Originally published May 15, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 15, 2008 at 6:35 AM
PrintExplore natural wonders of Olympic National Park
A nature's paradise of world-class trails, glacier-capped peaks, mossy rainforests, wild ocean beaches, waterfalls, lakes and rivers and a variety of flora and fauna.
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KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
As a gentle rain falls, Roosevelt Elk graze deep in the forest of Olympic National Park.
KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
A young female Roosevelt Elk shakes the water off her as she grazes during a gentle rain in Olympic National Park.
Toting up the gas bill
To calculate the gas cost for these trips, we used EPA highway mileage figures for the 2008 Toyota Prius (45 mpg) and 2008 Lincoln Navigator 2WD (18 mpg). Results were based on a gasoline price of $3.75 per gallon.Get ski and boarding conditions all winter long with webcams, snow alerts and more at seattletimes.com/snowsports
What's the draw?
A nature's paradise of world-class trails, glacier-capped peaks, mossy rainforests, wild ocean beaches, waterfalls, lakes and rivers and a variety of flora and fauna. Roads provide access to the outer edges of the park, but the heart of Olympic is wilderness.
What's new this summer?
Starting in June, the park offers free ranger-led tours of Hurricane Ridge at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends. Each campground holds campfire talks at 6 p.m. daily on nature topics including whales, flowers and otters. Expect weekday delays on Hurricane Ridge Road throughout the summer due to construction to repair damage from rock slides.
If you go
Miles from Seattle: 182 miles to Kalaloch Lodge in Jefferson County
Round-trip gas cost for Prius hybrid*: $30.34
Round-trip gas cost for Navigator SUV*: $75.84
Lodging worth a look:
• Lake Quinault Lodge. Built in 1926, this historic lodge is rustic, but offers modern conveniences like television, and there's a grand fireplace in the lobby. $143-$227 for August Saturday; 360-288-2900 or www.visitlakequinault.com.
• Kalaloch Lodge. Perched on a bluff above Olympic National Park beaches, this lodge offers a serene escape, so you won't find in-room telephones or televisions. $158-$299 for August Saturday; 866-525-2562 or www.visitkalaloch.com.
• Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Choose from a variety of private cabins and warm mineral-water pools surrounded by quiet woods and the Sol Duc River. $141-$299 for August Saturday; 800-476-5382 or www.visitsolduc.com.
Dining you won't likely regret:
• Roosevelt Dining Room at Lake Quinault Lodge. Named for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who discussed the idea of a park over lunch during a 1937 visit to the peninsula. Nine months later, he signed a bill to create Olympic National Park. Cedar-planked salmon, $24.95. www.visitlakequinault.com.
• Kalaloch Lodge Restaurant. Known for its dramatic ocean views and crunchy French toast, the restaurant at Kalaloch Lodge offers breakfast, burgers and seafood. Dinner reservations recommended. www.visitkalaloch.com
More information: Olympic National Park, 360-565-3130 or www.nps.gov/olym.
-- Pam Sitt, Seattle Times staff reporter
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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