karmark

We are renting a Harley Davidson (in Tukwila) for a 2-day drive along the Olympic Peninsula in mid-May. What is the best route? Any ideas for one-night stop over accommodations? Should we plan to do the entire thing or only up to La Push? What are the "must sees?"

ALF

Two days is a good amount of time. You could do a big loop on Route 101: Take I-5 south to Olympia, then Routes 8 and 12 to Aberdeen, via Elma. From there, take Route 101 northward to the Olympic Coast, then continue on 101, which veers eastward and runs along the north end of the Peninsula. You can then continue on 101 to complete the loop back in Olympia; or take the Hood Canal Bridge and one of the Puget Sound ferries back toward Seattle.

Along the way, you should stop at several of the Olympic Natnl Park beaches, as well as heading inland into the Queets Corridor and the Hoh Rainforest, to see the unique temperate Pacific NW rainforest. Other stops could include Sol Duc Hot Springs (a bit touristy), and Lake Crescent. A must-do is ascending the Hurrican Ridge Road (Hog Heaven!), and walking around in the high alpine meadows (might still have some snow here and there). Also, consider taking a walk out onto Dungeness Spit, which extends way out into the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Lastly, stop for a burger at Fat Smitty's.

One good overnight location would be Lake Crescent Lodge, near a beautiful lake. Another choice would be to get a cabin at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Both of these are located west of Port Angeles, which should be a good spot to end your first day.

happytrailstoyou

You may be surprised to learn that the main road goes around, but not through, the Olympic National Park. Much of the trip is drudge, commuter-style driving. Is that what you're looking for?

karmark

If we don't do the entire loop, would it be best to concentrate on the Port Townsend, Hurricane Ridge area? I've heard Rialto Beach is worth seeing as well.

philsbert1

We did this route last year, only over a week instead of a few days. I would definitely recommend Hurricane Ridge area over Hoh if you are limited in time. We spent a couple of hours at one of the beaches on the western side (can't remember which one...there are many---First, Third, etc.) and then ended up at Port Angeles, which we used as a base to visit Hurricane Ridge and Victoria. We hiked the Dungeness Spit, which was pretty cool, but will take quite a bit of time (11 miles RT) and energy, and a few hours at Lake Crescent Marymere Falls may be better time spent. Port Townsend was a really fun/quaint place to spend a day or a week, and I would vote for staying there vs. Port Angeles.