During early August 2013, Liz and I took a wonderful trip along the coast of Washington. We hiked the 10-mile Ozette Loop in a relaxing in 3 days! The weather ranged from fog and rain to clear and warm, giving us the full spectrum of North Coast weather.
On the beach, we witnessed a female Peregrine Falcon take down and eat a juvenile Olympic Gull while Bald Eagles hunted the tidepools - talk about nature red in tooth and claw! We even saw mountain lion tracks in the sand and a least weasel in our campsite. The trip was great, the crowds were small, the campsites quiet, and the wildlife was grand.
The only thing that detracted from our experience was the poor condition of the boardwalk trail. Some sections were so rotten that we spread out to reduce the chance that our combined weight would collapse the foundation. Repairs had started and stopped over the years, but it sure would be nice if the trail were fixed once and for all.
Sincerely,
Olympic National Park
Exploring Olympic’s dynamic landscape is like visiting three parks in one. The high mountains offer snow, glaciers, wilderness and — if you time it right — acres of wildflowers. The lush, verdant Hoh Rainforest is unlike anything else in the Lower 48, and home to Roosevelt elk, black bears and other charismatic wildlife. And the park’s stunning coast offers some of the country's wildest and most spectacular beaches, dotted with tide pools and sea stacks. Visitors can now see where park staff recently removed two large dams, letting the Elwha River flow freely again for the first time in more than 100 years.
State(s): Washington
Established: 1938
“We need wild places because, as a friend with limited English skills once said, "it cleans my brain."”
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Greetings from Olympic National Park
Enjoying a soak in Sol Duc Hot Springs on a clear September morning! The springs get pretty crowded later in the day, but early is like having a private pool to yourself. So peaceful ....
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Greetings from Olympic National Park
Strolling through the Redwoods of Olympic National Park late last Summer, I was reminded of how little we are. The Staircase area of the park that I visited took me back in time instantaneously. It gave me a sense of gratefulness that generations before me had preserved one of our…
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