The Best Way to See It All
|
Whether hiking or taking a leisurely stroll, there's no better way to experience the Olympic Peninsula than on foot. Take your pick of seven unique beaches, well groomed hiking trails in Washington, meandering creeks and magnificent ancient forests to explore a few hours away from Seattle. "Easy access" hiking trails are designed for people of all ages and abilities, and ideal for families.
|
|
Kalaloch Hiking
From Kalaloch Lodge, drive 7 miles north to Ruby Beach to see its garnet colored sand and towering sea stacks. Try Beach Trail 4 to access surf fishing, tide pools and seal or whale watching in washington. To explore deeper parts of the coastal forest, try the Kalaloch Nature Trail.
Or travel 20 miles north to the turn off into the Hoh Rainforest and 18 miles in to the Rainforest Visitor Center, where you'll find three easy loop trails, a hiking trail that is wheelchair accessible, and one longer trail for those wishing to camp overnight in nothern Washington area. Please note that hiking trails to the beach at Kalaloch are not wheelchair accessible - most are 500 to 1000 feet long and several are steep hiking trails.
Hiking Guide: Kalaloch Hiking Brochure (PDF)
Sol Duc Hiking
At Sol Duc Hot Springs Lodge, the famous Lover's Lane Loop (six miles round-trip) is accessible from the back of the resort. This hike leads you into the old growth forest, along the Sol Duc River, crossing at Sol Duc Falls in northwest Washington. This is one of the popular hiking trails in the Sol Duc Area.
For longer hikes or overnight camping (permit required), the Seven Lakes Basin area offers Mountain Lake and excellent views of Mount Olympus from High Divide. Heart Lake in the Seven Lakes Basin area is the only Washington camping area to make the Wilderness Society's top 10 romantic nature outings as reported in the Peninsula Daily News in 2010 in Washington.
Hiking Guide: Sol Duc Hiking Brochure (PDF)
Lake Crescent Hiking
At Lake Crescent Lodge, the Marymere Falls Hiking Trail is 3/4 of a mile from the Storm King Ranger Station in northwest Washington. The 90-foot drop from Falls Creek into a small plunge pool is a fairly flat hike through old growth forest, except for the final approach, which is fairly steep. This fall is generally available for year-round views, and during the summer months the National Park offers nature tours in northwest Washington.
At mile-high Hurricane Ridge, during the summer season a hike to Hurricane Hill on a clear day can offer a 360-degree view, north across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, Canada or the southern view of the glacier clad Mount Olympus. While walking the hiking trail view sub-alpine flowers like lupine, Indian Paintbrush and avalanche lilies. Be listening for the whistle of a marmot, which are frequently seen and heard in this northwest Washington area. Whistle back to the marmot and he will whistle back to you.
Starting at Fairholm General Store, you can continue on down the Camp David Junior Road on the north side of Lake Crescent from Fairholm to hook up with the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Spruce Railroad Trail, which takes you near a couple of train tunnels. On a clear day in this area you can look deep into the pristine lake and make out the shadows of a train engine that fell into the lake many years ago.
Hiking Guide: Lake Crescent Hiking Brochure (PDF)
Interpretive Barnes Creek Hike
Olympic National Park in Washington protects nearly one million acres of land, and 95% of that is designated Wilderness. Get a taste of journeying into the heart of Olympic wilderness on this guided hike that follows the Barnes Creek ravine, home to the rare Crescenti cutthroat trout in northwest Washington. The trail has a few challenging steep sections, and there will be a creek-side break at the half-way point, an ideal place for a picnic lunch. Cost $35; Length: 2 ½ hours.
Interpretive Marymere Falls Hike
Walk with a Lodge Guide through one of the last remaining stands of ancient Pacific Northwest Washington forests and feel the spray of 90-foot Marymere Falls as you breathe some of the cleanest air around. Learn about the people who have hiked this trail throughout history, and the different ways they have used the unique plants that grow here in northwest Washington. This hiking trail is mostly flat until it climbs a staircase built for viewing the falls. Cost: Free; Length: 1 ½ hours.
