ONP help needed
 

I have planned to 2 full days in ONP and confused on what to see since I can not see everything I want to see...The plan includes leaving Seattle, Aug 1, tuesday morning(early) and heading out to ONP. Best route?? What should be on our don't miss list... Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc, Hoh or the beach!!!. Would like to stay one night in ONP and rooms are available at Lake Crescent and Rustic Lodge. Plan on spending the night in Port Angeles on wed night. Looking for short hikes - no longer than 3 miles. We don't mind driving..

Hi smom,

We just came back from our first trip to ONP and loved it. Since you have such a short time, I would recommend seeing Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent and Sol Duc. At Lake Crescent, take the Marymere Falls hike and at Sol Duc take the Sol Duc Falls hike. Both are beautiful and very easy.

I can't help you with where to stay since we stayed in Sequim, but Lake Crescent looked very nice, although very rustic. Their restaurant was good too.

With only two days, I really wouldn't try to see more than this. Driving to Sol Duc will take you about two hours from Port Angeles. Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge are closer. If you decide to just stay in Port Angeles, it is definitely not too far for day trips into the park. I found it nice to be able to go to different restaurants at night rather than stay in one place in the park.

If you want to read my trip report, just click on my name. Warning though, it's very long!

I would do Hurricane Ridge and then the La Push. If time allows take in the Hoh Rain Forest. The Sol Duc hike is very nice, but there are many beautiful hikes of all levels everywhere. The Marymere hike is excellent and the trail along the north shore of Lake Crescent is great too.

smom----best route, if you are starting from Seattle, woul dbe the simplest: take the Bainbridge ferry, then follow the highway north and west, over the Hood Canal bridge, to Port Angeles (about 1.25 hours from the ferry landing on Bainbridge). Perhaps divide your time between beac and mountains? Drive up to Hurricane Ridge for a ridge hike (not difficult) the first day; head out toward the coast for a look the second day.

I would be fine with Lake Crescent Lodge---but I'm on the "rustic" end of things.

Thanks for the info. I think my kids would really enjoy the rain forest. What beach has the best tide pools??

IMO: The best route is clockwise via Tacoma and Olympia. This gives you a chance to check out Lake Quinault Lodge, the Pacific Coast beaches, and save the best of the trip for last.
FYI: The Hoh Rain Forest is an hour drive in and an hour drive back out. There you will see moss covered trees very similar to the ones you will see when you take the delightful hike to Marymere Falls. (Something to consider if your time is limited.)
IMO: Lake Crescent Lodge is the best place to stay because it has a great location for seeing ONP, a beautiful setting, and a good restaurant.

Pardon the question from an uninformed East Coaster: is ONP Olympic National Park?

Yes.
I'd pick Hurricane Ridge for sure, and you should be able to fit in both the Hoh rain forest and a beach. I'd take the ferry and stick to the northern route.

I agree with the recommendation to go via Tacoma, BUT in the first two weeks of July the builders of the second Tacoma Narrows bridge will be hoisting 400-ton deck sections into position and traffic will be a mess. Time is dependent on the tides...and I wouldn't be surprised if the time is extended. Details in the paper at www.thenewstribune.com.