What a wonderful few days I had hiking the trails of the Olympic National Park.
We camped at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Took a hike to the Sol Duc falls, which were beautiful. Drove around to the Olympic hot springs (natural setting compared to the resort style Sol Duc springs). Hiked to Deer Lake. Drove around Crescent Lake. Saw the Salmon Cascades sans salmon. Froze in the melt off fed river. Got eaten alive (as I always do) by the bugs of the night. Had a roaring fire. Ate like kings. Dined at the Sol Duc restaurant (I had grilled chicken layered with a giant portobello mushroom).
The weather was perfect. By far my favorite experience was the hike to Deer Lake. Past the Sol Duc falls and almost straight up another 2100 feet the lake was picturesque and tranquil. Another 1000 feet up was the snow capped mountains. If we had had the time and energy it would have been great to hike up to the snow line and frolic in the snow! The trout jumped and splashed about the lake as the few hikers and campers enjoyed the views and peacefulness. It was a day that really helped get perspective on things.
Hey! Glad to hear that you had a good time! It sounds wonderful…..hopefully someday, Brian, Jared and I will be able to experience it ourselves!
Hope all is well with you – take care!
Wow! you didn’t see much of the Olympic mountains if what you wrote is all you seen. You still have another 361 days of hiking and then you can do the other side next year.
Try the Ho Rainforest next time.
And don’t forget the eastern slopes of the Cascades and the surrounding foothills. Absolutely beautiful no matter what time of the year!
The Cascades and the Olympics are the greatest places to be in the summer. Winter is another story….