Glacier capped mountains, alpine meadows, spectacular Pacific coast, primeval forests, fish and wildlife, sparkling streams and lakes, Indian and pioneer history, biological diversity, exceptionally clean air, wilderness solitude... that is the description that the National Park Service assigns this park. Any of these standalone attributes is rich on its own merit--and at Olympic National Park in Washington state, you can experience them all in one day.
Catching views of the Pacific Ocean from the shores of Rialto Beach. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish
It is one of the few national parks, if not the only park, that contains within its boundaries alpine mountains, temperate old-growth rainforests, and oceanic coastline. The mountains of the Olympic Range are dramatic with their jagged, glacier-capped peaks that are continuously carved away by high-elevation winds. The forests are blanketed in technicolor green, enfolding you in a nucleus of living biology in what is arguably the greenest, lushest, and most diverse rainforest in all of North America. The Pacific Ocean rages wild, forming sea-stacks, living tide pools, and perfectly smoothed stones shaped by the world's largest ocean, laying ground for endless mounds of driftwood to sit on, to play on, and to throw on top of your by-the-sea campfire. These are not just words--there is a profound natural beauty in the great Pacific Northwest, and one of the finest samplings can be found in the Olympics.
While there are 168 miles of paved roads in the park, none of them travel deep into its interior. More than a dozen spur roads, along with 611 miles of hiking trails make it easier to access, however with such a wide variety of environments to play in it can be tough to know how to plan an adventure there. This article is designed to focus in on favorite areas in the mountains, the rainforests, and by the sea.
Wally the Airstream makes way into the Hoh Rainforest for some camping fun! Photo credit: Stefanie Payne
Weather eclipsed our photography at Hurricane Ridge this year so unfortunately, we have no photos of our own to illustrate the beautiful mountain-scape--so we share this instead, a wonderful shot of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center captured by the National Park Service.
Weather eclipsed our photography at Hurricane Ridge this year so unfortunately, we have no photos of our own to illustrate the beautiful mountain-scape--so we share this instead, a wonderful shot of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center captured by the National Park Service.
The Mountains
Washington state is a playground for mountain-lovers because of its glaciated peaks, rugged terrain, and alpine wilderness found in both the Olympic and North Cascade Ranges. The heart of the Olympic Mountain Range belongs to Mt. Olympus (7,980-feet) and Hurricane Ridge (5,242 feet), the latter being the most popular area to explore in the mountainous section because of its improbable accessibility. Within its confines live sub-alpine forests, shimmering alpine lakes, and meadows known for outstanding bursts of wildflowers that color the landscape during the spring and summer months. Arguably more impressive is Hurricane Hill, an exposed mountaintop overlooking the world with views of the Pacific Coast 33 miles westward. Off-road vehicles that are equipped to crawl the alpine terrain can head out for exploration of the narrow dirt roads of Obstruction Point and/or Deer Park where wildlife sighting are common. The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center also offers tremendous views and is available to anyone with a car and a map who wishes to go there. During ski season, the area transforms into a winter wonderland where freshly laid powder invites snowshoers, alpine and cross-country skiers, boarders, and kids of all ages keen to fly down the hill on a sled or intertube.
A beautiful example of the diverse terrain at Olympic National Park. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish
The Rainforest
Do you believe in magic? How about magical places? The Hoh Rainforest is proof that they exist. Under the canopy, the health of the ancient rainforest is evident--every square inch of land beneath your feet and all of the area surrounding you is drenched with vegetation, tree bark, leaves, and foliage. National Geographic Travel notes that moss-covered Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock trees reach heights of up to 300 feet. It is otherworldly. Supernatural. One of our dear friends described it as "absolute chaos"--and it is in the very best way. It's a little bit like a Monet painting--picturesque from even the smallest distance but incredibly detailed when you have a closer look.
The best way to explore Hoh is to set out on the Hoh River Trail meandering through an enchanting world of old-growth trees and its colorful backdrop on a flat and easy trail. If you follow the trail to Five-Mile Island and back to the Visitor Center from where you started you will have wandered 10 miles through spruce, cedar, fir, and other coniferous trees that helped to earn Washington the name "The Evergreen State." The best part about this trail is that it is relatively non-committal--you can easily turn back any time you please and you never feel as though you are missing "major viewpoints" because the major viewpoints are all around you, the entire way.
High on life in the Hoh Rainforest. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish
The Coast
Stretching 73 miles aside the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park is a coastline that provides some of the best beach camping, beachcombing, tide-pooling, and general discovery that there is anywhere in the nation. Look left and you'll see the ocean; look to the right, the forest. And straight ahead is just beach and all that comes with it--stones smoothed by the ocean, stretches of sand, giant mounds of driftwood, towering rock formations on land and sea-stacks off shore, and birds soaring above the roaring icy-blue Pacific Ocean. One of the most popular areas is Mora's Hole-in-the-Wall for its amazing geology, tide-pools, and forest trails that wind aside the beachfront--a fine place to pitch a tent! We've camped at both Third Beach and Second Beach in the past, and they are remarkable as well. With such a long stretch of national park-protected shore, variety is on your side--no two beaches are the same and they all welcome different experiences to be had in each of them.
Having fun with the natural landscape at Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park. Photo credit: Stefanie Payne