Eagle Lakes - Aurora Ridge Trail - 12.2 Miles Round-Trip

The Aurora Ridge Trail is an under-rated 12.2 mile out and back leading to the remote Eagle Lakes. The lakes are a set of beautiful deep green pools that drain into majestic Lake Crescent.

The Aurora Ridge Trailhead is easily accessible, located just 2.5 miles off of Highway 101 in the Sol Duc Valley.

Leaving from the Aurora Ridge Trailhead (0.0 miles : 1,340’), the trail begins a gentle ascent through a riparian corridor lined with 100’ alders and young Sitka spruce. The understory is filled with shoulder-high sword ferns, bear grass and shiny Vanilla leaf.

Within a ½ mile, patches of salmonberry appear (0.5 miles : 1,630’) as the trail narrows into a slightly overgrown corridor. Gators or long pants will provide protection from stinging nettles and devil’s club.

Continuing, the trail reaches a distinct ecological break and begins an aggressive ascent (0.9 miles : 1.715’). Alders and ferns give way to Douglas fir and salal as the trail rises through a young coniferous forest.

Western hemlock and Douglas fir now dominate the forest canopy as the trail rises towards Aurora Ridge (1.5 miles : 2,155’).

At this point, the trail makes an aggressive push to the ridge gaining over 400’ in the next half mile (2.0 miles : 2,400’). 

Now officially on Aurora Ridge, the trail remains unchanged for the next 3 miles as it undulates up and over the knobs that dot the top of the ridge. Hikers will notice significant downfall caused by blow down and lightning strikes. Despite the off trail debris, the trail itself remains clear throughout.

The trail reaches its crest (5.0 miles : 3,470’) before rolling .6 miles to the well-marked Eagle Lakes Split (5.6 miles : 3,420’).

Turn left at the Eagle Lakes split and descend .5 miles and 380’ to the scenic outlet of main Eagle Lake, then the lake itself (6.1 miles : 3,040’).