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Started By
Message
Can you provide insights into Olympic & Mount Rainier National Parks?
Posted on 1/5/23 at 6:22 am
Posted on 1/5/23 at 6:22 am
We've decided to fly to Seattle and do these two parks in September.
It'll likely be a 5-6 day trip.
Rough plan after a few days of thinking is to rent a car, head to Olympic and stay on the north side for a night or two (Port Angeles?), then loop around to the west for a night or two (Quinault?), then head to Mount Rainier for a night or two (Ashford?).
Has anyone done this or similar? Provide any insights?
Thanks in advance
It'll likely be a 5-6 day trip.
Rough plan after a few days of thinking is to rent a car, head to Olympic and stay on the north side for a night or two (Port Angeles?), then loop around to the west for a night or two (Quinault?), then head to Mount Rainier for a night or two (Ashford?).
Has anyone done this or similar? Provide any insights?
Thanks in advance
7
Posted on 1/5/23 at 7:34 am to thegreatboudini
going in July
we are driving in from the east and stopping at north cascades NP first then to Olympic for 3 nites then flying out of Seattle
At Olympic I decided to book all 3 nites at Sol Duc Hot Springs. From there we should be able to hit the main areas
I found a site called “earth trekkers” that has excellent itinerary suggestions for all three WA parks
LINK
we are driving in from the east and stopping at north cascades NP first then to Olympic for 3 nites then flying out of Seattle
At Olympic I decided to book all 3 nites at Sol Duc Hot Springs. From there we should be able to hit the main areas
I found a site called “earth trekkers” that has excellent itinerary suggestions for all three WA parks
LINK
Posted on 1/5/23 at 7:40 am to thegreatboudini
We looped Olympic National Park several years ago. The main advice I'd give is to use your best weather day to drive up Hurricane Ridge. It's the only real view we had of the mountains in the park; it's beautiful up there.
Sequim is a cool town, I could live there. We had to try the Dungeness crab there - cold, unspiced, very disappointing. I'll stick to cooking it myself.
The drive along the west coast is beautiful.
No advice on Rainier, but the most gorgeous hike I've ever done was in the north Cascades. We hiked from the Artist Point trailhead between Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. I've seen mountains all over the world and Shuksan is probably my favorite.
September should be really good. We were there in early August and there was still a LOT of snow in the Baker/Shuksan area.
Sequim is a cool town, I could live there. We had to try the Dungeness crab there - cold, unspiced, very disappointing. I'll stick to cooking it myself.
The drive along the west coast is beautiful.
No advice on Rainier, but the most gorgeous hike I've ever done was in the north Cascades. We hiked from the Artist Point trailhead between Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. I've seen mountains all over the world and Shuksan is probably my favorite.
September should be really good. We were there in early August and there was still a LOT of snow in the Baker/Shuksan area.
Posted on 1/5/23 at 8:34 am to thegreatboudini
We went to both parks last year in July as part of a longer trip. We skipped Hurricane Ridge due to them having late snow plus we live in Colorado, so we see mountains. I have been there years ago though and if you want to hike the area plan for a day there.
Rialto Beach you need to plan to be out there at low tide so you can walk to Hole in the Wall and see the starfish, plan for a half day there. If staying in Port Angeles, you could hit Sol Duc Falls and possibly swim at Lake Crescent the same day.
Hoh Rain Forest area is a day so you can hike the river trail. We waited hours in line to get in in early July, not sure about September. You hike along the river as an out and back so as long or as short as you want.
We did not do Wedding Rocks along the north coast, I forget why. I think my buddy said it is muddy there.
Most of Olympic is in a rain forest so pack and plan accordingly.
The drive to Rainier from Olympic is longer than it seems it should be. We hit up Paradise area in Rainier one day and camped in Ohanapecosh. They had a ton of late snow so the main road was still closed. Everyone has told me seeing Rainier all depends on the weather. We had clear days and it was awesome. Rainier is similar to the Tetons as there are not foothills and other mountains surrounding it like we have in Colorado. It is just this big arse mountain by itself. Very cool place I would like to return to.
We camped everywhere so I am no help with lodging or places to eat.
Rialto Beach you need to plan to be out there at low tide so you can walk to Hole in the Wall and see the starfish, plan for a half day there. If staying in Port Angeles, you could hit Sol Duc Falls and possibly swim at Lake Crescent the same day.
Hoh Rain Forest area is a day so you can hike the river trail. We waited hours in line to get in in early July, not sure about September. You hike along the river as an out and back so as long or as short as you want.
We did not do Wedding Rocks along the north coast, I forget why. I think my buddy said it is muddy there.
Most of Olympic is in a rain forest so pack and plan accordingly.
