Our 2017 Northwest USA Adventure
Despite the continued smoke, we decided to head up to Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center. When we were there some five years ago we dressed warmly because there were high winds and snow at the top. This time it was sunny and in the mid 70’s which gave us the opportunity to take some hikes.
The ride up was very pleasant even though there weren’t long-distance views. It reminded us of a misty morning. After three tunnels, we reached the top at 5,200 ft., we both agreed that it reminded us of Switzerland. Of course, the mountains aren’t as high but the extensive flowered meadows and the layer up layer of mountain ridges gave it this flavor. Despite the smoke you could see across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On a clear day you can see Vancouver Island.
We then checked out the Visitors Center and then headed out for a few short hikes. Mt. Olympus is just about in the center of the park. Unlike other parks where the highest peak can be seen from just about everywhere, Mt. Olympus, even at 7,890 ft. remains hidden only to be seen from other high spots in the park. Hurricane Ridge is one of them. However, you can only see the peak of Mt. Olympus because it is blocked by other high mountains and softened by clouds and haze even on a clear day.
We noticed a sign at the beginning of our hike to be alert for aggressive mountain goats. They call them “habituated.” Apparently, they are following and harassing hikers. When we got back we saw an article in the New York Times about this problem. And it is a problem. Back in 2010 a goat attacked and killed a 63 year old man here in this park. They are putting together a plan to both relocate and kill problematic goats. Good thing we didn’t know this before we hiked. Fortunately, we didn’t see any goats!
We descended the ridge and went to Port Angeles Visitors Center. Here we viewed a 25 minute movie about the park. Maybe we were just tired but it was a poorly made snoozer.
From there we headed to Port Angeles to get gas and pick up a few things from a supermarket. What a sad area. Looked like a struggling town. Lots of homeless which is a serious problem not only there but in this state. Seattle has tent cities that handle this. Washington is 4th in the nation for homelessness and a growing problem.
Back to our camp to relax and plan for tomorrow, our last day here.
Patricia Rowlands
110 hoofdstukken
16 apr. 2020
Day 35 - We finally see Mt. Olympus
augustus 04, 2017
|
Mt. Olympic National Park
Despite the continued smoke, we decided to head up to Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center. When we were there some five years ago we dressed warmly because there were high winds and snow at the top. This time it was sunny and in the mid 70’s which gave us the opportunity to take some hikes.
The ride up was very pleasant even though there weren’t long-distance views. It reminded us of a misty morning. After three tunnels, we reached the top at 5,200 ft., we both agreed that it reminded us of Switzerland. Of course, the mountains aren’t as high but the extensive flowered meadows and the layer up layer of mountain ridges gave it this flavor. Despite the smoke you could see across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On a clear day you can see Vancouver Island.
We then checked out the Visitors Center and then headed out for a few short hikes. Mt. Olympus is just about in the center of the park. Unlike other parks where the highest peak can be seen from just about everywhere, Mt. Olympus, even at 7,890 ft. remains hidden only to be seen from other high spots in the park. Hurricane Ridge is one of them. However, you can only see the peak of Mt. Olympus because it is blocked by other high mountains and softened by clouds and haze even on a clear day.
We noticed a sign at the beginning of our hike to be alert for aggressive mountain goats. They call them “habituated.” Apparently, they are following and harassing hikers. When we got back we saw an article in the New York Times about this problem. And it is a problem. Back in 2010 a goat attacked and killed a 63 year old man here in this park. They are putting together a plan to both relocate and kill problematic goats. Good thing we didn’t know this before we hiked. Fortunately, we didn’t see any goats!
We descended the ridge and went to Port Angeles Visitors Center. Here we viewed a 25 minute movie about the park. Maybe we were just tired but it was a poorly made snoozer.
From there we headed to Port Angeles to get gas and pick up a few things from a supermarket. What a sad area. Looked like a struggling town. Lots of homeless which is a serious problem not only there but in this state. Seattle has tent cities that handle this. Washington is 4th in the nation for homelessness and a growing problem.
Back to our camp to relax and plan for tomorrow, our last day here.
1.
Two More Days
2.
The Travel Plan
3.
Day 1 - We're off!
4.
Day 2: Cheesehead Country
5.
Day 3 Lots of Corn!
6.
Day 4 - Row-lands in the Bad-lands
7.
Day 5 - H-O-T!!
8.
Day 5 - Badlands Pictures
9.
