The Magic of Olympic National Park
It is quite true that some places in the world hold an enchanting sway over people. In my opinion, one such place is the Olympic National Park, located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Indeed, it would be appropriate to say that Olympic National Park is not a regular park but it rather contains a whole new world in itself. This place has a unique charm which keeps fascinating me every time I come back to it. There are ancient forests along with rugged coasts, majestic snowy peaks and everything else. Isn't it amazing?
What makes the Olympic National Park so unique is the fact that it is an area consisting of three separate and distinct ecosystems. These include Pacific Coastline, Temperate Rainforests, and Glaciated Mountains.
The Place Where the Forest Meets the Sea: The Wild Coastline
First, we will talk about the coast since this is usually where my adventure starts. This wild and untamed Pacific coastline inside Olympic National Park cannot be compared to the usual resorts with sandy beaches. There are countless hours I have spent wandering on the shores of Rialto Beach or Ruby Beach being enchanted by the amazing power of the sea and its sea stacks.
- Sea Stacks: These rock formations with forests growing on top of them are formed throughout the years by the constant power of the ocean. They make great photography subjects when the sun rises or sets.
- Tide pools: Whenever the ocean recedes to expose the coast, there appear these microcosms of life full of various fish living there. There are so many interesting creatures one can spot such as anemones, starfish, crabs and others.
- Loads of driftwood: Another fascinating feature of the coastline are the huge bleached logs of wood scattered all over the beach.
Exploring these shores, one gets a true feeling of the untamed nature of the Pacific Northwest region. The air is fresh, sometimes slightly misty and one can hear the steady sound of the Pacific waves. You may even catch a glimpse of some bald eagles and seals swimming in the water. All of this makes for quite an absorbing experience indeed.
Falling into a Fairytale: The Temperate Rainforests
After that, we move away from the beach and get lost in another world. The temperate rainforests of this area, especially the Hoh Rainforest, are one of a kind. Indeed, once inside you can see that everything around is extremely green – the most vibrant green color imaginable. The giant Sitka spruces and Western hemlock trees are growing everywhere covered with the layers of moss and ferns. It is like some sort of ancient, magic place.
In the rainforest the air is moist and the smell of earth and decayed plants is everywhere. The sun rays penetrate the dense foliage of the trees creating magical light shafts that fall to the forest floor. In such a place one cannot help but feel insignificant and humble. There are big Roosevelt elk living in the rainforests and sometimes you can see them grazing on the ferns.
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Trail of Mosses Loop: This short but legendary loop trail in the Hoh should be visited for sure. It's an easy path which brings you directly to the world of moss-covered wonders.
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Spruce Nature Trail: One more amazing opportunity to dive into the forest and experience an ecosystem with amazing old-growth trees.
- Rainforest at Quinault and Bogachiel Valleys: Even though Hoh is usually considered to be the main rainforest of Olympic National Park, there are more beautiful forests at the Quinault and Bogachiel valleys.
I always recommend visiting this park slowly. Just sit down and feel the sounds of nature: the dripping water, rustling of the leaves – it feels just wonderful.
Looking up to the Skies: Olympic Mountains
At last, we ascend. Olympic Mountains are the impressive backbone of the park and dramatic landscape coming out of the peninsula. Despite the fact that mountains aren't so high, their geology and heavy snow cover made them really picturesque. My favourite and great starting point is Hurricane Ridge.
Getting to Hurricane Ridge itself is an adventure – you get to drive along twisting roads which provide more and more fantastic views. And once you're there, those views will take your breath away. You'll be looking at miles of steep mountains which may still have snow even in summer months, reaching out all the way down to Strait of Juan de Fuca and sometimes even Vancouver Island.
- Trails & Nature Hikes: Whether you like the relatively easy paved trails such as Hurricane Ridge Living Room Trail, or the challenging back country trails – Olympic has it all!
- Viewing Wildlife: Your best chance to spot Olympic marmots, black-tailed deer, and many other birds is here!
- Winter Activities: Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing await when it snows on Hurricane Ridge!
That contrast between the foggy coastal zone, dark rainforest and majestic alpine peaks is what makes Olympic National Park such a wonderful destination.
Planning Your Olympic Trip
If you are considering the option of visiting this beautiful area, there are a few tips that I have picked up along the way which might come in handy for you. First, prepare for varied weather conditions. You may be having sunny weather at the coast while at the rainforest it may be raining, therefore, wear layer clothing.
There are various places to stay, such as historic lodges including Lake Crescent Lodge or Lake Quinault Lodge and many other campgrounds. Remember to make bookings in advance, particularly if you are going during the summer, as the spots fill quickly. Additionally, keep in mind that reception is poor in some areas, therefore, prepare your map.
The park is huge and trying to do all within one day or even during the entire weekend is simply out of question. Choose some specific areas that you feel attracted to and spend a little time exploring them.
Olympic National Park is more than a beautiful scenery; it is nature at its best and a good example of the power of nature. It teaches you how to be patient and how to enjoy nature to its fullest extent. Well, for me, that's actually one reason why I continue visiting this place. Come on, who wouldn't like to lose himself in a park which seems to be a combination of three national parks in one?