MCHS

Husband and I (Mid 50’s) will be traveling to Seattle area in late Sept from Friday nite to Sun. We are moderately athletic, prefer outdoors to city life. We would do up to moderate hikes, easy kayaking etc. We will spend 1-to 1-1/2 days in Seattle and then are trying to decide between (1) time on the islands (San Juan or Orcas), (2) travel to Victoria with drive to Whistler or (3) Olympic National Park. We know we can’t do all 3 and I also know this is a loaded question, but I am looking for advice on which 2 of our 3 choices would you all suggest. Pros, cons and pitfalls are appreciated.

halfapair

Hi MCHS, I live on the Kitsap Peninsula, and as a resident of WA I would suggest selecting choices 1 & 3 (San Juans/Orcas and ONP). I think with your interests you would get the most out of these places. They are both easily accessible from Seattle.

The only "Con" I can think of will be the weather. It will likely be cool & rainy in late September, so if you are planning to go hiking, kayaking, etc., bring your rain gear and clothing to keep you warm and dry in the elements.

suze

I'm confused by "Fri nite to Sun". Do you have only 3 days or 10 days total for the trip?

Gardyloo

...are trying to decide between (1) time on the islands (San Juan or Orcas), (2) travel to Victoria with drive to Whistler or (3) Olympic National Park.

No. 2 is geographically mixed up. Victoria is on Vancouver Island, Whistler is on the mainland north of Vancouver.

Late September is a transitional period; you can get warm sun or wet days, or sometimes both in a short period.

I personally think Olympic NP is so special that you should include it if at all possible.

I'd look at a big loop - Seattle to Port Angeles, visit some Olympic NP sites, then ferry to Victoria for a day's visit, then ferry to Vancouver, then back to Seattle, maybe via a scenic spot in the Cascades, like this - https://goo.gl/maps/wV4iDe7gNS62

This features some key places in Olympic NP - Hurricane Ridge, one of the wonderful beaches near La Push, and the incomparable Hoh rain forest. Then you'd ferry from Port Angeles over to Victoria and spend a day in that city, then another ferry to Tsawwassen, close to Vancouver, followed by a couple of days in that city. Finally you'd return to Seattle, but here I've added in a side trip to Picture Lake and Artist Point on the Mount Baker Highway for (hopefully) stunning views of Mts. Baker and Shuksan with autumn color about, e.g. http://images.summitpost.org/original/880590.jpg

Fri Arr Seattle
Sat Seattle
Sun To Hurricane Ridge, overnight Port Angeles
Mon Day trip to Hoh and La Push, overnight PA
Tue Morning ferry to Victoria, overnight Victoria
Wed Morning ferry to Vancouver
Thu Vancouver
Fri PM to Alderwood BC or Sumas WA
Sat AM to Artist Point/Picture Lake, PM to Seattle
Sun Dep.

This is pretty aggressive; you could also skip Victoria, return to the mainland from Port Angeles via the Port Townsend - Whidbey Island ferry, then north to Vancouver and back to Seattle as before - https://goo.gl/maps/Vnu4mZ2xwyy

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

MCHS

Sorry for the confusion. 10 days and should have been Vancouver to Whistler.

happytrailstoyou

My choice would be to divide time among Orcas Island, the Olympic Peninsula, and Victoria (which can be accessed by ferry from Port Angeles).

Orcas Island is a beautiful and (I believe) unique place that offers everything you are looking for. The island publishes an excellent guide for travelers:
https://issuu.com/orcaschamber/docs/..._guide_for_web

Victoria is a delightful provincial town.

If you choose this option, make Washington ferry reservations well in advance. Routing options include Anacortes-Orcas, Orcas-Anacortes, Coupeville-Sidney BC, Victoria-Port Angeles (Black Ball Line).

HTtY

Kathie

HTtY, is there a reason you didn't suggest taking the ferry from Orcas to Sydney (near Victoria) rather than going back to Anacortes, etc?

happytrailstoyou

That would be I deal, but I don't know exactly when they are traveling, and I don't know if that will be possible after September 17 because the Fall Schedule is not yet on wsdot.com

Up until 9/17 they could take the 6:55 from Orcas to Friday Harbor to connect with the 9:45 ferry to Sidney.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/pdf/2016Summer.pdf

HTtY

EYWandBTV

I'll second, or third, the suggestions of this loop, which I made a while ago: Seattle up to Cascades, hike up to top ridge, back down, stay someplace, then on to Vancouver, ferry to Victoria, and then ferry to Port Angeles, Olympic NP (don't miss the Hoh temperate zone rainforest), return to Seattle. A great variety of scenery, urban areas, and outdoor things to do.

Kathie

HTtY, I missed that they would be doing this in late Sept. True, the fall schedule has not been published, but I would expect this to be possible. Note that you MUST make reservations for the ferry to Sydney.

kperaka

I would say Olympic National Forest for sure if you like nature. We went there last November and it was really good even though bit chilly with frost. We are not very athletic and hikes there were manageable for us (at-least the ones we went to). If interested, you can read our trip which might help you with itinerary.

http://www.lifeasweexplore.com/home/...tional-park-wa

MCHS

Thank you all for your help. After thinking it through we decided to scale back on the number of places and enjoy more time at each. We will stay on Orca for 3 days and on the Olympic peninsula for 3 days.

Can any of your recommend tour operators or outfitters for kayaking or boat trips on Orcas? Also any other not to miss ideas helpful.