Washington roadtrip (Seattle, Olympia, Edmonds: beaches, ferry, parks)

[michael11747]

Hey guys, I will be driving up the Washington coast, around the Olympic peninsula, through Seattle, maybe Mt. Rainier, and south east Washington. What should I see and do here? We love hiking and outdoors stuff, and would love to hear suggestions on cool little spots most people don't get to see.

[Inkpoe]

When?

[michael11747]

We will be in Washington in mid August.

[WillynillyTalc]

Take your time and make frequent stops. Enjoy the scenery and take some time in the little towns you come across.

[Inkpoe]

This thread gives great ideas: //www.city-data.com/forum/washi...mid-march.html

You're coming at the most perfect time to visit WA. Everywhere is going to look good.

[Idunn]

Assuming you will be driving clockwise around the Olympic peninsula on US 101, some areas of interest could be Quinault, Hoh rain forest, and Hurricane Ridge. Aside from the frequent scars of logging it is a lovely drive. North of Quinault the road parallels the coast for a way, so easy access to some wild beaches. Just before Port Angeles the road curves along the shoreline of lovely Crescent lake. The beautiful Olympic mountains within Olympic National Park reside as a pristine island, with no road through them. Only points of access around the periphery. So you have a number of options, these only a few.

Should it prove convenient, Quinault Lodge at Quinault would be nice. This picturesque spot also affords access to the Park, and some good hiking.

Accessing the Hoh rain forest will prove a bit of a detour, but the reason why so many venture to this largely empty side of the peninsula.

Hurricane Ridge is an easily accessed vantage high within Olympic National Park, just south of Port Angeles. In winter the road tends to only be open on weekends, and even then might be closed due conditions. Otherwise but a short drive way up, and worth it.

Taking the ferry from Kingston, or perhaps Port Townsend via Whidbey island and another ferry, to Seattle can be interesting and lovely. However continuing the loop of US 101 to venture south through such places as Lilliwaup makes for a scenic drive, in some respects perhaps preferable to the west side of the peninsula. If so doing, one could loop through Olympia, but more enchanting perhaps to turn to WA 106 at Skokomish to drive north through Poulsbo, and at last to Kingston and the short ferry ride to Edmonds.