Ron Bexel
Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park – A trip to the Olympic Peninsula is great, but there’s nothing like seeing the forests, mountains and water within walking distance. From low-mileage trails to day hikes, the Olympic Peninsula has plenty to offer. Let’s take a look at what makes the Olympics one of the crown jewels of the Pacific Northwest and National Park.
From the Ho River Visitor Center, there are many options, from a mile of the Moses Trail to a full day on the Ho River Trail. The best day trip is the 10.6 mile round trip to Five Mile Island.
Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park
You can’t visit Olympic National Park without hiking the Hurricane Ridge area. This paved trail is a treasure trove for all ages and abilities, and features some spectacular mountain and water views, including parts of Vancouver Island, BC and the San Juan Islands.
Explore Washington: Hike Mount Storm King In Olympic National Park
This North Hood Canal tour has a reason: panoramic views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, Hood Canal, Lake Cushman, Puget Sound, and Seattle. Mountain goats and marmots also do well.
This Pacific coast walk offers views of the ocean and forested islands, sea stacks and surf. Walk through the rock arch and explore the ever-growing fountains. Or dry your feet on the way up and take in the amazing views. Dogs are allowed on a leash on the beach all the way to Ellen Creek.
Located in the Sol Duck Valley near the town of Forks, this popular hike on the Olympic Peninsula is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Northwest. Keep it short or sweet. Just a mile from the falls, the parking lot is set back from the road.
Whether for an hour or a full day, you’ll find some of the most beautiful forest trails just a few miles from Highway 101. Stop at a popular inn for a trail map. The four-mile Lake Quinault Loop Trail is a great trail through old-growth forests and deciduous forest.
Best Things To Do In Olympic National Park
Take a historic and scenic walk along the shores of Lake Crescent. Almost no height, but lake and mountain views. A great option for kids (and dogs). One great way is to cross the bridge over Devil’s Punchbowl.
If you want to do a few miles on the Olympic Peninsula trail without high altitude, this is the perfect day to hike. Hike through rainforest, coastal forests and wetlands and spot bald eagles and marine mammals. Do one or more of the 3.1 mile Pacific Ocean walks or complete the triangle. Check the tide at 9.2 miles before departure. And if you plan to camp on the beach, you need a permit and a can of food.
If you want to keep your feet at sea level, hit the longest natural sand pipe in the United States. The resort features water and mountain views and is home to a variety of marine wildlife. At the end of the road is the new Dungeness lighthouse.
Looking to go all day with something really challenging? It’s 3,000 feet high and Olympic National Park has all the gems you want: forest trails, waterfalls, lakes, streams, and Alpine views.
Olympic Hot Springs — Washington Trails Association
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Figuring out how to see the most of Olympic National Park can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. With nearly one million acres of parkland to explore and explore in four stylish and diverse regions, there’s plenty to see. While many people choose to go backpacking in remote areas of the park (with proper permits), there are some great day hikes that are easy to scale down and make the Olympics one. of the crown jewels. Pacific Northwest.
Here are 10 tours not to be missed. Some are smaller so you can combine them with others for better exploration. And most, if you choose, can be extended into overnight backpacking trips or longer day hikes in the area.
Located on the coast and in the Olympic National Park area, these circuits will take you to the beach and the surrounding soft forest. Cape Álava is rich in petroglyphs and artifacts from the indigenous people who lived there for more than 2,000 years. The park has a lot of wildlife.
Everything You Need To Know About The Hurricane Ridge Hike
Looking for a great day pack? Check out our review of the 5 Best Women’s Days 2018. Enchanted Valley Trail to Pony Bridge – 5 miles round trip
Drive through the vast coastal rainforest, between ancient trees and numerous waterfalls. The road is wet and muddy most of the year, but it takes you through nature at its best. The Quinault Forest receives about 150 inches of rain per year. Hikers can take a dip in the Enchanted Valley where the East Fork Quinault River flows.
Hurricane Hill is one of the most popular hikes in Olympic National Park, but don’t let that put you off. The views of the Olympic Mountains, the Elwha River Valley, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are spectacular. Summer wildflowers and wandering mountain goats are a plus.
Mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) on Hurricane Hill. Photo by Tyson Gillard. Klahane Ridge Trail + Sunrise Point – 5.6 miles round trip
Olympic National Park In Washington, Best And Least Crowded Trails And Hikes
Although this trail is as popular as Hurricane Hill and begins near the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Area, a different trail is used up Hurricane Hill. This hike offers a little more freedom from other park visitors and offers spectacular views from Sunrise Point. The summit is open and under the sun, so if you can visit on a cloudless day, bring your sunglasses for a better view.
These two short trails can be combined into one hike, and if you’re visiting the humid, mossy, and rain-soaked Hoh Rain Forest, these trails will take you overland. Throughout the old growth forest you will see western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and moss covered big leaf maples. Don’t forget to bring rain boots and a waterproof jacket.
The Cedar Loop Trail is located just outside of Olympic National Park in a recreational section of the Quinault National Forest. The trail runs along Lake Quinault and the old growth forest that surrounds it. Another way dirt becomes your friend, come get wet and you’ll miss the beauty of nature.
If you’re visiting Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, you’ll want to skip the short hike to Sol Duc Falls. The 50 meter long waterfall plunges into a narrow gorge, and the result is quite impressive. The view and the bridge over the waterfall make for a beautiful photo. Backpacking on the High Divide Trail continues from here.
Plan Your Trip To Olympic National Park
The long exposure makes the Sol Duck waterfall appear soft. Photo by Daniel Sherman. Skokomish River Rapids Loop Trail – 2.2 miles
East, or Hood Canal, part of Olympic National Park, the Staircase Ranger Station is the starting point for a short and scenic hike on the Skokomish River. It’s drier here than in the west of the peninsula, but that doesn’t mean the roads aren’t dirt. Cross the suspension bridge and head toward Stair Rapids, where you’ll enjoy river views from several spots.
It’s a bit of a climb to get to Lake Lena, but it’s not too strenuous and requires a lot of effort. Lake Lena is located outside the National Park in the Olympic National Forest. However, the forest still has a lot of old growth and amazing views. Many hikers visit Lake Lena in the summer and have the opportunity to go deeper into the woods with the nearby Brothers Wilderness.
The most difficult day hike on this list requires 2,650 feet of elevation gain to reach Royal Basin Falls. Permission must be obtained to visit. But with this, you will have less chance to see the Olympic National Park at its best. After visiting the beautiful waterfalls and the nearby Royal Pool, if you’re riding, continue the 500 meter walk to the Upper Royal Basin for a truly spectacular and intimate Olympic experience. Olympic day trips. National Park Map Guide “Where should we go today?” It was designed to answer the question. These maps take the amazing and expressive form of a beautiful topographical map created by Jake Ground and combine it with small descriptions of all 84.
