Search and rescue teams continued operations Monday in Olympic National Park for a missing visitor who slipped and fell over Sol Duc Falls on Sunday afternoon, park officials confirmed.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:48 p.m. when the individual—believed to be in their late teens or early twenties—lost footing while attempting to cross a moss-covered rock near the center of the falls. Witnesses said the person briefly resurfaced downstream after plunging over the 50-foot cascade before disappearing beneath the swift, churning waters.
Emergency responders from Clallam County Fire District No. 2, Olympic National Park rangers, and the Clallam swift water rescue team quickly arrived at the scene. After clearing the immediate area without locating the individual, crews shifted their focus to a cove farther downstream, considered a possible shelter point.
Search efforts have included a combination of high-angle rope systems, drones, and coordinated ground sweeps to comb the rugged terrain surrounding the falls.
Sol Duc Falls is known for its striking beauty—and its danger. Wet, mossy rocks and fast-flowing water make footing treacherous, especially during peak runoff. In recent years, multiple visitors have required rescue after slipping near the falls, including a teenager and an adult in separate incidents.
Park officials are once again urging visitors to stay on marked trails and behind protective barriers, emphasizing the increased risks posed by high water levels and slippery conditions.
The search remains active. Anyone with information, photos, or videos that may aid the investigation is asked to contact Olympic National Park authorities.
