Hi all,
I've been reading all the posts about the olympic peninsula and the seattle area. Thanks for all the info.

I have 4 days from May 25-28 (flying into seattle on the evening of the 24th), to spend in the peninsula. The 4 major areas to visit seem to be:
1. Hurricane Ridge area
2. Lake Crescent area
3. Rainforests
4. Coast

My questions:
1. Is the hurricane ridge area likely to be open in late May?
2. Which rainforest area should I pick for hiking (Hoh, Queets or Lake Quinault) ? Hoh seems to be the most popular, but I would like to get away from the crowds.
3. Which part of the coast (Ozette, Kalaloch or the 2nd,3rd,4th beach area)?

I love hiking, nature study and beautiful scenary. I am, however, not such a big fan of driving around a lot. I know some driving is necessary, but I don't want to go some place, look at it for 20 minutes, and drive on to the next, etc. I'm looking for about 6 to 10 hours of hiking each day.

Thanks all. You guys are the best.

You might want to visit Neah Bay for its museum, and from there walk to the coast--it's an easy walk through an old growth forest.

Not sure about May crowds but we explored Hoh Rainforest in July 02 and it was anything but crowded. It was also a delightfully warm, sunny day!
Be aware that there is no food whatsover within Hoh, the closest plcae being just outside it, 'The Hard Rain Cafe', a mom and pop burger joint that was really fun.

As for beaches, we stayed in Ocean Shores, WA, a touristy beach town with an incredibly wide beach, where we had a great time horse riding. Check out Best Western Lighthouse Inn, oceanfront, and not your typical BW.

Hope this helps.

Michael, thanks for the Neah Bay suggestion. I guess I can do that and the shore by lake Ozette. I was leaning towards the northern shores anyway, so thanks.

Ellen, good to know that the Hoh rain forests aren't very crowded. If it was okay in July, I'm guessing I'll be fine in May (though it is the week before memorial day weekend ) That certainly narrows it down for me. I'm not inclined to stay in Ocean Shores simply because of the 30/40 extra miles to the park. thanks though, the lighthouse bestwestern sounds like fun.

I'm debating between the lodge at Lake Quinault and the Kalaloch lodge. I know that many posters (gardyloo for example), find Kalaloch over-rated. But, I'm planning to spend nights 3 and 4 in Lake Crescent and was wondering if a change in scenery (sea-shore instead of lake shore), would be worthwhile...

The Cape Alava/Sand Point trail near Lake Ozette is very pretty. It is about 9 miles, if I remember correctly, and very easy.

Yes, i think a change of lodging is best, if not necessary ~ you don't want to spend all your time in the car. We stayed in Lake Crescent Lodge (in an adjoining building) after exploring Hurricane Ridge, and also spent a night in Port Townsend for whale watching. Gardyloo IS the resident Pacific NW expert with the best info, but we personally wanted to stay at Kalaloch Lodge and were very disappointed it was booked. Which is why we ended up in Ocean Shores. If we go to the Pac NW again, i would give it a try!

The cheapest ocean view rooms in Kalaloch are already booked and the next tier of ocean view rooms are out of my budget. Are the non-ocean view rooms nice too? As in, can I still hear the ocean and is there some lobby where I can sit at night to watch the waves? (ok, ok, I love the water )

mms, thanks, I'll look it up.

Not sure I'd go to Neah Bay. I'm not sure it's the most scenic spot on the coast and it is out of the way. Michael, tell us more about the museum and the ocean at that point.
We've only been to the marina in our boat. It is a great refuge for boats after being out on the Pacific, I will give it that!

The museum is a rebuilt Indian village that had been buried in a mud slide 500 years ago somewhere near Ozette, which allowed the wood to be preserved. It is not a modern reconstruction, although the outer structures may be, and has a mixture of anthropological and Indian explanations. It is within the reservation and under the control of the Neah Bay Indian tribe. While Neah Bay is not the most scenic spot on the coast, the hike takes you to the Pacific Ocean, facing the westernmost lighthouse of the Continental U.S.

If you go to Neah Bay, ssachida, take a look at the boats in the marina. The Makah canoes used in the controversial whale hunting are generally tied up there (or at least they were a few years ago). They are built in the traditional fashion and worth a photograph.

Does anyone know when the Hurricane Ridge area opens for hikers usually? I know its weather dependant, but is it typically July or do I have a chance? Just curious, there's plenty to do even otherwise, but I would love some good glacier views.

I'll decide whether or not to go to Neah Bay depending on how much time I have when I'm there (I tend to loose all track of time when I'm staring at ocean waves )

I've finally made my hotel reservations though.
May 25th, 26th - Ocean Park Resort, La Push. Its a cheapie(despite the name) stay right on the water front - $50/night.

May 27th,28th - Lake Crescent Lodge. Got a lake view room in the Historical Lodge (read "old and rickety") for $90/night.

Will spend 29th night in Seattle. Haven't pinned down lodging for that night yet. I'll need a cheap,central place with parking (I don't ask for much, do I? After all its only one of the busiest weekends of the year ;-) )

My lodging means that I'll probably skip Lake Quinault and the entire east side of the park, oh well, maybe another time.

Am heading out today!! Thanks for all the info. I'll post a report when I get back.