Mt. Rainier, St. Helen's, and the Olympic Peninsula

[Jonny1280]

Had some vacation time this week so I decided I wanted to take the family and see some of the highlights of our beautiful state of Washington.

First stop was Mt. Rainier. We hiked around Longmyre Meadow. About 50 ft. in we saw 3 deer bedded down just off the trail. There were a lot of natural springs feeding the meadow. Kinda neat seeing a meadow like this in the middle of such a dense forest.

The next day we drove to St. Helen's to check out the Ape Cave. Named after the scout troop that discovered it. It's a lava tube that was formed many a moon ago. We hiked the lower level of the cave and it was a nice easy hike. Took about an hour total with my 7 yr old girl and 2 yr old boy in tow. It got really cold, but it was worth it.

I've been here in WA. now for about 18 yrs and have never driven the Olympic Peninsula. I decided to take 3 days to drive it so that we would have plenty of time to stop here and there and not feel rushed.
Starting out South of Olympia we drove hwy 101 up the West side of Puget Sound. Tons of parks and recreational sights along the way.

We stayed the first night in Sequim. The lavendar capitol of the world. Haha. Very nice city. In the morning we went to the Olympic Game Farm. It's basically a drive through zoo where you can roll down the windows and feed wheat bread to all the animals. The grizzly's and buffalo were my favorite. The kids absolutely loved it.

 

[The Warrior]

Damn, what a beautiful area. I envy you guys that live in areas like that. All flat, with corn and beans here. Nothing to look at, unless you like corn and beans, haha. Anywhos, thanks for posting it up man. Makes me want to move even more.

 

[Jonny1280]

From there we traveled on and had lunch in Port Angeles. While I enjoyed an excellent bowl of steamer clams, I looked across the Strait of Juan De Fuca and gazed upon Canada for the first time.

Driving on we hopped off hwy 101 and hit 112 to see some coastline. Gorgeous drive.

Back on 101 we decided to go through the Quillayute reservation and visited Rialto Beach and La Push.

Dipped my toe in the Hoh Rainforest.

It would have been a long drive home so we stayed at an excellent hotel near Moclips and had some fine dining at the Ocean Crest restaraunt. After letting the kids swim for a few hours in the morning it was time to drive back home. Through Aberdeen and Monteseno back to hwy 12.
I'm so glad we took this trip. The scenery was surreal and the drive was a joy. If anyone here ever has the chance to drive the Olympic Peninsula, I would highly reccomend it. I can't wait to do it again!

And this post wouldn't be complete without the obligitory Becker pic. Here's the 'ol trusty BK11 atop of our beach treasure.

 

[The Warrior]

From there we traveled on and had lunch in Port Angeles. While I enjoyed an excellent bowl of steamer clams, I looked across the Strait of Juan De Fuca and gazed upon Canada for the first time. Driving on we hopped off hwy 101 and hit 112 to see some coastline. Gorgeous drive. Back on 101 we decided to go through the Quillayute reservation and visited Rialto Beach and La Push.
It would have been a long drive home so we stayed at an excellent hotel near Moclips and had some fine dining at the Ocean Crest restaraunt. After letting the kids swim for a few hours in the morning it was time to drive back home. Through Aberdeen and Monteseno back to hwy 12.
I'm so glad we took this trip. The scenery was surreal and the drive was a joy. If anyone here ever has the chance to drive the Olympic Peninsula, I would highly reccomend it. I can't wait to do it again!

You already said that, haha.

 

[JD Miller]

Ive seen that waving bear on youtube

 

[Jonny1280]

You already said that, haha.

Had to break up the post to put more pictures in. Haha

 

[DunkEm]

Thanks for the pics. I got to go out to the greater Seattle area last fall for the first time ever. Squeezed in a few days touring as well. Rainier was AMAZING!!!! to this flat lander. And the temperate rain forest of Olympus???? That's crazy stuff.

But, what the heck is going on with this guy?

 

[FAL'ER]

Legit. Somma your pic's are Tango Uniform.

 

[Xr6x]

Thanks for sharing it's a beautiful State. Thought I saw Mick Dodge hidden in one of your Hoh pics ?

 

[The Warrior]

Had to break up the post to put more pictures in. Haha

Sorry I posted before you were through posting up your photos. I thought you were done.

 

[Tanker 1/66]

Way to go Jonny. It's always nice when you can get the next generation out and enjoying nature.

 

[Pàdruig]

What an awesome trip and spectacular pictures too! Thanks for sharing, Jonny1280 . The PNW just can't be beat for its overall awesomeness.

I've been to Ape Cave a few times, it's a great place to chill out. However, it can get crowded real fast during the tourist season, then it isn't quite as fun. A lot of hurry up and wait action...

 

[Jonny1280]

Thanks for sharing it's a beautiful State. Thought I saw Mick Dodge hidden in one of your Hoh pics ?

He was out there watching....like a creepy jerkin-clad woods hobo.

 

[91bravo]

Excellent post Jonny! Cool animals...check. Beautiful scenery...check. Good lookin' family...check! The evergreen forest out there is amazing, but this one is my favorite of all! Upon first glance, it looked like someone shaved that bison's rear and some tattoo artist got a hold of it..ha ha!

 

[Xr6x]

He was out there watching....like a creepy jerkin-clad woods hobo.

Haha, no doubt if he still lives in the Hoh he was watching you looks like you all had a great time for sure

 

[Aikiguy]

Good stuff Jonny. Looks like you even had some decent weather too. Thanks for sharing.

 

[trailbum]

What a fun trip.
Looks like great country.

 

[BRL]

Had a family trip in that part of the world this time last year. The game farm/zoo was awesome; we all loved it so much. And the coastline outside of Sequim blew my mind. Strait of Juan de Fuca from the top of the cliff was a mindbending view.