Olympic
Peninsula
June 2-10, 2007
Mountains
and ocean, forests and meadows, glaciers and flowers – all of
these await in Olympic National Park and the Olympic Peninsula in
Washington. Join us to explore the only temperate rainforest in the
contiguous 48 states, as well as one of the wildest, most scenic coastlines
in the world during the long days of June.
The
park protects the Olympic Mountains, including 8,000-foot Mt. Olympus,
the wettest spot in the United States. The park provides habitat to
56 species of mammals (including Elk and the endemic Olympic Marmot),
more than 130 species of birds (including Spotted Owl and the rare
Marbled Murrelet) and numerous salamanders and other amphibians. Hikes
in the mountains, deep forests, and alpine meadows, provide ample
opportunity for birding and wildlife viewing. Observe and learn about
the incredible array of plant life in the lush forest: mosses, ferns,
both alpine and forest wildflowers, massive spruce and hemlock, and
more.
This
journey includes time on the rugged Pacific coast, which forms the
park’s western boundary. Walk remote and quiet beaches, examine
tide pools, and explore a number of bays and harbors. One afternoon
we take a charter boat trip to Protection
Island, the nesting site for more than 70 percent of the seabirds
of Puget Sound. Waterfowl and shorebirds also abound at the Dungeness
National Wildlife Refuge, which protects wetlands on a scenic, seven-mile
sandspit into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Indeed, we plan to add a
number of shorebirds and seabirds to our list for this journey, including
Tufted Puffin, Rhinocerous Auklet, and Pacific Loon.
On
the Makah Reservation near the park, we visit the cultural center
to learn more about the native Makah people and examine artifacts
from a rich archaeological dig. This group’s
excellent basketry and wood carvings are sure to entice. We stay at
two lovely park lodges during the trip: one along magnificent Lake
Crescent, the other on the Pacific Coast. This journey offers a combination
of scenery, hikes, wildlife, and culture that’s hard to beat!
ITINERARY
(B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
Sat.,
June 2 Arrival in Port Angeles, WA / Lake Crescent Lodge
Arrive today in Seattle, Washington by NOON (see Travel Planning section
below for details on ground transportation from airport) so that you
can take the OLYMPIC BUS LINE departing from SEATAC airport at 1:00
PM to Port Angeles, Washington. We will meet you at the Port Angeles
bus station with our vans at 4:20 p.m. You may also connect with this
same shuttle if you arrive on AMTRAK.
If
you are delayed or must arrive later in the day to make your flight
plans work, you can catch the 5:45 p.m. bus that arrives in Port Angeles
at 9:15 p.m. Alternatively, if you wish
to see more of the region, you can fly in and out of VICTORIA,
B.C. Canada, and take the ferry across to Port Angeles. We will hold
our welcome dinner and introductions at 7:00 PM in the lovely 
dining
room at Lake Crescent Lodge.
Accommodations at Lake Crescent
Lodge, Olympic National Park (D)
Sun.,
June 3 Sol Duc Hot Springs / Forest Trails
This morning enjoy an optional early walk at the nearby Marymere Falls
Trail, an easy walk winding through some lovely forest for about a
mile. The waterfall, about 90 feet high, is lovely and very photogenic
-- though photos may be a challenge in the low forest light. You may
wish to relax instead and have breakfast at your leisure.
Later
in the morning, we take a short drive to one of the most scenic areas
of the park in the Sol Duc River Valley; here we can choose leisurely
or more challenging walks. Sol Duc Falls is readily accessible and
scenic; those wanting to stretch their legs some more can climb up
a 
ridge
to an ancient Western Hemlock grove. Both walks provide an excellent
introduction to the ecology of the Pacific Northwest’s temperate
rainforest. Chestnut-backed Chickadees alert us to bird activity;
with them we may find Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, or other forest
species.
After
hiking we return to Sol Duc Resort’s delightful hot springs,
where three outdoor tubs the size of swimming pools await you. Soak
your cares (and any muscle pains) away! Then, enjoy dinner if you
choose at Sol Duc Resort’s excellent gourmet restaurant or return
to Lake Crescent Lodge and an evening free.
Accommodations at Crescent Lake Lodge (L)
Mon.,
June 4 Olympic Mtns. & Hurricane Ridge
Today we drive high into the Olympic Mountains for an overview of
mountains and in the distance, the 
sea!
Deep snow persists here into June, so our hiking will depend on snow
depth. We’ll certainly have a grand show of many early blooming
flowers. Glacial-carved peaks are abundant here, providing amazing
scenery and a living geologic classroom.
Learn
more about the adaptations of plants and animals to high elevation
and alpine climates as we search for one of the Olympic Peninsula’s
endemic species, the Olympic Marmot. In the open tundra we may find
courting American Pipit and Horned Larks. Among the stunted and wind-sculptured
groves of pygmy trees in the krumholtz zone, we may find Golden-crowned
Kinglets and White-crowned Sparrow, or perhaps a McGillivray’s
Warbler, singing to define its territory. Mountain Goats were introduced
to the Peninsula and provide a dilemma for park management, as they
are fond of foraging on unique and rare native plants. We may see
them with their young – quite a sight.
