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Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:20 PM
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This past weekend my wife and I made a trip out to Olympic National Park. This was a celebatory trip as Marie just finished her Master's degree  The trip down went well as we travelled via the Port Townsend ferry to our base camp (aka. hotel) in Port Townsend. We immediately drove up to Hurricane Ridge and had a look around. Just like our mountains to the North, they have over 250% more snow than normal. The ridge a mere 13 feet.
Many peaks to explore in this region and other 1000 kms of high quality trails. What I found most beautiful were the endless valleys with no logging. A site you are hard pressed to find in BC.
       
The next day out to the Hoh Valley. This is an incredible place that reminded me alot of the Chilliwack Lake Conservation Valley, on a grand scale. Massive tree after massive tree all shrouded in every hue of greenery. I enjoyed reading the last line on the World Heritage plaque. Have a read.
         
Finally explored the coastal area around Rialto Beach. The beach is made up of tiny stones rather than sand and are mostly black with flecks of other colours mixed in. Not like many beaches we have been to before. Some nice gusts had us bring the kite out.
    
This is a great place to visit and I highly recommend it. It had me contemplating particularly on the Hoh Valley and what we have as an equivalent in BC. I really couldnt think of anything. Small pockets of old growth and rain forest protected on Vancouver island and specks on the map like the Chilliwack Lake Preserve, but nothing comparable on the scale of Olympic Park. Places like Pacific Spirit Bear park on working in the right direction, but the shear size of Olympic is breathtaking.
Collectively I think the US has done a better job of preserving landscapes like the Hoh and blending them with working forests/lands surrounding it. We met some people that work in the forests in a logging town near Forks who shared this appreciation.
The closing thought - Olympic is a wonderful place to visit and continue to advocate for places that preserve our old growth rain forest. |
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 Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13465 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:35 PM
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Thanks a mint for posting. Getting into Olympic park has been one of my dreams.
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13055 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 9:58 PM
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| Nice report, I'd sure like to spend more time in Olympic NP too, Jeremy. Great selection of photos, and Marie, congrats on finishing the degree. |
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Vancouver, bc
Canada
1009 Posts |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2011 : 10:23 AM
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Sweet trip. We were lucky enough to live on the Kitsap Peninsula for a year so we had the chance to explore Olympic National Park in every season. The Hoh River Valley is one of my most favourite places. A great places for both adults and kids. My daughter absolutley loved it there...the huge trees, everything so green, elk, owls, bears, and playing in the river.
We try to get there at least once a year. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2011 : 6:31 PM
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first, congratulations on your wife getting her masters. Awesome!! Second, what a nice
reward! Beautiful weather, fantastic destination!! So different from my desert; that I love so much. We're at 188% down here in the high desert peaks with snowpack, too.
What a great place. You both look so happy. Nice. thanks!
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Port Douglas, BC
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2011 : 5:09 PM
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"This is a great place to visit and I highly recommend it. It had me contemplating particularly on the Hoh Valley and what we have as an equivalent in BC. I really couldnt think of anything".....
I totally agree with you...we go to the Olympic a few times a year, and its always a good time...except we usually stay in La Push, Im not allowed in Forks
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13465 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2011 : 1:50 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Marduk
"This is a great place to visit and I highly recommend it. It had me contemplating particularly on the Hoh Valley and what we have as an equivalent in BC. I really couldnt think of anything".....
I totally agree with you...we go to the Olympic a few times a year, and its always a good time...except we usually stay in La Push, Im not allowed in Forks
Adam
Thanks for posting this, often wanted to get up there... my closet opportunity was on a coastal drive-by in 2006.
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A reflection on the Hoh Valley
