Olympic National Forest

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Starting at the Storm King Ranger station this strenuous but short (2ish miles) hike starts off flat and continues straight up 2000 ft to get this view of Lake Crescent! This was taken a little ways down from the top, to reach the peak you have to climb up the side of a slippery mountain using a 6 sets of ropes. We made it up one and turned back as we did not feel safe but lots of others were continuing up.

Magic in the Forest 🌳🍄💦 #colorful #nature #hiking

The salmon were running while we were at Sequim, and in this extremely dry year, a lot of them weren't getting very far.

I ran across a group which had puddled in a shallow depression on one bank of the river, and it was absolutely clear that they were never going to get out.

You think of the titanic struggle these creatures have to endure over the hundreds of miles that bring them back to this place, and at the end, it is only the blindest of luck that allows them to finish their journey.

But they are compelled to do so from birth, and the choice is not theirs to make.

The temptation is great to adopt it as a metaphor for the whole stinking lot of us, but that just cheapens the thing.

This is their struggle, pure and simple. What defines them and governs their survival.

I took it in somberly, and with a little awe, knowing full well I was essentially watching them die.

Visit Olympic National Forest

Activities

Popular places to visit

Church Creek West Trailhead

You can take time to visit Church Creek West Trailhead during your travels to Montesano. Stroll along the waterfront or experience the area's festivals.

Church Creek East Trailhead

You can take time to visit Church Creek East Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Wander the lakeside and forests while you're in the area.

Church Creek Shelter Trailhead

You can take time to visit Church Creek Shelter Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Wander the lakeside and forests while you're in the area.

Spider Lake Trailhead

You can take time to visit Spider Lake Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Amble around the area's lakeside or experience its entertainment choices.

Skokomish Upper - Lower South Fork Trailhead

You can take time to visit Skokomish Upper - Lower South Fork Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Amble around the area's lakeside or experience its entertainment choices.

Working Forest Interpretive Trailhead

You can take time to visit Working Forest Interpretive Trailhead during your travels to Montesano. Amble around the area's waterfront or experience its festivals.

Top Olympic National Forest Hotel Deals

Lake Quinault Lodge

345 S Shore Rd Quinault WA

Rain Forest Resort Village

516 South Shore Road Quinault WA

Watefront at Potlatch

21660 US-101 Shelton WA

See all 1,509 properties in Olympic National Forest

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.