Olympic NP: Kalaloch and Hoh

[drm]

For a three day weekend I spent one night at the Kalaloch Campground on the Olympic coast and then hiked into the Hoh Valley to the Olympus Guard Station area for the next night.

Only the first couple miles of trail had been maintained. There were a fair number of logs down, most easy to go over or around. Lots of mud pits to avoid, but they were drying up fast. This area does not require reservations, but wilderness permits are not free in Olympic NP: $8 per person per night for those 16 and older.

Trees react to west winds at Kalaloch Campground


Nearby a tree is strageny undercut


Sunset at Kalaloch


Up the Hoh


Hoh River


Crossing a marshy area


Bob in front of some big Hoh trees


Very few views in the valley, this was about the only one, of the High Divide area we were told


Me in front of a very large log. Takes a special chain saw to cut this.


Typical nursery log


Park-like camp


Lots of bear and elk in the area but this deer is the largest wildlife I saw

[Limey]

Great pictures. That undercut tree is incredible, amazing that it is still alive. I need to do more exploring in Washington, just never seem to get there.

[retired jerry]

I was walking on the beach a few months ago and someone was looking for that tree. It had a name. I told them where to look as I had just walked by. Amazing how few roots are keeping it in place.

[drm]

We were in the A loop and walked north by that tree and then up to one of the other loops. So it is within the limits of Kalaloch campground.

Forgot to mention that there were a fair number of mosquitoes at dusk at our Hoh Valley camp. Not swarms, but a fair number. They didn't come out till dusk though. And they weren't there in the chilly morning. Getting towards that time of year, unfortunately.

[retired jerry]

we saw a lot of what I would call midges

I noticed a couple mosquito bites, but mostly they were just swarming around

I wear long pants and shirt

[drm]

I wear long pants and shirt

My bites were on my ankles. When camp is like this, I'm barefoot: