Olympic national forest
Days are getting longer and sun shine is more frequent. Here is a compile from Microsoft employees on what to do and what not to do. I am providing this here so that non-Microsoftees can also benefit from the suggestions. Please use these suggestions at your own risk.
-MSCompile
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Check the leaving/return timings of cruise (as far as I know last one is at 11:00/11:30 PM) and visit information center after reaching the destination.
Make sure you have cruise phone numbers.
Make sure you have chains if you are visiting snow mountain.
Take the drive directions or rent a car which has GPS.
Remember you have to cross the lake with your car in the cruise and then continue the directions. Route is little tricky but not complex.
Information center has all the information you need.
Plan to leave early so that you can cover all the places.
Most of your journey will be driving and its really beautiful especially around the lake.
Spend less time in beach coz there is nothing really there to see unless you want to sit and njy the pacific ocean.
It can be seen in one day and it can also be seen by staying over there one night.
Since last return cruise is at 11:00 PM or 11:30 PM you have plenty of time to cover everything.
I suggest finish it off in one day by leaving early so that you can visit some other place.
Reply back if you need any specific information
Hurricane Ridge is the one you should not miss I believe, though I have never been to Olympics but heard about it couple of times.
Then Lake Crescent would be bit far from there, so not sure if you would be able to cover till there in a day. Rain Forest would be nearer to Hurricane Ridge
Even I’m going there for a full day. This is first time I’m visiting Olympic. What I got from various sources is that … You can do hiking in 3 areas: Beaches/Mountain/Forest. I checked few live cam pics of the mountain trails and all are coverd with a bit of snow. Not sure how often they update these images. Forest trails are all good as of now and may be a bit crowded. There is a hotspring near Boulder creek trail (Near Elwha or visitor info center) also few hot springs at sol duc area.
Try to cover one hot spring/water fall/ ford crossing?. ..if planning to do Forest hiking. And for beach hiking there are difficult to moderate trails .. for which you need to cross strips of sea (waist level) during low tide .. (check tide map for tide info) .. and Moutain hiking is always challenging … one particular trail lets you to a awesome view of mt. Olympus (heard! though) .. so looks like for a days hiking we can only cover one of the 3 hiking options.
If you get any suggestion please do let me know ..
It’s a beautiful place and has lot of different spots that you can chose to visit.
The important thing is to find out which spots will be open now. (Most of them are closed during winter)
You can find out by going to official parks website (google).
My favorite spot is Hurricane Ridge, its a view of the mountains.
If the weather is not good, then the clouds will cover the view.
Crescent lake is good, and it’s impossible to miss it, because it’s on the way to most places.
There are lot of trails and falls and you can pick anything based on your time/weather
This itinerary is very hectic for a day trip but possible.
1. Early morning leave for Hurricane Ridge. Couple of easy trails if you wish.
2. Go to Hoff Rainforest. Some great short trails here.
3. Go to one of the Olympic NP beaches and finish with a bonfire on the beach.
This would mean a return by the last ferry at mid-night or so, as I said tiring but you will have covered most imp points
You can search past archives here ..
http://msin/dacindian/archives.htm
Lake crescent, hurricane ridge
One day is tough.
Good spots are Hurricane Ridge, Crescent Lake, Sol Duc Falls (not hot springs).
One way drive to Hurricane Ridge is ~4 hrs from Bellevue. You can see a lot of deer grazing around there. Hike for some time – you’ll get to see better views.
Crescent Lake is approx 30 mins away from Hurricane Ridge. 12-14 mile long – just along the road.
Sol Duc waterfalls is another 45 mins from crescent lake.
Couple of links for you
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g143047-Activities-Olympic_Nation...
Let me be clear, I am new to Redmond , all the info I have is bits and pieces I got from friends , net .
Discover Bay and then to Port Angles visitor center – address : 115 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362 (360) 457-5432
Good places in Park : Hurricane Ridge, ,Spruce Railroad Trail , Hoh Rain Forest , Rialto Beach ,Deer Park ,Sol Duc River Valley ,Madison Falls Trail
http://www.logcabinresort.net/ - cottages to stay near Olympic national park .
www.portangeles.net -or- www.olympicnationalpark.org has some good info on places to see / stay etc
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