Olympic National Park and Vicinity

We are planning on visiting Olympic National Park and vicinity in mid to late October. We were thinking of spending the first night near Union in the Hood canal area, then a night in the Lake Quinalt area, then 3 nights in the Forks area, and finally 3 nights in Port Angeles. In the Forks area we would like to spend time at the Hoh rain forest, the beaches, Neah Bay, and the Sol Duc River.

1. Would it be better to only spend 2 nights in the Forks area and add the extra night to Hood Canal or Lake Quinalt?
2. Is there much to photograph in the Lake Quinalt area? Which rain forest would have more photographic opportunities, Lake Quinalt or Hoh?
3. I think we will be staying at the Brightwater Inn in the Forks area. Where do you eat around there?
4. We will be renting a car. Would a regular car be OK? Do we need 4 wheel drive or a high clearance from the road? Might there be snow there this time of year?
5. Any other suggestions?

Have you posted this over at the Pacific Northwest section here at NPN? Lots of friendly and knowledgeable folks over there. I bet you'll get lots of help.

Thanks Hank. I just put a link there at your suggestion. I did'nt want to double post.

Another resource:
http://www.nwphotographers.net/forum

IMO, there's lots to do around Forks: Sol Duc River is very good for photography as is Ruby Beach, both of which are easy to get to and do not require 4WD or high clearance; access is right off the highway. While in Port Angeles DO go up to Hurricane Ridge. Many good hiking and walking trails there and lots of critters, maybe even Roosevelt Elk. Lots to see in other places you are going, too, but I wouldn't sacrifice time in Forks. Lots of little eateries in Forks. Try the pizza place at the south end of town just past the airport. I am sure you'll gets lots of other good info from other PNWNP'ers too. Welcome and have a great time. BTW, no worries about snow in Oct. but be well prepared for damp cool weather, including some heavy rain storms. Don't stop the photography, however. Rainy is THE PNW look: lush green, fog and mist in forest and at coast, moody skies. Hope this helps.

Forks is a good base for the wonders of the coast. It is central to Ruby, Beach 4, Kalaloch, Second Beach near La Push , (must see), Rialto beach near Mora as well. I have just gotten back from the coast and I personally feel the Hoh rainforest is better than Quinault. But that is just my opinion. Sol Duc Falls is a 40 mile drive from Forks and a recommended spot as well. as Catherine stated it should be wet. But in this day and age of climate uncertainty it could be sunny and dry. Who knows.

Up at Hurricane Ridge there is a dirt road that goes down the hill on the right just as you are leaving the parking lot towards PA. It is easy to miss. This road will take you out to Obstruction Ridge, about 15 miles. While there are some steep grades you should have no problem in a standard car. Worth the trip.

Doyle

Don't bother staying on the Kitsap. Union is close enough to Bremerton that you might as well stay in Bremerton. If you want to stay on Hood Canal, then go over to some place like Hoodsport, Quilcene or Port Ludlow, but you'd be a lot closer to the good stuff making the drive to Forks or Quinault in a day (its about 2 1/2 - 3 hours from the ferries to Forks). Quinault is only an hour south of Forks too, so don't worry too much about staying in one place then moving to a second place. Both are good base camps for the west side of the Olympics. Forks is better if you want to go to the Sol Duc and Hoh areas, Quinault is better for the Quinault area (duh).

Thanks for the extra link AJ!

You're right Catherine. I love the PNW look Thanks for the tips!

Jim, it sounds like I'll have plenty to shoot and see spending 3 days in the forks area. Thanks!

Sounds good Doyle! I'll look for it.

Bryan-Near Union seemed to be a good short trip after first arriving from the Seattle airport. Didn't want to drive too much the first day. Will consider the other alternatives. My wife has been doing the planning, but she is reading these posts too. Thanks for you help!

Bryan,

I just returned to CA from a trip with my teenage grandson to Lake Quinault last week. We drove the perimeter of the lake and found a few waterfalls and not a single critter. To be honest, after driving past Lake Crescent, I was disappointed in Quinault. It was smaller than I expected and a little too touristy for me. Lake Crescent looked awesome and I'll definitely stay there next time. In all fairness, there may be some nice hiking trails around Quinault. I didn't get to explore them because I broke three ribs in a fall on Mt. Rainer a couple of days before my Quinault visit. The Olympic Peninsula is amazing and there's so much to see and do there. I'd agree that Forks is a better stopping off point than Quinault. There are few places to eat in Quinault (3) and many choices in Forks. On your way back, the ferry ride into Seattle from Bremerton is nice if the weather cooperates. Dress really warm if you want to take photos of the Seattle skyline going in. If you're like us, you'll wish you had more time to spend exploring the Peninsula.

Johnnie

Johnette,
To really experience Quinault properly, you do have to walk. Lake Crescent is definitely a more scenic lake, but the forests in the Quinault area simply blow away anything on the north side of the peninsula.

Thanks Bryan,

Maybe I'll have to give Quinault another try after the ribs have healed and I can do some hiking. I missed a lot because of my injuries, but I'm definitely planning another trip back there. Maybe Barry can let us know how his trip went when they return. Would love to hear about it.

Johnnie

Thanks Johnnie and again Bryan. OK, I'll report back after the trip. But whats not to like? Seems it will be hard to make a bad decision, at least I hope it will!

I'd forget the Hood Canal and concentrate on the Hoh Rainforest.