Washington State / Olympic National Park

[jphilp87]

Has anyone here been to Olympic National Park? Done any camping up there?

My wife and I are flying to Seattle and we are going to camp throughout Olympic National Park. Hopefully, we will get to Victoria and Vancouver Canada as well. We camped Yellowstone and Grand Teton a few years ago. I cant wait!

Any tips on where to go? Cool things to do up there? Good places to camp?

 

[sgt z]

jphilp87
Its been a long time but I camped up there once in 1994. I stuck my fingers in the Ho. Watch out for the slugs, they get up to about 7 inches in the rain forest. I can't member all, but it was fun. There are some hot springs out there and regret not visiting them. The coast is cool, there are hay stack like rock formations. I remember one with a lone pine growing out of top. A large hole in a rock along the coast but can't recall the name. The hall of mosses looks like a scene from a Star Wars Movie when Luke is with Yoda. Have Fun. I stayed on San Juan Island once (1992) near Victoria Island, deer tame as house cats. Whale watching Bring some warm clothes and wet gear. Take Care Roger

 

[CajunTim]

When are you going? I was stationed in Tacoma from 97-01
http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/
http://www.mountainloopexperience.com/index.cfm
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=false
http://www.spaceneedle.com/
http://www.topofvancouver.com/
http://www.vanaqua.org/home/
Mt. St. Helens isnt that far of a drive http://www.olywa.net/radu/valerie/StHelens.html
As for as camping, I camped on average of 10 days a month all in the "backyard" on Lewis so on my own time I usually stayed indoors.

If you have any questions ask away, I was actually hoping to get up that way labor day weekend and watch LSU beat up on the Huskies. I got family and friends still up there at Lewis.

 

[Lewgee]

HURRICANE RIDGE, it is awesome

Lots of great day hikes on the Peninsula there is one called Duckabush I think that ends at a cold mountain lake, which after a 7 mile uphill hike is NICE.

The Orcas can be fun, if you have time to spare spend 2 days doing the Orcas, the view from the top of Mount Constitution is killer on a clear day and if you catch the ferries right you can have some time on the island and make it back to the Peninsula on the last boat.

Marymere falls is a 1 mile? hike pretty flat right off the road near Lake Crescent.

I am heading up in July for three weeks to do a big family reunion!!

There are some good white water rafting outfits that run the Cascade rivers even the Class 3 rivers when they are running are a kick in the arse!

Rainier may be a little out of your way... and it is hit or miss, you might leave in the morning and see the mountain the whole ride down.. then you get there and it is socked in with clouds and can't see anything.

Catch a Mariner's game at Safeco field?
Whale watching boat ride?

Watch the insane tidal range moving through the strait....

 

[jphilp87]

Awesome info guys. I'll look into your suggestions! Keep em coming!

Tim: I'm going In late July. Got a good deal on flight and a rental. I REALLY WANT TO GO TO THE LSU game up there! Maybe I can talk the wife into a second trip!

 

[eganx]

I grew up on the olympic peninsula, so I have spent a lot of time out there. I haven't been out there aside to visit family in a few years though. if you would like I can put you in touch with my dad, he has spent the majority of his life fly fishing and camping in western WA, so he knows all the good places.

my favorite spot is shi shi beach(not sure on spelling) its on the coast. its the third bay south of the tip of washgington. absolutely beautiful. only an hour hike in, not too many people know about it or go out there. IM me if you want info on how to get there, or if you have any questions about a particular place, river etc.

oh, check out Port Townsend too. a cool funky town. they have some good pacific north west style beer too.

like I said I grew up out there, if you have and questions just ask

 

[jphilp87]

Awesome! Thanks for all the Tips! I got a couple books off ebay for cheap. I'm going to do some reading and I may get in touch with you if I have any questions EGANX! thanks!

- Phil