Interpretive Moments in Time Night Hike
When night falls, the primeval forest surrounding Lake Crescent Lodge is transformed into a moon-lit landscape. This easy 1-hour hike allows visitors to explore the forest’s “changing of the guard” as the night light illuminates the lives of nocturnal animals. Cost: Free; Length: 1 hour.
Interpretive Mount Storm King Hike
Mount Storm King looms behind the lodge at an impressive 4,537 feet of elevation in northwest Washington. This strenuous 3-hour hike will go to the end of the park-maintained trail at a spectacular viewpoint; guests who choose to venture beyond this point will be advised to use great caution and hike at their own risk. During the 2,000-foot elevation gain, guests will learn about the different forest zones and unique geology of the Olympic Mountains. Cost $35 Length: 3 hours.
Lake Quinault Hiking
Hiking is a natural way to explore this special Washington area nearby Seattle. Short or long, leisurely or invigorating, you'll find a great variety of hikes here. There are more than 15 well-maintained trails for you to explore, each offering a different perspective on this diverse ecosystem. These hiking trails are a great way to experience the Quinault Valley, so you may want to hike more than once during your visit. Please feel free to ask the Lake Quinault Lodge front desk for a map of these hiking trails in the Washington area. Here are our five most popular hiking trails for you to consider:
The Big Spruce Tree Trail:
Only a couple minutes in length and an easy walk, this hiking trail is a great warm up. The hiking trail goes to the largest Sitka Spruce Tree known and can be accessed from a gravel pull off at the Rain Forest Resort Village about a mile from the Lodge in Washington.
US Forest Service Nature Trail System:
Located across from the Lodge are several miles of inter-connected, beautiful nature hiking trails complete with occasional interpretive signing. Hikes as short as a half mile are available.
Maple Glade:
If you are a rain forest enthusiast this is what you came to Washington to see. The Maple Glade Hiking Trail is only a half mile in length but absolutely beautiful. Huge, Big Leaf Maples are found throughout the Washington area and are draped with streamers of moss and ferns. In the early morning or late evening the low angle of the sun back lights the huge leaves and the forest displays every color of green one can imagine. This is an easy hiking trail with no hills and is maintained by the Park Service.
Kestner Homestead Trail:
Anton Kestner arrived here in 1889 and set about claiming his land under the Federal Homestead Act. He and his family lived on the North Shore homesteading the land for many years. The Park Service has developed a trail into the Homestead which is in the first phase of restoration. Visit the Park Service Visitors Center and the Maple Glades Trail for a glimpse into the past and hike this trail alone or with the Park Ranger during scheduled walks.
The Big Cedar Trail:
This short trail, recently constructed by the Washington Conservation Corp, does have some high steps as you climb the hillside. Once at the top, which is about a 15 minute hike, you will see the enormous Cedar Tree some have called the Hobbit Tree in Washington.
Hiking Guide: Lake Quinault Hiking Brochure (PDF)
Hurricane Ridge Hiking
Hurricane Ridge offers great hiking with many hiking trails, along with its winter skiing program in northwest Washington. We recommend you start at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center where exhibits, orientation movie and restrooms are available year-round. The information desk is staffed in the summer and on the weekends from late December to late March. Ranger programs are offered starting in late June through September. A gift shop with snack bar is open mid May to late September, as well as weekends starting in mid December to late March.
The Hurricane Ridge Road in Washington is open 24 hours a day from mid-May into October. The rest of the year it opens (weather permitting) primarily on weekends. Call 360-565-3131 for a 24-hour road and weather recording. Picnic Areas A and B (summer only), one mile beyond the visitor center, have restrooms, water and paved trails to tables. In winter, visitors may picnic upstairs in the visitor center.
Regulations: Please stay on designated trails and do not feed wildlife. Pets and bicycles are not permitted on paved or dirt trails.
Hiking Guide: Hurricane Ridge Hiking Brochure (PDF)