Elk Mountain Loop up at Observation Point might be my favorite hike of the summer on the Olympic Peninsula. This is doable from Port Angeles as a day trip or you could add on and make it a longer backpacking trip. First you have to get to the trailhead. This entails driving up Hurricane Ridge …
This is a bit late, but here are some pics from our last day at Lake Cushman. We hiked Shady Lane Trail right from camp and took in the beauty of the lake as well. A little bit of intrigue: In 1889, the Antlers Hotel was built on Lake Cushman by a pair of East …
For a few days, Derek and I camped over by Lake Cushman in the Staircase section of Olympic National Park. This part of the park is accessed from Hoodsport, WA along the canal, and then a long road which turns to dirt along the north side of the lake. How did it get it’s name? …
This is our second time hiking Little River Trail in Olympic National Park and it was just as magical. It’s such a quiet uncrowded trail in deep forest. It’s almost creepy in places since it’s so quiet and dense. We saw slugs, frogs, a little bird, mushrooms and plenty of green plants. I can’t identify …
Deer Park Rd out of Port Angeles, part of Olympic Naitonal Park, is quite an adventure. Derek rode up it before it was open to cars for the season so we knew what to expect. After the pavement ends it’s 8 miles of narrow winding dirt road with a lot of blind corners and a …
Angeles Lake hike is a big hike. I knew my knees wouldn’t like all the descending so I picked a smaller hike and Derek hiked this. I dropped him off at the trailhead most of the way up Hurricane Ridge and he through hiked to the trailhead down by the Hurricane Ridge Ranger Station. The …
Deer Park is part of Olympic National Park and the road up is an adventure itself. It’s still closed to cars right now so Derek took the opportunity to ride to the top to check it out. I hiked the lower part. This road is a beast. It’s 8.5 miles up and 3820′ of climbing. …
Hurricane Ridge is another popular destination within Olympic National Park and for a good reason. I’ve always loved snowy mountains so we made sure to hit this attraction early in the season to get the best views. Hurricane Ridge is just 18 miles south of Port Angeles, Washington and a great day trip. Named for …
One of the most popular things to do in Olympic National Park is hike to Sol Duc Falls. We picked a morning mid week before the summer crowds to check this out. It’s worth it. The name Sol Duc comes from a Native American word meaning “sparkling water” or “magic waters”. The latter is a more …
Madison Creek Falls is located within Olympic National Park near the Elwha River, west of Port Angeles, Washington. A very short hike to a mossy maple and cedar lined grotto and bam, there is the 50 foot Madison Creek Falls. There is almost no hike to get to it and while I wouldn’t drive all the way out here …