Recommendations for Olympic NP

[Savagelogic]

I'm planning a trip to washington this summer and plan on spending a few days seeing the sites of Olympic National Park, but I need some advice on where to go.

Personally I plan to make use of the trip to the park to get some landscape nature photos, but I'll have my family with me so the trip can't be totally photo concentrated. I don't think hiking more than 5 miles round trip would be possible, probably less than that. Also, we're planning on camping with my dad's tent trailer so a central place to stay and base our trips out of would be ideal.

Thanks.

[netadmin22]

I found the mix of rugged shoreline, beach, and logs to be extremely photogenic. After spending about 5 days in the park, almost all of my good images involved the sea in some form.

[lcupps]

Mt. Walker, on Hwy 101 heading North towards Sequim and Port Townsend is a great location. There is a spectacular set of waterfalls there that are under your requirement of 5 miles or less. There are some campgrounds in that area, but I cannot recall their names offhand. (been a couple years since I drove that way.:D )


It's a very central location, closely accessible by highway, and very short distances to other great "potenials". The Olympic Rainforest is close by, and also has some amazing landscape, and wildlife to boot!
http://www.nps.gov/olym/ is the link to the Parks Website. They should be able to give you more information. Have a great time.

______________________________________

Leah Cupps

[jinushaun]

I live in the state, but have never been. (Plan on going this summer) Must definitely want to visit the coast.

[sparker1]

There are 3 must see sections: the rain forest, the shore and Hurricane Ridge. Along the road to those you'll also see nice lakes. Port Townsend is a neat town. If you have time, take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC for a day.

[slacker]

I've heard good things about Hurricane Ridge as well. I'm going to try to make a run out to Hurricane Ridge myself when I drive up to visit my brother on Bainbridge Island later in June.

My last trip to visit my brother I hit Victoria for a day trip, well worth it if time permits. If you do decide to go and get a chance a take the Ferry to Victoria, I recommend the much faster passenger only ferry.

[Titus213]

There are 3 must see sections: the rain forest, the shore and Hurricane Ridge. Along the road to those you'll also see nice lakes. Port Townsend is a neat town. If you have time, take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC for a day.

Another vote for this. Great trip, lots of scenery. And believe it or not, sometimes it doesn't rain in the rain forest. Hurricane Ridge offers some great mountain shots with easy access to short, paved trails.