Day 6 - Incredible!
10.
Day 6 - Mt. Rushmore Pictures
11.
Day 7 - Custer's Last Stand
12.
Day 7 - Pictures from Little Bighorn
13.
Day 8 - Dam!
14.
Day 9 - Touring
15.
Day 9 Pictures
16.
Day 10 - Touring
17.
Day 10 - Pictures
18.
Day 11 - Touring
19.
Day 12 - Touring
20.
Day 12 - Pictures
21.
Day 13 - Touring
22.
Day 14 - Touring
23.
Day 15 - Touring
24.
Day 16 - Goodbye Yellowstone - Hello Grand Tetons!
25.
Day 16 - Grand Teton Pictures
26.
Day 17 - Chipmunk in a Canoe only $249
27.
Day 17 - Pictures of Jackson Hole, WY
28.
Day 17 - Pictures of Jackson Hole, WY
29.
Day 18 - Wayne
30.
Day 19 - Our Glacier Park Arrival
31.
Day 20 - Food & Forests!!
32.
Day 21 - Yodelayheehoo!
33.
Day 21 - Logans Pass & Many Glaciers Hotel Pictures
34.
Day 21 - Logans Pass & Many Glaciers Pictures
35.
Day 22 - Oh Canada!
36.
Day 22 - Waterton NP Canada Pictures
37.
Day 23 - All Aboard!
38.
Day 23 - Lake McDonald Boat Ride
39.
Day 24 - Whitefish Revisited
40.
Day 24 - Pictures of Whitefish, Montana
41.
Day 25 - The Gem State
42.
Day 25 - Pictures
43.
Day 26 - Hard-hearted People
44.
Day 26 - Pictures
45.
Day 27 - Change of Plans
46.
Day 28 - Crossing Washington
47.
Day 29 - Our Sixth National Park
48.
Day 29 - Pictures
49.
Day 29 - Pictures
50.
Day 30 - Our Airstream
51.
Day 30 - Sleepless In Seattle
52.
Day 30 -Pictures
53.
Day 31 - Jimi would love it!
54.
Day 31 - Pictures
55.
Day 31 - Pictures
56.
Day 32 - Park #7
57.
Day 33 - Hoh my, this is different!
58.
Day 33 - Pictures
59.
Day 33 - Pictures
60.
Day 33 - Pictures
61.
Day 33 - Pictures
62.
Day 34 - Stinky Sol Duc
63.
Day 35 - We finally see Mt. Olympus
64.
Day 35 - Pictures
65.
Day 36 - Checking Out the Falls
66.
Day 36 - Pictures
67.
Day 36 - Pictures
68.
Day 37 - 9 Hours Later
69.
Day 37 - Pictures
70.
Day 38 - We gotta get outta this place……
71.
Day 38 Pictures
72.
Day 39 - R & R
73.
Day 40 - Anything is a Blessing
74.
Day 40 - Pictures
75.
Day 41 - Beauty Spot
76.
Day 41 - Pictures
77.
Day 41 - Pictures
78.
Day 41 - Pictures
79.
Day 42 - A Three-Hour Tour
80.
Day 42 - Pictures
81.
Day 42 - Pictures
82.
Day 43 - Beer Here!!
83.
Day 43 - Pictures
84.
Day 44 - Lazy Sunday
85.
Day 45 - High Desert
86.
Day 46 - Central Oregon
87.
Day 47 - Just Around the Bend
88.
Day 48 - Back Into Idaho
89.
Day 48 - Pictures
90.
Day 49 & 50 - Heading East
91.
Day 49 & 50 - Pictures
92.
Day 51 - A Real Surprise!
93.
Day 51 - Pictures
94.
Day 51 - Pictures
95.
Day 51 - Pictures
96.
Day 52 - Rocky Mountain Fever
97.
Day 53 - Changes in Altitude
98.
Day 53 - Pictures
99.
Day 54 - Hittin' the Trail
100.
Day 54 - Pictures
101.
Day 55 - Smokin' Dave
102.
Day 55 - Pictures
103.
Day 56 - Travel, Traffic & Costco
104.
Day 57 - Highest yet!
105.
Day 57 - Pictures
106.
Day 58 - Bad Karma
107.
Day 58 - Pictures
108.
Day 59 - In Heaven
109.
Day 59 - Pictures
110.
Day 60-66 -The Journey is its Own Reward - Homer
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