Twilight at Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park (ONP) is not only one of the nation's largest parks, but one of the most beautiful. It preserves the wilderness from commercialization, yet provides trails for outdoor enthusiasts to see the natural beauty from the oceans to the mountains. It is a year round attraction and this lens will give you a glimpse of what you might see. This will be added to on a regular basis. If you want to see more photographs of the Olympic Peninsula go to - Olympic Peninsula pictures

For your convenience, I have broken this lens into major areas of the Olympic National Park. Of course there is much more and I will be adding.

Hurricane Ridge - Hurricane Ridge is an excellent spot to view the Olympic Mountain Range. It has many hiking trails that offer views of wildlife and native wildflowers. In the winter there is snow shoeing and skiing and in the spring photographers flock to the hills and meadows to photograph the wild flowers blooming on the slopes. I might add the deer up here are very friendly and like to walk the trails with you.


Elwah Valley - The Elwah Valley is the entrance point to many of the finest hiking trails in the ONP. One of my favorites is the Whiskey Bend trail that leads to Elk Horn meadow near Humes Ranch. It is a great place to camp near the river and meadow. And yes I have seen the elk around July to September.


Lake Crescent - It does not get much better than this. Lake Crescent is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. I have many more Lake Crescent photos here. It does not matter what season Lake Crescent is always beautiful. Unfortunately the main lodges on the lake close down for the fall and winter.


Sol Duc - - There is a resort up at Sol Duc Hot Springs and that is a major reason people go up, but there are many hiking trails and beautiful waterfalls are up there also. My favorite time of year in when the leaves turn color. Absolutely stunning.


LaPush - Forks- When I was a kid we always went camping and beach combing at LaPush. There are several beaches in the LaPush - Forks area. Rialto Beach is loaded with driftwood and is on the north side of the Quillayute River and there are trails leading to Lake Ozette and the Ozette Indian dig. On the south side of the river is the town of LaPush, a small fishing village. Prior to coming into the town of LaPush there are 3 beach trails. If you are looking for huge rocks on the coast, Beach Trail 3 is the best, but they are all photogenic in their own way. Trail 1 is the easiest walk.


Hoh River & Rain Forest - It does rain up and down the Hoh River. About 12 to 14 feet a year. A little different than Sequim where we get 9 to 16 inches a year. The rain makes for interesting forests with moss longer than Pocahontas' hair. I love the cabins and lodge up at the Hoh Rain Forest. The fireplace is a piece of art.


Kalalock & lower beaches - The lower beaches are sandy and their are less rocks dotting the coast. Much better clamming. Beach trail number 1 is unique in that the trees have a deformity that makes you feel that you are on another planet.


Lake Quinault - Lake Quinault has it's own rain forest and lodge. Sadly I have not been there yet.

Dosewallips - This is an area on the east side of the park, and it covers the area along the west side of the Hood Canal (which is not really a canal). There is Dosewallips State Park and campground that borders the Olympic National Park (ONP) but the road to the ONP campground in the Dosewallips area has been washed out and to date they have not repaired it, So if you want to hike up to the campground there are some great sites up there. The east side of the ONP receives far less traffic than the west.


If you have questions you can email me from my web site - www.RandallTomaras.com