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The Olympic Peninsula has much to offer for recreational ideas: arts, festivals and of course scenic beauty. Below you will find pictures of the Olympic Peninsula and links to many area attractions, restaurants and the Victoria Ferries. We have also included a 5 day planner to the area. Please also see our Itineraries that we have created which reflect one to three day stays at our Bed and Breakfast.
Day 1 Hurricane Ridge
The must see jewel of the Olympic National Park.
Hurricane Ridge is an easy 17 mile drive taking you up to 5,200 feet
elevation. The spectacular mountains are beauty beyond words. The day lodge and many
trails offer breath taking views of the glacier-clad peaks of the Olympic Mountains,
panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the alpine meadows.
Numerous trails range from easy to very difficult, making it possible for all
people to enjoy the area's beauty.
One can take a picnic lunch and spend the day at Hurricane Ridge and cap off
the day by watching an awesome sunset.
Day 2 Lake Crescent & Sol Duc Area
Lake Crescent is a crystal clear 12-mile long lake located 17 miles west of
Port Angeles on Highway 101. The glacier-carved lake offers swimming, boating and fishing.
There are numerous places to get away from it all and to soak in the awesomeness of
nature. Marymere Falls is a mostly level one mile hike from Storm King Ranger Station.
This walk takes you thru the forest of moss covered trees and large ferns. The Pyramid Mt.
Trail reached from the North Shore Road offers an excellent view of Lake Crescent, Mt.
Storm King and the blue-green slopes of Aurora Ridge. One can also hike along the north
side of the lake on the Spruce Railroad Trail (named after the railroad that was there
during WWI). The rail was used to haul out spruce to make airplanes for use in the war.
There are numerous places around the lake to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Dining is available at Lake Crescent Lodge and Log Cabin Resort.
Driving west on Highway 101 takes you to the Sol Duc Valley road just west of
Lake Crescent. The approximately 12 mile drive winds thru the valley. Two areas of interest
along the way are the Salmon Cascades and Ancient Forest Trail. The Sol Duc Hot Springs
Resort offers dining, a small store & gift shop and three mineral pools and a fresh
Water Pool. Soaking in the hot mineral pools is a great way to relax those sore muscles
after hiking all day.
The spectacular Sol Duc Falls are a must see!! The trail head is located a
short drive past the resort and camp grounds. Several trails take off from the Sol Duc
Falls Trail taking you up into the Seven Lakes Basin.
Day 3 Hoh Rain Forest and Wild Coastal Beaches
The Hoh Rain Forest is a not-to-be-missed attraction here on the Olympic
Peninsula. Moist ocean air from the Pacific brings over 150" (record of 211") of
annual rainfall to this area, which, along with presence of Sitka spruce and
"colonnades" (row of trees that grew atop downed trees called "nurse
logs"), qualify the west-facing valleys of the Olympics as the only temperate rain
forests in the northern hemisphere! The park was established in 1938 after President
Franklin D. Roosevelt visited and was duly impressed with the region and it's wildlife.
Three loop trails near the Hoh Visitor Center are easy to stroll and give a great sampling
of the area: The Hall of Mosses Trail is 3/4 mile and shows the moss-draped maples,
magically green in the spring, spectacular with color in the fall and a treat any time of
year; the 1 1/4 mile Spruce Trail follows the Hoh River along red alder and maple
"bottom", and shows the landscape carved by this glacier-fed river; and a paved
1/4 mile path suitable for a wheelchair or stroller. The year- round Visitor Center is the
starting point for many longer and more challenging hikes up to the alpine meadows and
glaciers.
The Hoh Rain Forest is located 100 miles west of Domaine Madeleines Bed and
Breakfast taking Highway 101 thru the town of Forks.
Scenic shores with easy access are found in the Kalaloch (pronounced
kalay-lock) area, just 15 south of the Rain Forest Road. Beach Trail 4 is a pebble beach
with a dramatic surf (beware of the strong undertow), tidal pools and is a popular place
to dip for smelt. Picturesque Ruby Beach with a meandering creek and dramatic sea stacks
is named for the garnet-colored sand. Miners panned for gold here earlier in this century.
Rialto Beach, north of the Quillayute River, is one of the few drive-to
beaches in the area and a beautiful spot to enjoy the surf and watch shorebirds, eagles
and seals. On the south side of the river, at La Push, First Beach is a mile-long crescent
known for surfing-size waves and great whale watching. Kayakers, surfers and seals add to
the view. Second Beach, just east of La Push, is popular with photographers and is reached
by way of a .6 mile forested trail that leads to a 2 mile long sandy stretch of beach with
sea stacks and tidal pools - watch for the eagle nest above the tree line. Third beach, a
mile east of Second beach, is a mostly-level 1.5 mile trail through natural second growth
forest, a result of winds up to 170 mph in January 1921. The "21 Blow" leveled
nearly 8 billion board feet of timber, enough to construct 600,000 3-bedroom homes. In the
fall, mushrooms flourish under the forest canopy, be sure to take along a guide book.
Day 4 Neah Bay, Cape Flattery, Makah Museum, Lake Ozette
Head to the most Northwestern tip of the lower 48, visiting Cape Flattery on
the Makah Reservation located 75 miles NW of PA on Hwy 112. Cape Flattery is located
approx 7 miles from Neah Bay. The newly constructed wooden walk way takes you to some of
the most gorgeous, rugged and wild scenery on the Pacific Coast.
