"Wild and Green" a Olympic National Park Travel Page by Toughluck

The Olympics are framed by the Ocean. On all sides there is water. The Pacific to the west, the Straits of Juan de Fuca to the north, and Puget Sound nestles up on the east. But no where is the power of nature more dramatic than along the Pacific Coast. At low tide, you can walk for miles on wide sandy beaches. But be on high ground before the tide roles in for you'll find retreat cut off and the mass of jumbled logs thrashing in the surf, ready to crush the unwary traveler in their death grip.

Peace full vallies reach from the surrounding waters up into the embrace of the Olympics. Crystal blue lakes, pleasant lodges, massive furs and tiny creatures all vie for their piece of eden. Be sure to make that side trip into one or more of these vallies. The western flanks are drapped with mosses of the rain forest. The best known being the Hoh, but there are two other vallies that compete for prominence. The eastern flanks find dryer and more open vallies and offer a change from the thickets that most visitor find so unlike any where else in the world.

Few roads lead into the high peaks. Only the Hurricaine Ridge takes you to the highest outlooks in the Olympics. It is one place that is a must on any visitors list. Make time to get out of your car and walk some of the trails. Either start in the vallies and walk up. At least you'll be going down hill on the return. Or drive to the ridge and walk the trails in the high meadows or down into the vallies. Be sure to save your energy and time for the climb back to the parking lot. If you have the time and companions, try parking one vehicle in the valley and then drive to Hurricane Ridge to walk the trail back down to your waiting vehicles. Time spent in the high country is always treasured.