(360)350-8938 (texts welcome)11 Olympic National Park Destinations Better than Black Friday Shopping
Image From: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/11/25/black-friday-shopping
We all know people love Black Friday. Chain stores are packed to capacity with customers looking for good deals at low, low prices. While I do understand that a thriving economy needs shopping, we here at Exotic Hikes feel that society needs to shift away from mass consumerism. Sure, we sell books and calendars and tours, but those are designed to help change the sedentary mindset and to start healthy traditions for you and your family. You could save a few dollars on merchandise that you may or may not need, or you could start a new family tradition of experiencing nature and spending time together making healthy lifestyle choices.
The choice is up to you. Stand in lines and save a few dollars with a couple thousand people or hike in the forests with just your friends and family. If you choose the latter, we have some great ideas in the Olympic National Park that you need to experience:
HOOD CANAL HIKES
Lena Lake
Why: Yes this trail is usually packed in the summer, but once the crisp air returns, this trail is nearly empty. True, it isn’t really in the National Park, but that doesn’t stop it from being absolutely gorgeous!
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/9NKep
Distance: 5 miles Round Trip
The Trail to Lena Lake
Staircase Loop
Why: This easy, family friendly hike should be done often, and located just over an hour from Olympia, it is extremely convenient to explore. With giant trees, the Skokomish River and Lake Cushman
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/EYqLc
Distance: 1.9 Miles Round Trip
Along the Staircase Rapids Loop Trail
Murhut Falls
Why: At 170ft, Murhut Falls is extremely pretty and a shirt hike. The drive into this 1.5 mile hike is fantastic, offering great river views and dense forests. Again, this isn’t technically in the National Park, but with beauty like this, who needs a label.
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/TZcZH
Distance: 1.5 Miles Round Trip
Murhut Falls, Olympic Peninsula
More Hood Canal Area Hikes and Drives:
RAINFOREST HIKES
Hoh Rainforest Trails
Why: If you have to ask why, you haven’t been here. With moss-covered trees, gorgeous streams, salmon, elk and eagles, this region near Forks is a great place to spend the day
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/ODxKl
Distance: Variable
The Hoh River Trail, Olympic National Park
Quinault Area Hikes
Why: If you love waterfalls, eagles, salmon, old growth forests and the solitude of nature, taking a trek out to Graves Creek along the Quinault River needs to be done.
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/tlnnQ
Distance: Variable
The Quinault River under Pony Bridge
NORTHERN HIKES
Marymere Falls
Why: Here is why we like it- http://bit.ly/WYXSHy
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/zgI92
Distance: 1.5 Miles Round Trip
The trail to Marymere Falls
Hurricane Ridge
Why: Here is why we like it- http://bit.ly/1dza8cu
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/S6DYQ
Distance: Variable
Winter at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park
Sol Duc Falls
Why: The trail to Sol Duc Falls may be just the location you need to start an active lifestyle. The three-stream water fall cascades into a picturesque canyon surrounded by old-growth and ferns. The drive is also pretty with numerous spots to pull off and enjoy the view!
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/cq0KA
Distance: 1.6 Miles Round Trip
Take the easy, gorgeous hike to Sol Duc Falls
WANT A SCENIC DRIVE?
Quinault Loop
Why: The Quinault Loop Road is an awesome trip. See giant trees, gorgeous river views, eagles, salmon and water falls!
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/DCKm2
The Quinault River
Mount Walker
Why: With view of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and the City of Seattle, Mount Walker is a great place to have a picnic lunch or just sit and enjoy the views.
Where: http://goo.gl/maps/TrB6t
Mount Rainier from the top of Mount Walker
The Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway
Why: This drive from Port Angeles to Cape Flattery on the Makah Reservation may just be the most under-rated drive in the country. With fun beaches to stop at to amazing views of Tatoosh Island, you cannot go wrong here.
Where: http://www.highway112.org/
The view from Cape Flattery, Makah Reservaton, Neah Bay
WANT MORE GREAT HIKES?
We have you covered with guidebooks that are sure to get you motivated to get out and explore the Olympic National Park.
52 Hikes Around The Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park: http://exotichikes.bigcartel.com/product/hike-every-week-olympic-peninsula-trail-guide
Want More Hikes? Click Image for more details
Family-Friendly Hikes: Olympic Peninsula: http://exotichikes.bigcartel.com/product/15-olympic-peninsula-family-friendly-trails
Click Image for more details
- Posted by
ExoticHikes - Posted in Hikes, List
Nov, 26, 2013
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“Black Friday” is not for me! Mother Nature in all of Her glory is the place to be. Thank you for these beautiful picture. Hope your Thanksgiving is full of giving “<3"