Be sure to take time to explore the internationally known Makah Museum. The
museum is open every day during the summer months and closed Mondays and Tuesdays from
Sept. 16 through May 31. Hours are 10AM-5PM. The Makah Museum is the nation's sole
repository for archalogical discoveries at the Makah Coastal village of Ozette. The
centuries old village was located 15 miles south of present day Neah Bay. Ozette served
the Makah people as a year-around home well into the 20th century.
In 1970 tidal erosion exposed a group of 500 year old Ozette homes that have
been perfectly preserved in an ancient mud slide. The thousands of artifacts subsequently
discovered have helped recreate Makahs' rich and exciting history as whalers, fishermen,
hunters, gatherers, crafts people, basket weavers, and warriors. Lake Ozette is located
off of Hwy 112 on the Hoko-Ozette Road and follow the road 21 miles to the Ozette Ranger
Station.
Three miles of planked trail lead the hiker to Sand Point, one of the most
beautiful and primitive beaches on the coast. Continuing north along the beach you will
find dozens of Indian petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks, ask for the interpretive handout at
the ranger station. The northern point of this 9 mile triangular trail is Cape Alava, with
a rocky shore and reefs to explore at low tide. Cape Alava is also the site of an ancient
Makah village. The site is now closed and marked with a small sign. Be sure to check a
tide table and carry the 10 essentials - and lots of film as seals, deer, eagles and
perhaps osprey, otters and whales may be there, rain or shine! Hike north to Cape Alava
along the beach to keep the ocean breeze at your back, and avoid vibram- soled shoes as
the cedar plank walkway can be slick!
Day 5 Victoria, BC, Canada
Enjoy the sparkling lights of Victoria by night from your guest room at
Domaine Madeleine's Bed and Breakfast. By day take a ferry over to Victoria and enjoy the
friendly, flowered English city.
The 18 mile crossing time is 1 1/2 hours. Phone 360-457-4491. The M.V.Coho Ferry operates all year except for 2
weeks in January. The Victoria Express is
a passenger only ferry. Crossing time is 1 hour. Phone 1-800-633-1589 or 360-452-8088.
Reservations accepted. Dates of operation: mid-May thru mid-October. Early morning
breakfast is served for guests going to Victoria. A vehicle is not necessary for a day
trip. There are numerous tours available as well as excellent public transportation.
While in Victoria, you'll have a vast array of activities to choose from
including the world famous Butchart Gardens founded in 1904. From the exquisite Sunken
Garden (once a limestone quarry) to the charming Rose, Japanese and Stalion gardens, this
50 acre showplace still maintains the gracious traditions of the past. The Royal B.C.
museum is located in the Inner Harbour area. The well designed museum offers something for
everyone. Also located in the Inner Harbour is the grand old Empress Hotel; be sure to
browse thru the many intriguing shops and perhaps linger awhile and enjoy High Tea.
Another interesting part of Victoria's history is the Craigdarroch Castle built in the
late 1800's by Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver
Island coal.
Remember; Victoria is located in a foreign country and picture ID is required
to enter and leave Canada. U.S. Customs phone # is 360-457-1221.
Olympic National Park
Park fee: A pass is required to enter the Olympic National Park. The fee is $10.00 per car
load and is good for 7 days. It can be attained at any of the Park entrances. No pass is
required during the winter months for the Elwha Valley or the Sol Duc Valley. Phone # for
Olympic National Park Visitors Center in Port Angeles is 360-452-2713.
Activities that take less then a full day.
1. Salt creek County Park located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Port Angeles
offers fascinating tidal pools, (ask your hosts regarding tide tables).
2. The Dungeness Spit and Wildlife Refuge offers great beach hiking and wildlife.
3. The Olympic Game Farm in Sequim is great for children of all ages.
4. Ediz Hook in Port Angeles provides great views of the Olympic and Cascade mountains.
Ediz Hook is part of the 5.5 miles of Waterfront Trail; perfect for jogging, walking,
biking, or roller blading.
5. The Elwha Valley west of Port Angeles is a beautiful drive along the rushing Elwha
River. Madison Falls is an easy hike. Further up the valley beyond Lake Mills is the trail
head to the Olympic Hot Springs.
6. Port Townsend, known as "Washington's Victorian Seaport" is located 40 miles
east of Domaine Madeleines Bed and Breakfast. Victorian homes and commercial buildings
erected during the late 1800s are still the cities trademark, along Fort Worden State
Park.
This information complied by The Forks Chamber of Commerce and InsideOut Marketing & Web Solutions
Fishing Charters in the Port Angeles Area
Port Angeles Charters
1014 Marine Dr., Port Angeles
(360) 457 7629
FISH-ON The Lucky Strike Year Round Salmon fishing, Halibut, bottom fish
Port Angeles
(360) 683 2416
WATERS WEST Fly Fishing Outfitters
219 N. Oak St. Port Angeles
(360) 417 0937
Greywolf Angler- Fly fishing lessons
9 Miles S of Sequim, on Gardiner Road
(360) 797 7177
Admiralty Charters
John Wayne Marina
(360) 683 1097
Dungeness Charters
2451 Woodcock Rd. Sequim
(360) 683 8873
Johnson Norrie Guide Service Fall Salmon/Winter Steelhead
(360) 374 3204
Kayaking
Adventures Through Kayaking
(360) 417-3015
www.atkayaking.com
Olympic Raft & Kayak
(360) 452-1443
www.raftandkayak.com
Sound Bike and Kayak
(360) 457-1240
www.soundbikeskayaks.com
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