Posted by Laurie Wendt on June 13, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Hi Everyone,
For my first visit to the state I have decided that I want to visit Rainier NP for 3-4 days the 3rd week of August (can't come earlier). I've spent a few weeks going through all the threads on PNWNP and can't seem to make up my mind on were else to go in Washington. I'm really stumped and hope you can help. I had considered Olympic NP but it seems to me I could easily spend a week there by itself. Tell me if I'm wrong.
So where would you send a 1st timer if they had 2-3 days.
I'm mainly interested in scenic landscapes with mountains views.
If you're primarily interested in mountain views there are a few choices besides Rainier. One would be Mount Shuksan/Mount Baker. You can shoot both from the same general location around the Mount Baker Ski Resort. Shuksan could be an evening shot from Highwood and/or Picture Lakes and Baker can be a morning shot from the Artist Point/Kulshan Ridge area.
Another couple of options would be Mount Saint Helens and the Olympic mountains from Hurricane Ridge. Flowers should be long gone in both locations by the 3rd week of August. You could do Hurricane Ridge (accessed out of Port Angeles) and parts of Olympic National Park (such as Second Beach, Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, the Hoh rainforest) in the same trip as they are relatively close to one another. You want overcast for the Hoh and by the end of August it may look a little fried in there....May is usually best.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on June 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Thanks Mark for all the suggestions. If I wanted to try and hit the flowers blooming on Hurricane Ridge when would that be, mid July?
Posted by Mark Windom on June 13, 2009 at 11:27 PM
It's variable from year to year but mid-July is usually a pretty good bet.
Hurricane Ridge is usually one of the first places to bloom. Its pretty much completely melted out now and the Lupine is starting to pop. Avalanche Lillies should be out in force shortly, probably peaking before July.
I'm a little bias (since I live here) but I would suggest the San Juan Islands. The landscapes are fantastic, and you can get some great shots of Mt. Baker and the Olympic Peninsula with waterscapes in the foreground. Not to mention, it's still a peak time to see the orcas, and harbor seals, bald eagles, porpoises, etc. are abundant. 2-3 days is a great amount of time to really take in San Juan Island, and there are a variety of habitats here. American Camp National Historic Park is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen for sweeping landscape shots.
What Mark said. Yes, you could easily spend a week in Olympic NP, but you can also do a lot in 2-3 days. Even without wildflowers Hurricane Ridge should be good, and I'd prioritize the coast areas and Hoh rainforest in the same order as Mark has them listed.
Discussion
6 repliesFor my first visit to the state I have decided that I want to visit Rainier NP for 3-4 days the 3rd week of August (can't come earlier). I've spent a few weeks going through all the threads on PNWNP and can't seem to make up my mind on were else to go in Washington. I'm really stumped and hope you can help. I had considered Olympic NP but it seems to me I could easily spend a week there by itself. Tell me if I'm wrong.
So where would you send a 1st timer if they had 2-3 days.
I'm mainly interested in scenic landscapes with mountains views.
Thanks for help
Another couple of options would be Mount Saint Helens and the Olympic mountains from Hurricane Ridge. Flowers should be long gone in both locations by the 3rd week of August. You could do Hurricane Ridge (accessed out of Port Angeles) and parts of Olympic National Park (such as Second Beach, Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, the Hoh rainforest) in the same trip as they are relatively close to one another. You want overcast for the Hoh and by the end of August it may look a little fried in there....May is usually best.
What Mark said. Yes, you could easily spend a week in Olympic NP, but you can also do a lot in 2-3 days. Even without wildflowers Hurricane Ridge should be good, and I'd prioritize the coast areas and Hoh rainforest in the same order as Mark has them listed.