The drive to Rainier from Olympic is longer than it seems it should be. We hit up Paradise area in Rainier one day and camped in Ohanapecosh. They had a ton of late snow so the main road was still closed. Everyone has told me seeing Rainier all depends on the weather. We had clear days and it was awesome. Rainier is similar to the Tetons as there are not foothills and other mountains surrounding it like we have in Colorado. It is just this big arse mountain by itself. Very cool place I would like to return to.
We camped everywhere so I am no help with lodging or places to eat.
Posted on 1/5/23 at 10:51 am to idontyield
quote:
Rainier is similar to the Tetons as there are not foothills and other mountains surrounding it like we have in Colorado. It is just this big arse mountain by itself.
its an (active) volcano
Posted on 1/5/23 at 11:00 am to Tigris
quote:
We had to try the Dungeness crab there - cold, unspiced, very disappointing. I'll stick to cooking it myself.
Best dungeness crab served in the Pac NW is at my house.
Caught and cooked by yours truly.
Posted on 1/5/23 at 11:06 am to thegreatboudini
Did that trip years ago. One of the most beautiful places in the world.
Stayed at Lake Crescent Lodge. Loved the location.
Also stayed at Kalaoch Lodge in a small cabin on the coast. Really cool.
Stayed at Lake Crescent Lodge. Loved the location.
Also stayed at Kalaoch Lodge in a small cabin on the coast. Really cool.
Posted on 1/5/23 at 11:12 am to Tigris
My grandma lived in Sequim until her passing. Spent a lot of time out there as a kid, Hurricane Ridge is 100% worth it for the hike, one of my all time favorites. I heard a rumor it is on a lottery system now because of demand, that may nor may not be the case when you go.
Dungeness Spit on the straight of Juan de Fuca in Sequim is very cool to walk at low tide, lots of driftwood and shells. Port Townsend is a quaint and cute harbor town, Sirens on the water is good for a beer. Port Angeles is an industrial town, not much to see there…
If you plan to use the ferry system be prepared for delays in the summer, the drive south over the Tacoma Narrows might be a good alternative.
The Seven Cedars Casino and Hotel in Sequim is surprisingly very nice, I was shocked when we stayed there recently because everything else was booked up.
Dungeness Spit on the straight of Juan de Fuca in Sequim is very cool to walk at low tide, lots of driftwood and shells. Port Townsend is a quaint and cute harbor town, Sirens on the water is good for a beer. Port Angeles is an industrial town, not much to see there…
If you plan to use the ferry system be prepared for delays in the summer, the drive south over the Tacoma Narrows might be a good alternative.
The Seven Cedars Casino and Hotel in Sequim is surprisingly very nice, I was shocked when we stayed there recently because everything else was booked up.
Posted on 1/5/23 at 2:37 pm to thegreatboudini
-double post-
This post was edited on 1/5/23 at 2:44 pm
Posted on 1/5/23 at 2:38 pm to thegreatboudini
Never been to Olympic, but we've done Mt. Rainier 5 times over the last 25 years (1998, 1999, 2009, 2012, 2016).
We all like it a lot, and it's my wife's favorite "outdoors" vacation spot. Almost a spiritual place for her.
Each time we visit we ALWAYS stay on National Park property at the Paradise Inn Lodge, 5440' in elevation on the mountain. I'd highly recommend it, it is where the evergreen forests transition to alpine meadows.
A few things to consider though when planning to visit or stay at Mt. Rainier:
-- Time of year. There is a very short optimum window, usually late July to September. Any earlier, while the roads to Paradise Lodge and the Lodge itself will be open, all the alpine meadow hiking areas will be snow-covered, as they were for us in early July 2012:
-- Weather. On clear days, it is the most beautiful spot in the world. On others, the mountain is obscured by clouds and such an you can't even see the peak from the lodge, or the vistas from places like Panorama Point:
The later you are there (August-September) the more likely it will be clear, so with a September visit you should be okay.
-- The Paradise Inn is beautiful in its architecture, a classic example of a western National Park Lodge, but it is old, isolated and rustic. NO TV, cable or otherwise. For the most part, NO phone service and NO wi-fi. NO elevators; you will be lugging your luggage up and down stairs. The room décor and bathroom finish is not posh in the least; in fact it is very basic and a little on the cheap side. NO air conditioning; if you happen to go when it's really warm (or as we once did, during a rare heat wave) it can be pretty miserable, even at a mile up. And finally, it is about a 1/2 hour drive down to the Nisqually Park entrance and about 45 minutes down to the small Ashford General Store. It's a little over an hour away from real civilization in Eatonville (pharmacy, supermarket, etc).
But it is worth all the negatives:
We all like it a lot, and it's my wife's favorite "outdoors" vacation spot. Almost a spiritual place for her.
