Olympic National Park & Crab Fest

Over Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend, we traveled to Port Angeles, Washington and Olympic National Park. For years, we had talked about visiting this area of the country. Now that we live in Northern Idaho, it is more convenient to do so. The reason we chose to go that weekend is because it coincided with the Dungeness Crab Festival in Port Angeles, and we love crab! 

When we arrived on Friday afternoon, we spent the day meandering around the booths at the festival and indulging in various crab dishes at the food tents. We also walked on the trails and boardwalks near the water, our eyes constantly scanning the water for whales and dolphins. Port Angeles is located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a body of water that connects to the Pacific Ocean. Walking along the Wharf, we saw several large starfish clinging to the rocks.

The next day, we had a full day of driving around Olympic National Park, with our first stop at Rialto Beach. We parked the Silverado and literally stepped out onto the shore, where we were instantly greeted by massive driftwood logs, weathered smooth by years of tides and storms. They are scattered along the dark, pebbled shoreline, where Larry captured some great video footage of the raw power and beauty of the Pacific Ocean in its purest form. From there, we reversed course and drove to Hoh Rain Forest to walk on two nature trails Larry had picked out. Hoh Rain Forest is one of ‘those places’ that just truly has to be seen in person to grasp the beauty of it fully.

Spruce Nature Trail ~ From the moment we set foot on the trail, we were surrounded by towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees, some reaching heights over 200 feet. These giants thrive in the region’s heavy rainfall—up to 140 inches annually—which nourishes the dense undergrowth of ferns, mosses, and nurse logs. These “nurse logs” are a hallmark of the Pacific Northwest rainforest ecosystem, showcasing nature’s cycle of growth, decay, and renewal, supporting new trees that sprout directly from their decaying trunks. I believe we counted 8 tree growths from one decaying log. The trail also reveals glimpses of the Hoh River, a glacier-fed river originating from Mount Olympus.

Hall of Mosses ~  Every step along the Hall of Mosses loop feels like walking through a living cathedral, where ancient trees rise like pillars and lush green moss drapes from their branches. The trail is a thriving web of ferns, lichens, and mosses that cover nearly every surface. After walking on the trails, we explored all the campground loops. As mentioned previously, the Hoh Rain Forest offers more than a walk through the woods; it’s a walk through time.

On Sunday, we headed back to Olympic National Park to see Lake Crescent Lodge, nestled on the tranquil shores of Lake Crescent. Built in 1915, long before Olympic National Park was established. Built in the early 20th century as a hunting and fishing resort, its architecture reflects the classic national park lodge style, with wood-paneled walls, a massive stone fireplace, and large picture windows that frame views of the lake. Accommodations include rooms in the original lodge, modern lakefront cottages, and the charming Roosevelt Cottages, named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who visited the area in 1937 before designating Olympic as a national park.

Afterward, we went to Sol Duc Falls, tucked deep within the lush forests of Olympic National Park. This iconic waterfall is located about 40 minutes west of Lake Crescent. Cascading through a narrow, moss-covered gorge, Sol Duc Falls splits into multiple channels before plunging into the misty canyon below — a breathtaking display of power. The trail winds through ancient stands of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and Sitka spruce, while ferns and moss blanket the forest floor. You know you are close to the wooden footbridge spanning the gorge when the roar of the falls permeates the dense vegetation. From the bridge and a few other various vantage points, you can look down into the roaring chasm where the Sol Duc River crashes roughly 50 feet into the canyon below. I would be remiss if I (Larry) did not mention the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, which after a long day of hiking, a quick soak in one of the naturally heated mineral pools would be a great end to the day.

FINAL THOUGHTS: We had high hopes of kayaking and biking during this trip, but the weather was cold and rainy. Additionally, we had hoped to get up to Hurricane Ridge to scout for a possible winter return to use our backcountry nordic skis, but the weather thwarted that attempt, as the closed road at 5:00 pm on the Friday we arrived in town. That being the case, it was a very different type of trip than what we are accustomed to. Instead of doing active things, we mostly walked and drove around looking at things, mixed in with some short hikes. Despite the lack of outdoor activity, we had a great time seeing a different part of the country and indulging in the abundance of fish/seafood at the local restaurants! Have you visited the Olympic Peninsula? If so, tell us what we missed and why we need to go back.

NOTE: Our posts are not geared toward discussing/reviewing restaurants or lodging establishments, but sometimes places are just too exceptional to not mention. This is the case with Olympic Lodge, where we stayed for the duration of our trip. It is very difficult to “wow” me (Stella), but that place did! As a bonus, the staff kept the massive lobby fireplace stoked, where we, and other guests, relaxed on the comfortable furniture in the evenings. Olympic Lodge made our trip extra special.