claytoj1

Still rearranging my trip coming up in Oct 16-25. Places want to see Mt. Ranier considering Alta Crystal Resort, Olympic National Park looking at Collettes B&B in Port Angeles, One of the islands san juan, orcas or lopez, of course Seattle (The Inn Market)
have 8 nights all together. Don't want to be constantly driving so limited the areas to cover. Would love to see a great waterfall, possibly salmon fish. I've changed my mind so many times but the places I mentioned above seem to be definite choices.

spirobulldog

Are you sure that Salmon run that late? If you are going to Rainier, what about Snoqualmnie waterfall.

happytrailstoyou

Judging from what I read here, Orcas is the most popular island for visitors, but my favorite is San Juan Island.

HTTY

suze

Mt Rainier, ONP, Seattle, AND any San Juan Island will be a lot of driving (time in car, on ferry) for only 8 nights. Certain it can be done but I'm not sure how nice of a trip it sounds, especially in October when the days are getting short. I'm pretty sure it's not salmon season though. Snoqualmie Falls is an excellent waterfall suggestion and it's only 1 hour from Seattle.

christy1

Just making sure you know that the road to Sunrise, at Rainier, is scheduled to close Oct. 12. You certainly could still drive from Alta Crystal to Paradise, thought that's definitely the longer way to go from Seattle. I think you might need to make sure you make refundable reservations--it's quite likely the weather will be cold and rainy or even snowy at Rainier, which would mean you'd travel all the way there and not even see anything. If you do get sunny weather, it will be stunning (though probably still cold) and relatively tourist-free.

I think Orcas is the most scenic island, but they each have their charms. Lopez is the quietest and least developed of the 3, and San Juan has a very nice national historical park.

Orcas

Wondering why you aren't planning on staying in the park at the National Park Inn at Longmire. It is a short drive to the Paradise area. Crystal is on the other side. It's a big mountain.

Snoqualmie Falls fails to impress me, esp after living in Portland and going to the Columbia R. Gorge a lot and also to Silver Falls State Park. But if you haven't seen waterfalls, I guess it's okay. It's crowded.

I think you have time for Rainier and the islands, but throwing in the Olympic peninsula takes you way off track and I'm not sure why you are doing that. You can't go from there to the islands without an extra ferry and more driving.

As for the islands, if you skip the OP, you could stay on both Orcas and San Juan Island. Lopez is good for a day visit and you'd want to rent bikes or something. It is very laid back and scenic, but not a lot to do if you aren't into relaxing, biking, hanging out.

claytoj1

How far is it from one of the islands from Port Angeles. I havent made any reservations at Mt Ranier yet. Do you think if we just did a day trip from Seattle to the Paradise area that would be feasible.

Orcas

You can definitely do a day trip to the Paradise area. I am not sure about snow that time of year and if it blocks the trails at that level. They strive to keep the roads clear. If the weather is clear, it would be beautiful. If it is overcast, forget about it.

The only ferries to the islands are from Anacortes. (There's a passenger ferry from Seattle in summer, but not when you are going) So you have to get to that ferry, which is somewhat of a trip from Port Angeles...You will get the info you need:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/info_desk/route-maps/

You could take the Keystone Ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island, then drive to Anacortes and pick up the ferry there to the San Juans.