Each time we visit we ALWAYS stay on National Park property at the Paradise Inn Lodge, 5440' in elevation on the mountain. I'd highly recommend it, it is where the evergreen forests transition to alpine meadows.
A few things to consider though when planning to visit or stay at Mt. Rainier:
-- Time of year. There is a very short optimum window, usually late July to September. Any earlier, while the roads to Paradise Lodge and the Lodge itself will be open, all the alpine meadow hiking areas will be snow-covered, as they were for us in early July 2012:
-- Weather. On clear days, it is the most beautiful spot in the world. On others, the mountain is obscured by clouds and such an you can't even see the peak from the lodge, or the vistas from places like Panorama Point:
The later you are there (August-September) the more likely it will be clear, so with a September visit you should be okay.
-- The Paradise Inn is beautiful in its architecture, a classic example of a western National Park Lodge, but it is old, isolated and rustic. NO TV, cable or otherwise. For the most part, NO phone service and NO wi-fi. NO elevators; you will be lugging your luggage up and down stairs. The room décor and bathroom finish is not posh in the least; in fact it is very basic and a little on the cheap side. NO air conditioning; if you happen to go when it's really warm (or as we once did, during a rare heat wave) it can be pretty miserable, even at a mile up. And finally, it is about a 1/2 hour drive down to the Nisqually Park entrance and about 45 minutes down to the small Ashford General Store. It's a little over an hour away from real civilization in Eatonville (pharmacy, supermarket, etc).
But it is worth all the negatives:
This post was edited on 1/5/23 at 2:49 pm
Posted on 1/5/23 at 4:57 pm to thegreatboudini
Was there in late September 2021. Olympic is gorgeous. Stayed at an Airbnb art 15-20 mins outside of Port Angeles. If possible, go the Airbnb/vrbo route. We found there is a decent amount of driving between sights in Olympic park and if you are having to eat every meal out ..could be a problem.
Sights- Lake Crescent is beautiful. We did the Storm King hike and it was a beast. Made everything after that seem easy. Hurricane Ridge is awesome, try and get there early. Being flatlanders, I even thought the drive up there was fun. Rialto Beach is stunning. As was drive south from there. There are a few more beaches you can walk out to also. We tried to go to Hoh rainforest on day we were driving back to Seattle but got impatient with the line of traffic headed in there. We did Sol Doc Falls, even saw salmon jumping. Do your research bc there are many places for hiking that won't kill you.
We ate at a brewery/gatropub in Port Angeles that was excellent. Can't remember the name. But again, if you can cook your own stuff a few nights, that might work out. Decent grocery store in Port Angeles. We stayed 3 nights in the airbnb which was right in Olympic Park.
We never made it to Mt rainer.
Sights- Lake Crescent is beautiful. We did the Storm King hike and it was a beast. Made everything after that seem easy. Hurricane Ridge is awesome, try and get there early. Being flatlanders, I even thought the drive up there was fun. Rialto Beach is stunning. As was drive south from there. There are a few more beaches you can walk out to also. We tried to go to Hoh rainforest on day we were driving back to Seattle but got impatient with the line of traffic headed in there. We did Sol Doc Falls, even saw salmon jumping. Do your research bc there are many places for hiking that won't kill you.
We ate at a brewery/gatropub in Port Angeles that was excellent. Can't remember the name. But again, if you can cook your own stuff a few nights, that might work out. Decent grocery store in Port Angeles. We stayed 3 nights in the airbnb which was right in Olympic Park.
We never made it to Mt rainer.
Posted on 1/5/23 at 6:08 pm to LSUintheNW
quote:
Best dungeness crab served in the Pac NW is at my house.
Caught and cooked by yours truly.
I don't doubt it. They it's wonderful stuff but they have no idea how to cook it which is odd. Boiled with no spice and served cold. I asked for butter and they looked at me odd. It turned out to be too cold to melt the butter pats they gave me. Minor quibble though, I loved the trip and the area. And the area around Sequim ("Skwim") was one of the few places I'd consider relocating to.
Posted on 1/5/23 at 9:16 pm to Nole Man
we stayed at Kalaoch Lodge in '18 and loved it. ONP is very underrated IMO. We lucked up with great weather; time your trip to the beaches so that you can see all the marine life(low tide). The Hoh rainforest and Hurricane Ridge were really impressive.
Posted on 1/6/23 at 6:21 am to specchaser
Excellent content in this thread. Thank you all. Tons to plan!
Posted on 1/6/23 at 8:38 am to thegreatboudini
the Olympic Peninsula is my favorite place in the lower 48
I don't think its been mentioned in this thread, but go to La Push Beach #2 as well
Its worth the little 1 mile hike
I don't think its been mentioned in this thread, but go to La Push Beach #2 as well
Its worth the little 1 mile hike
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