Any tips on hiking coastal regions of Olympic National Park (WA)?

Some friends and I have permits to do a multi-day backpacking trip along the northern coast of the Olympic National Park near Seattle (the longest undeveloped stretch of coastline in the lower 48 states).



We are all experienced backpackers, but this is our first time backpacking along an ocean coast and having to deal with tide tables, headlands, log jams, etc.



Has anybody hiked or backpacked the Cape Alava area recently?

How was it? Any important tips or suggestions that are specific to that area beyond the normal backpacking stuff? Can I wear hiking boots or will my feet be in the water much of the time?



ThanksAny tips on hiking coastal regions of Olympic National Park (WA)?
We did some trips out there during our 3 years in Seattle. Check the tides! (as shedderb suggests) and try to do any tricky bits on a falling tide to have more options and a better assessment of just how long you have to get around a headlands, etc. Print out several copies and discuss each night and morning the tides as it relates to that days hike.



River/stream crossing can be a pain. Wool or fleece socks in Tevas work for some. I usually wear my usually trail shoes and socks and strip my feet for each crossing but it slows the group down. A wringable synthetic towel is good for drying off after each crossing. REI has them.



One or two 5-foot hiking sticks/poles can really help in those stream crossings. Not everyone needs one because you can toss them back to others. 100-feet of 1/4" line, if you snug it up with a trucker's hitch, can make a nice handrail for those crossings, too.



When it is not rainy, it is foggy, so nylon and polypro everything. So it can dry as you wear it.



Double zip-lock anything electronic. Dunking on a stream crossing and the salt air in general is NOT good for them. Cell phones die after 0.07 seconds in the ocean, IME. Better yet, bring a waterproof/disposable camera and don't worry. Consider a waterproof phone float bag from Westmarine for the cell phone (which presumably you have, turned off, for possible emergency use).



Bring a stove, sometimes all the driftwood is wet (and huge!). If you've got some extra low tides, bring a WA fishing license and go clamming (manila and little necks on rocky beaches, razor clams on sandy beaches). Steam with a little butter, garlic and herbs. It should be berry season down there now. Salmon berries like that coastal setting. Bring a small edible plants guidebook if you're not familiar with the many local berries and stalks.
Great choice!

Not having hiked Cape Alva (although I have done a bit at Sand Point) - my hiking on the Olympic Penisula is usually steep mountains - it is a rain forest wich makes for some great lush green steep hikes and some incredible waterfalls!

After researching this one I will have to go! Will post my adventures: http://www.jacobguide.com/washington.htm鈥?/a>



Have fun!!!Any tips on hiking coastal regions of Olympic National Park (WA)?
yea, they re aren't flow through spots on all the coast lines, go up to forks and hike around there, it better than south of there

I am in seattle now so which mountain should i go to , olympic national park or Mount Rainier? asap thanks ?

Personally I'm a fan of Mt. Rainier. Never actually been there but lived near the base for about 6 months. I am in seattle now so which mountain should i go to , olympic national park or Mount Rainier? asap thanks ?
The Olympic Mountains are fantastic. I have not been on Rainier, but I am certain it does not offer the same variety of scenary as the Olympics. You can walk from the Pacific coast line up through a rain forest, over a snow capped mountain, down into a vast meadow, back up another mountain, down through a ancient hardwood forest, and finally end at the coast of Puget Sound.


Mount Rainier for sure, it's very impressive even if you're just sightseeing.I am in seattle now so which mountain should i go to , olympic national park or Mount Rainier? asap thanks ?
I went to Mount Rainier earlier this year and it was sweet! Never got to see Olympic N.P.
Mount Rainier.
mount rainer roxxxxxxx
If there's time, why not go see both!!!

We are going to Olympic National Park and need some advise on trout streams and camp sites. Thanks!?

Preferably on the east side of the park around the 1st of septemberWe are going to Olympic National Park and need some advise on trout streams and camp sites. Thanks!?
from what ive read, all the campsites within the national park are first come first served. i have yet to camp this park but im headed there this weekend, tho not to camp. if you havent checked out the website, i would suggest it. as far as trout streams, definitely pick yourself up a regulations guide to find out which streams are in season and which are closed. i would imagine that around september 1st it shouldnt be too super crowded.We are going to Olympic National Park and need some advise on trout streams and camp sites. Thanks!?
The only place I've stayed is on Lake Ozette, and it was gorgeous. There are camping sites there as well as numerous hiking trails. I know you don't need a fishing license and that the lake has a vast assortment of fish. Hurricane Ridge is fairly close by, which makes for good snowshoeing in the winter, and good hiking in the summer/fall.

professor layton

surrogate mothers

I wish to visit Olympic National Park next year, what are the most interesting sites I can see in an afternoon?

If you only have an afternoon then go to Hurricane Ridge. It will take several days to see the whole thing unless you just want to drive and say wow every few minutes. Hurricane Ridge is just out of Port Angeles. You could also try Cresent Lake which is about 30 miles South of Port Angeles. Then just drive 101. There is no bad place on the Olympic Peninsula. Have fun.I wish to visit Olympic National Park next year, what are the most interesting sites I can see in an afternoon?
Folk sharing fave virtual tour links here may help:-



http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;鈥?/a>I wish to visit Olympic National Park next year, what are the most interesting sites I can see in an afternoon?
Go to the National Park Service website for info on all the parks.

Is the Olympic National Park in Canada as well as Washington?

Geography assignmemts are dumb...Is the Olympic National Park in Canada as well as Washington?
no

Going to Olympic National Park (WA) this wkend, & I'm looking for a medium difficulty level day hike.?

Something with a rewarding view. I will be staying in Forks, so nothing too far away from that region. Can anyone suggest anything? Thanks in advance!Going to Olympic National Park (WA) this wkend, %26amp; I'm looking for a medium difficulty level day hike.?
Couple of things:

Mountain top view day hikes just do not exist in the Forks area. Forks has tons of valley (the Hoh, Bogachiel) and beach hikes (Oil city, La Push) nearby.

To find mountain top view day hikes you will have to drive back to the Lake Crescent area about 30-40 minutes away. There are plenty of mountain hikes there. See the link below at the Olympic National forest website

I can personally recommend both the Mt. Muller Loop and Pyramid Peak. Both are in the medium difficulty range around 12-14 miles round trip.

In the National Park, the trails get difficult. See the second link. Mount Storm King is nearby and has fabulous views, but it is very steep.

Enjoy the hike. Bring plenty of ibuprofen.

What biome does the washinton olympic national park have?

Here you will find Pacific Ocean beaches, rain forest valleys, glacier-capped peaks and a stunning variety of plants and animals. Roads provide access to the outer edges of the park, but the heart of Olympic is wilderness; a primeval sanctuary for humans and wild creatures alike.

Although related to other marmots and groundhogs of North America, the Olympic marmot is unique. An endemic species, it is found only in the Olympic Mountains. Visitors to the high country of Olympic National Park may be lucky enough to encounter a marmot sunning itself near its burrow.



Like everything else about Olympic, the weather is extremely variable, from season to season and place to place. Visitors should come prepared for a wide range of conditions. Rain gear and layered clothing are essential.



Overall, the Olympic Peninsula has a moderate marine climate with pleasant summers and mild, wet winters.



Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year.



While winters are mild at lower elevation, with temperatures in the 30's and 40's, snowfall can be heavy in the mountains, with accumulations of up to 10 feet common.What biome does the washinton olympic national park have?
Temperate rain forestWhat biome does the washinton olympic national park have?
I think it's a rain forest.