escape_the_rain

Hi all -- we'll have 1-1/2 days to explore Olympic National Park. We're staying at the Best Western in Port Angeles, and I'm trying to create a rough agenda to guide us along!

My thought is that we'll get there around 10 or 11am, check out Hurrican Ridge, Marymere Falls and Lake Crescent. Are there any short hikes or other gems I should know about along the way?

Day two is open. Originally I wanted to go to the Hoh Rainforest -- but i just realized it's further than I though. Someone suggested Cape Flattery, Seiku or Clallam Bay. I haven't checked those places out yet. OR, could we take a ferry to the penninsula?

Thanks so much for your suggestions -- we have guests coming in from Finland and I want to make this a special little adventure!

NWWanderer

It's not THAT far to the Hoh from Port Angeles (couple of hours each way)--definitely do-able as a day trip. You'd be driving just as far if not farther to go up to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery (which is worthwhile also but I think I'd go for the rainforest over Neah Bay if you have to choose). You could combine a visit to the Hoh with a visit to Rialto or Second Beach out west of Forks.

I don't understand your question about taking a ferry to the peninsula (and I think you posted it like that before). You'll be ON the peninsula! Are you thinking of the ferry to Victoria?

Are you and/or your guests outdoorsy/adventurous? If so, a rafting trip on the Elwha (just west of Pt Angeles) or on the Hoh is a lot of fun (the one on the Hoh is pretty much just a float, but a lot of fun in inflatable kayaks). I've done both with an outfitter called Olympic Raft and Kayak.

escape_the_rain

Thanks for the suggestion!

Perhaps we could make a day of the Hoh and include the rafting trip? Love that idea, though we'll have a 1.5 year old with us! If it's just a float, perhaps it's do-able.

Wow -- you totally busted me on the peninsula question. Embarassing!!!

happytrailstoyou

Ruby Beach and Hoh Rain Forest would make a good day trip.

adam211

I would try Hoh Rainforest and a beach or two on at least one of the days.

Second Beach is one of the most glorious beaches I have seen, but unless something happened recently, Second Beach is closed indefinitely. Something about being on tribal land and the tribe not maintaining their end for some purpose, but I don't remember why.

adam211

oops, I didn't mean to press reply.

Hoh Rainforest I don't think is too far away necessarily, I live across the sound in Everett and we are able to take a day trip there and still squeeze in a couple of (short) hikes. Sol Duc falls is also nice if you have time, but it is way too easy to overload so it depends on what else you decide to do.

Hurricane Ridge gives you a glorious overview of the area--the coast, Victoria, Mt. Olympus. There is a nice hike I want to try called Elwha Trail, I've only gone .5 mile on it, but it's at hurricane ridge and could be neat if you wanted to stay a bit longer there.

escape_the_rain

Thanks for all the great advise! We just returned from our weekend on the peninsula. We stayed at the Best Western. Not our first choice, but I must admit, it was perfect.

Day one we arrived later than anticipated, went up to Hurrican Ridge which was spectacular, did a short mile hike or so. Then we drove over to Lake Crescent and pulled over at a local beach to take in the view.

Day two we went to Marymere Falls -- nice little hike there too. Drove to Sol Duc from there. I have to laugh, the hot springs are not what we anticipated! Of course I had romanticized hot springs in the middle of the forest -- steaming water waiting for us to dive in. So when i askd how to get to the hot springs and was pointed to the swimming pool i had to laugh at my error!!! Either way, we had a great lunch at the Sol Duc resort.

From there we drove over to the coast which was spectacular!! We didn't have time to hike in the rainforest -- kind of a bummer, but, next time! We stopped by Ruby beach and South Beach. I've never seen anything like it!!!

Had to drive back to Seattle from there...great weekend, just wish we had an extra day or two to get in some more hiking!!! We'll definitely be back!