Olympic National Park:America’s Rain Forest
On the Olympic peninsula in Washington lies magnificent Olympic National Park. Its stunning features are unique to the rest of the world. The rugged Pacific coastline, temperate rainforest, and Olympic mountain range come together to form a landscape like no other. Plentiful precipitation contributes to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest region. To the west of the park is rainforest, with a thick woodland of gigantic Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, and Western Redcedar trees, among many other trees, shrubs, and plants. In the middle of the park stand the majestic Olympic Mountains, with glaciers feeding into crystalline lakes and rivers below. The lush greenery throughout the park thrives, in part, due to 73 miles of extending Pacific coastline.
To the east are some nature-rich meadows with distinctive alpine zones. Despite the mountain snow, there is abundant wildlife in the park. The subalpine areas are home to black bears, blue grouse, and snowshoe hares. Wildflowers and fir trees are also abundant here. The rocky and glaciated mountains grow a different variety of plants that survive in the alpine region. Birds and small mammals such as chipmunks can be found in this terrain.
The rest of the park’s overall climate is variable, depending on the season and elevation. It might go from sunny and warm to cold and rainy in the course of a few hours. In fact, Olympic National Park receives more rain than anywhere else in the continental United States, so visitors should come prepared for diverse weather conditions. There are many interconnected hiking trails throughout the park. There is a fabulous view of Strait of Juan de Fuca from Hurricane Ridge – one of the most popular park destinations. People can access Hurricane Ridge by car as well. The Hoh River Valley and rainforest is another popular destination with an abundance of nature trails, a visitor center, and a picnic area.
There are also many hikes leading to waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and natural hot springs. Some famous tourist attractions include the Olympic and Sol Duc Hot Springs. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are fun adventures on the lowland rivers and lakes. Lake Crescent and Ozette Lake are nice places to canoe or take a boating trip. A fishing license is not required within park boundaries, so every visitor can take advantage of this enjoyable sport. Salmon, trout, and steelhead are commonly found in these Northwest lakes and rivers. The Spruce Railroad Trail near Lake Crescent is the main path for mountain bikers. Area businesses offer llama trips, which are unique to this park. There are also designated areas for horseback riding and mountain climbing. Mount Olympus is a main attraction for climbers, rising nearly 8,000 feet. The Rialto Beach on the ocean is another famous place hikers go to catch a gorgeous sunset.
The park is also fun to visit in the wintertime. This mountainous region provides winter recreation at places such as Hurricane Ridge and Snowboard Area. People also like to cross-country ski and snowshoe here because there are so many paths and trails to take. The lowland region of the park is temperate enough to explore in the winter months if you don’t mind the rain. Every kind of outdoor enthusiast will delight in the breathtaking scenery and fun activities at Olympic National Park throughout the year.
To learn more about activities and lodging in Olympic National Park visit www.NationalParkReservations.com/olympic.htm You can also find great travel deals and earn free vacations by visiting Resorts 360 Vacations at www.Resorts-360.com
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