Posted by Bill Fach on September 8, 2013 at 2:07 AM
Looks like we are on our way to NW Washington October 12-26. Will spend the first 3 days at Mount Rainier and then off to ONP for the week of October 15-22. We want to pitch our tent while in Olympic. We've only been to Kalaloch but its a bit too far south for the stuff I want to shoot this time further up the coast and at Sol Duc. We don't mind moving around a little. Can anyone comment on the Sol Duc, Mora, and Hoh campgrounds? Also, any chance at fall color in either park that part of October? Any help greatly appreciated.
It's a great time to be here in thr Great PNW, Bill! For Fall color in both parks, bound to find some but hard to predict timing and exact loaction 'til closer to October. Suggest you continue to watch the forum. As we get out and about, there will be relevant posts. Our group is planning a return trip to the Mt. Adams-Trout Lake area for Fall color on the weekend of the 18th, so be optimistic for good color at Mt. Rainier: Paradise, Ohanepacosh, Stevens Canyon– in other words plan to do the mountain loop; you'll have plenty of time. It's been a long time since I've pitched a tent, and I hope to never again! But as well as checking with the Olympic National Park website, the town of Forks is a good base for the Coast! Especially the Hoh. I think so is Ozette for farther north. If you are okay about roughing it, you camp right on the beach. Be sure to get a tide book! Hope more of our folks will chime in with more suggestions for you. The Rangers at both parks can tell you exactly where to find the color, how the trails and roads are, wildlife sightings, etc. BTW, in WA you must have tire chains in your car whenever you travel in the mountains. I, for one, will look forward to seeing some great shots of your trip!
Posted by Dennis Plank on September 8, 2013 at 7:02 PM
Hi Bill:
My wife and I are planning to be in that area next week after next and hopefully will be in the Hoh campground. I'll let you know what it's like. There's a state Dept of Natural Resources campground out near the road as well that I've used-it has great campsites. Ozette is nice but it can be a bit far to other stuff, depending on what you're looking for. You can camp at Ozette lake itself or hike in a couple of miles on a boardwalk. If fall rains have started, the boardwalk can be a git treacherous. I used to tie some of those green scrub pads to the bottom of my boots for traction after taking a few spills.
Posted by Steve Kennedy on September 10, 2013 at 11:49 PM
Posted by Greg Vaughn on September 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Mora Campground is very nice, heavily forested and convenient for visiting Second Beach and Rialto Beach. The Hoh campground is also very nice, and there is a resident herd of Roosevelt Elk that wander through the area. I haven't stayed at the Sol Duc campground, but I think it would be fine, and it's next to the hot springs resort.
Likely you'll find some nice fall color in late October around the Hoh Rainforest, and elsewhere. The peak is usually around the end of the month.
You might also consider a trip out to the Makah Indian Reservation on the very NW tip of the Olympic Peninsula. A short hike out to Cape Flattery is great for late afternoon to sunset photos, or a longer hike to Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches. Camping is available on the reservation at Hobuck Beach.
Discussion
4 repliesMy wife and I are planning to be in that area next week after next and hopefully will be in the Hoh campground. I'll let you know what it's like. There's a state Dept of Natural Resources campground out near the road as well that I've used-it has great campsites. Ozette is nice but it can be a bit far to other stuff, depending on what you're looking for. You can camp at Ozette lake itself or hike in a couple of miles on a boardwalk. If fall rains have started, the boardwalk can be a git treacherous. I used to tie some of those green scrub pads to the bottom of my boots for traction after taking a few spills.
Likely you'll find some nice fall color in late October around the Hoh Rainforest, and elsewhere. The peak is usually around the end of the month.
You might also consider a trip out to the Makah Indian Reservation on the very NW tip of the Olympic Peninsula. A short hike out to Cape Flattery is great for late afternoon to sunset photos, or a longer hike to Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches. Camping is available on the reservation at Hobuck Beach.