Olympic National Park ~ what can you share, about going right now? (Olympia: stores, trailer)

[mdvaden]

Since I can't even drive a pick into the ground this week, it crossed my thoughts whether to go to the Olympic National Park the end of this week. Wanted to go this month later. But maybe its worth an earlier visit.

Anybody been there, and have you ever been there when its freezing at night, but above freezing in the daytime?

I'm not quite certain what the forecast is going to be Friday to Sunday.

Want to take photos, and I'm guessing the moss bounces back okay when the temps are above freezing. Lake Quinault is probably the area I want to visit this time.

Any thoughts?

[StealthRabbit]

get outta Portland / Gorge influence on Thursday!!, Freezing rain coming Friday, Sat and Sun

Port Angeles
7-Day Forecast for Latitude 47.98°N and Longitude 123.26°W (Elev. 2522 ft)

lake Quinault 98575 (light snow beats freezing rain )
7-Day Forecast for Latitude 47.44°N and Longitude 123.76°W (Elev. 1594 ft)

[JustCallMeTC]

It's a National Park full of Scenic Splendor. If you're lucky and weather cooperates, you should get some amazing shots.

"Must sees" if the weather permits.

Hurricane Ridge




Lake Cresent





Sol Duc





Neah Bay



Lake Quinalt




Port Townsend

[Dendrite]

Those are nice summer pictures of the park but the OP in wanting to go now, e.g. December...

Check out the park website: Olympic National Park - Webcams (U.S. National Park Service)

The webcams will give you an idea of what's happening weather and travel wise. For example, this is the view from the ranger station at Hurricane Ridge today:

http://nps.gov/ns/olym/photosmultimedia/webcams/current_ridgecam.jpg?1452570 (broken link)

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Dendrite

Those are nice summer pictures of the park but the OP in wanting to go now, e.g. December...

Check out the park website: Olympic National Park - Webcams (U.S. National Park Service)

The webcams will give you an idea of what's happening weather and travel wise. For example, this is the view from the ranger station at Hurricane Ridge today:

Thank you all.

Yes, the visit will be this winter. I'll be pulling a trailer and probably won't go up hills, although I could park it, and have 4x4 and 4 tire chains.

But probably will go into the lowlands, I will check out those webcams. Slipped my mind to consider that they may have some.

Also like those photos above. I went on Google Earth to see where those are at last night. That hurricane ridge is pretty cool looking.

[Dendrite]

So here's an idea for you. Since you're in Beaverton, why not jump on I-5 north and cut across on Hwy 12 (or up to Olympia and take Hwy 8) over to Aberdeen/Hoquiam. From there pick up Hwy 101 and take it up to the south end of the park. The roads should be reasonably good (even this time of year) for pulling a trailer as most of the way you'll be at fairly low elevation. Take the Quinault entrance and you're there.

IMO, the south end of the park is the best! Quinault is pristine (not that the rest of the Oly Park isn't) and you'll have the "whole place to yourself" in December. Most tourists head for the visitor center at Hoh, while Quinault and Kalaloch seem to be less visited and are worth the trip for this reason alone- at least if you're looking for a bit more solitude.

Enjoy!

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Dendrite

So here's an idea for you. Since you're in Beaverton, why not jump on I-5 north and cut across on Hwy 12 (or up to Olympia and take Hwy 8) over to Aberdeen/Hoquiam. From there pick up Hwy 101 and take it up to the south end of the park. The roads should be reasonably good (even this time of year) for pulling a trailer as most of the way you'll be at fairly low elevation. Take the Quinault entrance and you're there.

IMO, the south end of the park is the best! Quinault is pristine (not that the rest of the Oly Park isn't) and you'll have the "whole place to yourself" in December. Most tourists head for the visitor center at Hoh, while Quinault and Kalaloch seem to be less visited and are worth the trip for this reason alone- at least if you're looking for a bit more solitude.

Enjoy!

So .... it was a short trip just to get introduction to the area. Sort of like seeing the tip of the iceberg. Stopped in at a lounge & cafe in Quinault first, and some locals shared about the area. Also went up to Kalaloch to photograph the Kalaloch redcedar up there, see coastline, and look for the lodges, gas and stores for future. Wandered in the woods some too.

Pretty sure that Quinault will be where I go for a longer hike next time. The park is so enormous, it might take me 5 years to just work around the edges.