O L Y M P I C    N A T I O N A L    P A R K

Lake Crescent ( see Kids' POV )

Lake Crescent is a glacier-carved lake in the northern part of the park. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the Pacific Northwest. There are a few different places to stay along the lake, including the Log Cabin Resort and the Lake Crescent Lodge. We stayed in a chalet at Log Cabin Resort; our patio was about 15 feet from the water. The pictures below were taken from there. [Note: We always try to be impartial, but we truly enjoyed our stay at the resort and want to recommend it. There is a restaurant with a view of the lake, and the food was very good. Our rental was small but clean, with no television in the room, but with a small refrigerator in the 'kitchen.' During the evening, a few deer wandered among the buildings and passed right through our 'back yard.']

As often happens on our trips, the weather wasn't as good as we were hoping. We've read that the view is even better when the sky is clear. Mount Storm King looms over the east end, but we weren't able to see it during our trip.

Hurricane Ridge ( see Kids' POV )

Named for the sudden storms that can blow up the ridge during the winter, Hurricane Ridge is probably the best-known view area in the park. Visitors enter at Port Angeles and follow the winding road to the top. From there, you can see all the most dramatic peaks of the Olympic mountain range. We believe the visitor center is open year round, but there are signs advising that visitors check the weather before heading up.

There are also some viewpoints along the drive that are worth a stop. Despite the clouds, we were able to see Dungeness Spit (known for its crabs) quite clearly, and we were amazed to spot Mt. Baker in the distance as well as Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, Canada. We can only imagine what it would have been like if the sky had been crystal clear.

Ruby Beach

Named for its red-tinged rocks (which we didn't even really notice), Ruby Beach has some impressive seastacks.  Follow the short trail to the beach, cross over the many logs at the end of the path, and you'll be walking the smooth rounded stones of Ruby Beach.  The beauty of the seastacks, the crashing waves and the gentle ocean breeze are oh, so soothing.  We truly could have stayed there for hours.

Marymere Falls ( see Kids' POV )

90-foot Marymere Falls is one of the more famous attractions in the area. It's an easy hike, less than two miles round-trip, and mostly pretty level until the end. It's not a roaring, gushing waterfall like many in the northwest. It's actually thin, gracefully pouring from the top to splash on some large rocks, then plunging down again to reach the pool at the bottom. It's a lovely sight, and it's easy to get to the trailhead. You can start from either the Storm King ranger station or from the Lake Crescent Lodge. On the way back, we spotted a pair of deer in the forest. They spotted us, too, but didn't mind us at all. Instead of running, they just continued to wander through the brush searching for food.

Hoh Rainforest

One of the most amazing things you can find in Olympic National Park is rainforest, one of the few temperate rainforests in the world. The mountains act as a wall, blocking clouds from crossing the range and trapping much of the moisture on the west side of the mountains. That gives the forest 10 to 14 feet of rain annually!

We only had time for a quick stroll during our first trip, since we were pressed for time. Next time we go we'd like to spend a few hours walking around. There are numerous trails around, here and at the Quinault rainforest. Just be sure to wear the right gear and be ready for wet conditions.

Mt. Walker Viewpoint

On Hwy 101, near Brinnon, about halfway between Olympia and Port Angeles, there is a sign for the Mount Walker Viewpoint. If you don't mind driving on a quiet, narrow gravel road with a few potholes and bumps, and if the sky is clear enough, you can look across Hood Canal and across Puget Sound to see Seattle far in the distance. Maybe you'll even be able to spot Mt. Rainier even farther off. It does take a clear sky, though. When we went the first time it was pretty overcast, and we were just barely able to make out downtown Seattle from a viewpoint near the top. The second time we went, it was clearer, but still hazy.  We did see Seattle, but we figured it wouldn't come out clear enough in a photo, and we were right. But we took it anyway.  Look in upper-left of the first photo below, and you may barely be able to make out a slightly darker splotch.  That's Seattle.  I need a longer zoom, or a clearer day, or both.  

Make sure you drive all the way to the top for some spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains to the west, and more scenery to the east.

Kalaloch Beach & Campground (see Kids' POV)

We spent three days at the Kalaloch [klay-lock, I think] campground.  The first two were very soggy days.  We were pretty miserable.  It did eventually clear up toward the end of the second day, and ended beautifully enough to take the sunset photos below.  Kalaloch are a few tidepools nearby, some better ones a short drive away.  The campground is right next to the Kalaloch Lodge, which has its own little general store.  Very handy when we were looking for a snack.  

We had a campfire the last two nights, and as you can see, we had a little visitor trying to steal some of our food.  

Lake Crescent
There were ducks in the lake, and there were deer walking around the vicinity and within the resort in which we were staying. The kids were amazed to see deer walking only ten feet away from our 'back door.' They enjoyed sitting at the picnic table and simply watching the waves and the clouds floating past the surrounding mountains.

BACK

Hurricane Ridge
The kids like the up-and-downs of the mountains, and they liked knowing that they were up so high.  The visitor center's cafe has a view of the mountains and tasty hot dogs; the kids liked them a lot.

BACK

Marymere Falls
At every place we go with even the most civilized trails, the kids love to go hiking. This trail was no exception. The kids had only a little trouble crossing the two narrow log bridges; everything else was just fine. The trail is mostly level, though there are lots of steps at the end.

BACK

Kalaloch Beach & Campground
The tidepools were the kids' favorite part, although only one of them (amazingly, the younger) had the nerve to touch the starfish.  The liked climbing the rocks and digging in the sand, as always.

 
BACK