Olympic Peninsula, Washington 72-Hour Vacation

Nature Beckons A lush, serene world awaits you on the Olympic Peninsula

Day 1 / Where to Stay Day 2 / Where to Eat Day 3 / What to See & Do

Rainforest in Olympic National Park

DAY 3

On the third day, there are several options for enjoying the Olympic Peninsula. You might elect to spend the entire day boating on Lake Crescent , or you could go fishing, relax on the beach in the shade of the gigantic fir trees, or walk the Moments in Time Natural Trail, a 1/2-mile loop that weaves its way through old homestead sites, along the banks of the lake to Marymere Falls. This deep blue body of water, a gem embedded amid green mountains, is so stunning you might want to linger on its banks forever. But take time to discover another special feature of Olympic National Park: its rainforest, one of only three temperate rainforests on the planet. To discover this rare botanical world, you will again follow US Highway 101 west. Along the way—if you want to see everything—exit Highway 101 at Sol Duc Hot Springs and bathe in the three natural hot pools. If you still have time and energy, hike the 0.8 mile to Sol Duc Falls and cross the canyon for an up close and personal view of crashing sheets of water. Sol Duc Falls is one of the only easily reachable falls that you can view from above.

Sol Duc Hot Springs

After a relaxing dip in the hot springs, return to US Highway 101 west. To check-out  the waterfall trail along the route,  make a quick stop at Beaver Falls, a short detour onto Highway 113. Stop at the first pull out on the right and you will hear and see the upper and lower falls. Spring runoff is spectacular and the pools of the lower falls look like good summer cooling off spots. Be careful if you climb down the root ladders to get a closer look.

Next up: Forks, Twilight central of the peninsula. As all Twi-hards know, Forks is the setting of the popular Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books. Residents of Forks have embraced their fame and play along with the idea that the Swans and Cullens really do live there. The hospital has a parking space designated for Dr. Cullen and houses pretend to be residences of characters. The Visitor Center has a red truck in its parking lot that resembles the one the main character, Bella, drives in the movie. It's a favorite prop for photographs! From the Visitor Center you can also take the Logging Tour during certain times of the year. Forks is the commercial hub for the area with mild temperatures year-round, making it a perfect stop in any season.

Sullly's Drive-In is as local as a burger place can get! Good burgers at a good price. For fun family dining, check out Forks Coffee Shop for its giant pancakes and homemade pies. The Manitou Lodge, a quiet getaway west of Forks, is located on 10 acres of coastal rainforest where the gentle sounds of the night forest will lull you to sleep. Or spend the night at the family-friendly Olympic Suites Inn along the Calawah River, or one of the area's charming bed & breakfast inns.

The highlight of your inland trip is a short drive, just 19 miles away, inland: the Hoh Rainforest. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the Hoh Rainforest receives 150 inches of annual rainfall—compared with 16 inches for the eastern part of the peninsula. Moderate temperatures, summer fog and plenty of moisture are the necessary components of the temperate rainforest, distinguishing it from a tropical rainforest. The Hoh contains spectacular Sitka spruces and western Hemlocks towering 300 feet tall and forming a dense green canopy above. The forest floor is carpeted with plants, while mosses, lichen, ferns and sorrel thrive under the evergreen canopy. This thick and diverse habitat is ideal for indigenous wildlife such as cougar, elk and numerous bird species. Several loop trails offer an easy stroll and an excellent introduction to the forest: The three-quarter-mile-long Hall of Mosses trail features dramatic moss-draped maples, while the one-and-a-quarter mile Spruce Nature Trail takes you through forests of red alder and cottonwood. If you have time to linger, there are many more hikes, river float trips and kayak tours available.

View from Kalaloch Lodge

From the Hoh Rainforest, spend the night in the nearby town of Forks, nestled between the mountains and the wild ocean beaches. Forks is the commercial hub for the area with mild temperatures year-round, making it a perfect stop in any season. The Manitou Lodge, a quiet getaway just west of Forks, is located on ten acres of coastal rainforest where the gentle sounds of the night forest will lull you to sleep. Or spend the night at the family-friendly Olympic Suites Inn along the Calawah River.

The next day, take the four to five hour drive around the Olympic Peninsula on US Highway 101 before completing the peninsula loop and heading back to Olympia. Or make a slight detour and head towards the water—the Pacific Ocean, of course. About 20 miles south of Forks, where the forest meets the ocean, stop at Ruby Beach, Beach 4 or Kalaloch Beach, where never-ending scenes of sea stacks, driftwood, and green trees enchant the view. It's hard to tell one beach from another—it's one long stretch of rugged beauty here —but everywhere you'll find tide pools to explore, soaring eagles and gulls to observe, and sleek otters at play. If you're tempted to spend the night, Kalaloch Lodge offers cabins set on a bluff right beside the beach.

The next stop on your return trip is at Lake Quinault Lodge. Like Lake Crescent, Lake Quinault is bluer than blue, surrounded by lush trees and has an historic National Park lodge on its shore. You will find some of the finest Olympic Coast cuisine served in the dining room where President Roosevelt once dined. If you weren't tempted to stay the night at Kalaloch Lodge, you likely will be tempted here. Built in 1926, the Lodge has the style of the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone and Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stayed here during his visit to the Olympic Peninsula when the idea of establishing a national park was discussed. It was only nine months later that he signed the bill creating Olympic National Park. There are several waterfalls in the area: Willaby Creek, Gatton Creek, Merriman and Bunch Creek Falls.

Yes, there is a lot to see and do on the Olympic Peninsula. As you leave the tranquil greenery of the Olympic Peninsula behind, we guarantee you'll be planning your next trip to catch whatever you missed.

For more information about the Olympic Peninsula, visit:

www.olympicpeninsula.org
www.olympicpeninsulawaterfalltrail.com
www.olympicculinaryloop.com

(Updated: 02/16/12 NW)