tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
|
Post by tarol on Jun 14, 2016 3:16:08 GMT -8
Yes, there is a theme here ... I would like to take my family to Olympic NP. I have never been there and know next to nothing, starting from scratch here. Looking for local intel and suggestions. Looking at sometime July-Fall. Benefits to summer vs. fall visit? We have an 18' trailer and would like to camp somewhere beautiful but not too hard to get to. Open and maybe prefer to camp in nearby National Forest land if that's easier to reach and get a reservation for. We're coming from Pendleton, OR. Routes to take - keeping in mind the trailer? Suggested campsites? Itineraries for day hiking? I have a 4-year-old that's good for up to about 5 miles. Probably spend 4-5 days there. Thanks for your help.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2016 5:19:08 GMT -8
|
|
tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
|
Post by tarol on Jun 28, 2016 13:34:51 GMT -8
Thanks for the suggestion Will look into it! What are best months to visit? September/October?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2016 14:37:48 GMT -8
May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct and early Nov if lucky. Nov is around the time winter storms can start. I'd use this site for getting a good grasp of daylight hiking times in relation to high tides. I use La Push as a weather point.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Jun 28, 2016 17:32:44 GMT -8
In addition to the coast, I would definitely take the kids up the Hoh rainforest. Most of the high mountain views come after lots of miles and feet of elevation gain. I would recommend a drive up to Hurricane Ridge and the Obstruction Pt road. That's the only place where you can drive to higher-elevation dayhikes with big views.
|
|
jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,054
|
Post by jazzmom on Jul 7, 2016 11:20:14 GMT -8
On the Washington trip that I mentioned in your Rainier thread, we also spent a week at Olympic. Trip was in August. I think 2 nights camping at Sol Duc, the rest at Kalaloch. We were totally mesmerized by the beaches and didn't see as much of the rest of the park as I'd originally planned. Our days were dictated by the tides... nice thing about being at Kalaloch was being able to stumble out early in the morning if that's when low tide was. I remember a few early mornings, we had the beach to ourselves. I'm pretty sure my 5yo had explored every single tide pool on Kalaloch by the time we left.
Camping in the rainforest felt pretty magical. We did the Hurricane Ridge drive but as we'd been at Rainier the previous week, I think the contrast of the rainforest and coastline made more of an impact.
|
|
tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
|
Post by tarol on Aug 3, 2016 12:18:13 GMT -8
we're looking at late September/early October for this trip... probably 4 nights. Thinking now about renting a cabin/yurt rather than hauling the trailer that far. Any suggestions?
|
|
|
Post by johntpenca on Aug 3, 2016 20:33:05 GMT -8
Kalaloch has some decent cabins with views that at one time were reasonable. Been a long time since I've been there though.
Yurts? lot's of good options; buy a PNW camping guide book and reserve way early.
|
|
|
Post by johntpenca on Aug 7, 2016 20:56:29 GMT -8
If you can handle a more expensive option, the lodging at Lake Quinault is nice and centrally located.
|
|
tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
|
Post by tarol on Aug 9, 2016 14:47:27 GMT -8
Yeah, a bit expensive for us. Especially since we're doing 4 such National Park Trips in 5 months! But we found a state park yurt near the beach to rent Now just to pray for good weather in early October.
|
|
|
Post by dayhiker on Aug 10, 2016 8:46:59 GMT -8
Well some go to the coast to watch the storms come in!
I like the Oregon coast better even though it is developed.
I think the rain forest is what makes the Olympics unique, I think there is another hike for that but the Hoh might not be too crowded in Oct.
Hurricane Ridge is one place you can drive up to a view, some hiking there, though when we did it we started at a trailhead to the East and hiked toward Hurricane Ridge. Not sure it is worth it compared to say Rainier.
There are some large trees. On. The SW (Quanalt?) , be sure to go to the Grove of the Patriarchs if you like big trees (In Rainier)
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Aug 10, 2016 9:38:58 GMT -8
Rain is quite likely in early October (it usually starts about the last week in September), but it should be the typical PNW drizzle, not heavy storms. (Those are usually more like mid November.)
I disagree with dayhiker's lack of enthusiasm for Hurricane Ridge. There are spectacular views from the Obstruction Point road, and some good dayhikes from the end of at road.
|
|
|
Post by johntpenca on Aug 13, 2016 16:52:37 GMT -8
enthusiasm for Hurricane Ridge. I missed that trail when I was there; then wifey wasn't into it and we were short on time. From the guide book it sounded pretty cool.
|
|
RumiDude
Trail Wise!
Marmota olympus
Posts: 2,361
|
Post by RumiDude on Aug 14, 2016 21:18:19 GMT -8
Yes, Hurrican Ridge and the road out to Obstruction Point are worth it. The road out to Obstruction should still be open then.
The Hoh River Trail is great and is fairly level. The hike to Five Mile and back is easy. The ONP beaches are great. Ruby Beach is easily accessible from 101. Rialto Beach is fantastic. The hike down to Hole in the wall is easy and fun. Second Beach is another great place.
Usually the weather in early OCT is still relatively low rain levels. There are few all-day soakers at that time but do bring your rain gear.
We live in Port Angeles and would love to say hi if you have the time.
Rumi
EDIT: I will add Sol Duc Falls and Lovers Lane, both at Sol Duc, as short interesting hikes on the north side of the park. Additionally there is a short hike from Storm King Ranger Station along Lake Crescent to Marymere Falls and Spruce RR Trail on the north side of Lake Crescent.
|
|
|
Post by johntpenca on Aug 15, 2016 17:44:38 GMT -8
But we found a state park yurt near the beach to rent Glad you found a yurt. They are fun.
|
|