Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park – The day trip took me to the northwest corner of Olympic National Park and a beach camp in the evening.
In that piece of land with sand facing the forest, my mind was overflowing with the landscape, the connection with nature. Big green leaves hung over my tent, the waves of the sea absorbed the waves of the sea and I was transported another distance to a completely foreign place.
Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park
What little hope I had was dispelled by the Pacific sunset, as stunning as the Joshua Tree, the perfect white noise of the waves rolling in a faint beat. Tomorrow, I start walking the Pacific Northwest Trail.
South Olympics & South Puget Sound Hikes Guide By Imagination
With more than 70 kilometers of wild coastline, there are many hidden places, beaches and islands to explore. And on the coast you will find many types of nature, from sand and rocks to rocks and cliffs that fall into the sea.
Growing up, we weren’t a family that could drive a loop in a national park and see it off the list. We were told to row three kilometers across the lake, we stayed for three days, and we did it three years in a row to make sure we had a deep experience.
Backpacking is still my favorite form of diving, but I have increased my daily distance. That’s what brought me to Olympic National Park.
Cross-country trails are high on my list, and the Pacific Northwest Trail, which climbs from the edge of the Olympics to the high point of the Continental Divide, didn’t fail to impress. What I didn’t expect was a visit to Olympic National Park (and Washington in general); in a few days it seemed to me that I had passed through three seasons.
How To Visit Olympic National Park (budget Guide!)
The Hoh Rain Forest is so green that I had to wear sunglasses. Fortunately, the colored lenses were not missed by the herd of Roosevelt bulls that live here.
Things started with the waves, riding the salt water on the beach, before my path left the sand and entered the forest, and I was glad I had packed my umbrella: bits of green moss hanging from the tall trees, dripping. As he climbed the Olympic Mountains on the Bogachiel Trail, the moss disappeared, replaced by snow. It was as if everything was white.
This park almost touches the northwest corner of the US, sitting on a million-acre peninsula. It is the 13th largest national park in the country, it is very rainy with more than 200 centimeters of rain per year, and it is not easy to get to.
It’s a three-hour drive from Seattle—the closest city—to prepare for weather, clothing, and camping before the visit. this is not like walking in San Diego; if you forget anything, it goes back. During the walk, you will quickly discover that the paths go from sand to mud to ice at any time – the weather changes quickly and the ecosystem ends suddenly, there is always very little shelter. To compensate for frequent cleaning and wear and tear, some methods have ladders and ropes.
The 21 Best Hikes In Olympic National Park
Ultimately, the Olympics were one of the highlights of my trip, and I now recommend the area to anyone in the PNW who wants to explore a unique area—and who isn’t afraid of a little water. . To experience the park’s full breadth, here are five of my favorite hiking spots in Olympic National Park.
My recommended trip to Olympic National Park
This is one of the best ways to cross Olympic National Park to see its grandeur: the views begin before you leave the parking lot. After going back three times, summit 5,757-foot Hurricane Hill for a 360-degree view of the entire Olympic Peninsula. You’ll have views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Angeles and Canada to rival the best of Yellowstone.
The climb is gentle but steady, gaining about 650 feet over the course of 1.6 miles. As with the best hiking spots in the Grand Canyon, the exposure, altitude, and climate do not escape any dangerous weather conditions, so packing clothes for rain, snow, and warm weather is recommended.
Olympic Hot Springs — Washington Trails Association
No trip to Olympic National Park is complete without a trip to the beach. There is no real road from Rialto Beach to Hole-In-The-Wall. Rather, the coast is the path, and the footprints of others lead the way. Like covering Big Sur, bringing a map to identify islands and prominent rocks along the coast will enhance the experience.
On the way to Hole-In-The-Wall, I took off my shoes and enjoyed the sand between my toes. A bald eagle perched in the trees and a wave crashing under the blue sky are worth a visit. When I got to the arch, the tide was out so I could go inside.
This four-kilometer round trip offers the opportunity to see whales, sea lions, ospreys and eagles. . water
Enjoying the sunset over the Pacific Ocean as the waves lap my feet as I step out of my tent on my second night camping on the beach. Photo by Jeff Garmire
Hiking In The Olympic National Park
This grueling 19-kilometer course may be the Olympics’ worst-kept secret. However, if you check the reservation process (this year it runs from July 15 to October 15), an epic camping trip awaits. Most people do it counterclockwise, which provides an easy way to set up tents on the first night to the lakes. While you’re at the top, consider tagging along to Bogachiel Peak for a short side hike.
The trail starts at the top of Sol Duc Falls and soon begins to climb through the old growth forest. The river flows and the big trees block the noise outside. You continue, passing Deer Lake, finally leaving the forest, and the trail gets worse as it meets the open road. Be aware that the weather moves quickly, so be careful while taking in the views.
Spoiler: The Seven Lakes Basin has more than seven lakes, which only adds to the magic of the trail. I really enjoyed Lunch Lake and Heart Lake Basin, and Mt. Olympus rises above the clouds. Because of the mountainous region, the cold weather and the fog, it was completely different from the night I spent on the beach.
The view over Heart Lake on day 4 of my hike in Olympic National Park. Every evening the clouds came in and stuck to the tracks. Photo by Jeff Garmire
Reasons To Explore Olympic National Park
Sol Duc Falls is the shortest and easiest trail on this list with a round trip of 1.8 kilometers and a drop of 200 meters. However, this does not mean that it is not an important part of visiting here; the trail will redefine what you consider a dense, old growth forest!
This family-friendly trail begins near the site of the Hotel Sol Duc (destroyed by fire in 1912). Shadows cover most of the path over the dense forest above—a place of solitude broken only by the roar of autumn. It changes constantly, the descent is divided into several channels and cascades.
The moss throughout the Hoh Rainforest is so green it requires sunglasses. And an umbrella. With more than 200 inches of rain per year, it’s the coolest forest in the US, which helps make it home to wildlife that rivals Yellowstone’s best hiking.
For the full experience, the Hoh River Trail is 19 miles back to Blue Glacier. Keep in mind that 19 miles up is also 19 miles back, so many people do short hikes or camp at the preserves along the way. A typical day trip would be a two kilometer round trip without losing the experience.
The Five Best Olympic National Park Hikes To See It All
While walking the length of the Hoh River Trail, I enjoyed finding the largest leaves possible and using them as umbrellas in the rain. The size and shape of the trees, the growth and the vegetation make the forest look like there might be a secret colony of dinosaurs living there.
Depending on where you plan to visit, plan your trip carefully about the conditions. Since the park is about 8,000 meters above sea level, it is important to pack equipment for all four seasons. Snow, rain and hot sun can happen on the same day.
There are a variety of campsites in Olympic National Park, from walk-ins to fully serviced self-drive campsites. Wilderness permits can also be obtained for backpacking, allowing you to camp on the edge of Olympic National Park or in traditional campgrounds.
I really enjoyed my stay at Hoh Campground. In the small town of Forks and there were large trees with mud on the edge of the forest. It is free to distribute