Enjoy
a picnic lunch and a walk out the Klahhane Ridge for fine views of
permanent glaciers. In the afternoon we return to the lodge for some
time to relax; dinner is at your leisure.
Accommodations at Crescent Lake Lodge (L)
Tues.
June 5 Lake Crescent Area / Dungeness Spit
After breakfast we explore the Dungeness Peninsula east of Lake Crescent
near Sequim. En route we’ll stop at Olympic National Park’s
main visitor center at Port Angeles to see the displays and for the
chance to purchase local field guides.
Sequim
and the Dungeness Peninsula enjoy a mild, drier climate than the rest
of the Peninsula; at one time this was a rich farming area. While
farm fields now grow luxury homes, we may spot a few historic barns
of this passing era. Sandhill Cranes like the remaining open fields;
several wetland areas provide refuge for ducks and 
geese.
The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for waterfowl and
shorebird species. A seven-mile sand spit extends into the Strait
of Juan de Fuca; at its tip is a picturesque lighthouse.
We
take time to walk on the spit or to search for birds on Dungeness
Wildlife Refuge trails. We can also look for birds while driving through
adjacent farmlands and fields. Some may want to try their hand at
sea-kayaking. This optional activity (additional cost – please
book with registration to ensure space) includes a couple 
hours
of paddling with a lunch break and view of the lighthouse. It is a
trip suitable for beginners, and offers a unique perspective of the
area, especially if you spot a Western Grebe, a Common Loon, or a
flock of White-winged Scoter from your boat!
Dinner tonight
is at the popular Three Crabs Restaurant, where you can enjoy very
fresh Dungeness Crab or a host of other delightful dishes.
Accommodations at Crescent Lake Lodge (L,D)
Wed.,
June 6 Elwha River Trails / Protection Island
This morning we drive east to a beautiful section of the park, the
Elwha River Valley. We hike up a lovely trail along the river as our
time allows, listening and scanning for forest birds such as Golden-crowned
Kinglet, Townsend’s and Hermit Warblers, and Steller’s
Jay.
After
a picnic lunch, we drive on to either John Wayne Marina or Port Townsend
to board an afternoon charter boat to Protection Island. This 400-acre
island, about 1.8 miles long and just over a half a mile wide, provides
nesting habitat for over 70 percent of the seabirds of Puget Sound!
June is prime time to visit; from the boat we hope to see Brandt’s
and Pelagic Cormorants, Rhinocerous Auklet, Tufted Puffin, Glacous-winged
Gull, Bald Eagle, and with lucknumerous of Harbor Seals, which like
to haul out on rocky areas of the shore.
After
the boat trip you may return to our lodgings for dinner or try out
one of the local restaurants near the marina.
Accommodations
at Crescent Lake Lodge (L)
Thurs.,
June 7 Makah Reservation / Cape Flattery / Neah Bay Seabirds / Kalaloch
After packing up for a move, we drive to the northwest corner of Olympic
National Park and the adjoining Makah Reservation, enjoying views
of rocky coastal headlands and picturesque beaches along the way.
Bald Eagles are a common species here, and we’ll stop to observe
them as opportunities arise. We also stop en route at Clallam Bay,
Sekiu Harbor, and the mouth of the Seiku River. For part of our drive,
the road follows the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca; in this
area we’ll stop to take a walk on a wilderness beach.
Stopping
again at Neah Bay, we visit the Makah Cultural and Resource Center,
a museum displaying amazing artifacts from an early native community
that specialized in whaling and fishing. Makah basketry and totem
and animal carvings resemble those of related tribes in British Columbia.
The museum obtained much of itscollection from an 
archaeological
dig conducted in the 1970’s near Ozette, now within Olympic
National Park. Extensive mudslides once buried a coastal village;
eventually archaeologists recovered more than 50,000 artifacts. Museum
staff will lead a tour and offer insights into today’s Makah
people. This is an excellent place to purchase native crafts if you
wish.
We
have lunch overlooking the Neah Bay Jetty, where we may find Surfbird
or Rock Sandpiper. If possible we’ll time our visit with an
incoming tide to heighten our chances of seeing Pacific Loon, Harlequin
Duck, or Surf Scoter. We then walk out to a marvelous observation
point at Cape Flattery, where with our spotting scopes we look for
Tufted Puffin, Steller’s Sea Lion, and passing pelagic seabirds.
After lunch
we trace our way back to the road junction at Sappho,
then head west and south to our cliff-side lodgings at Kalaloch on
the Pacific Ocean. At this beloved
ocean resort we stay in individual log cabins. The 
lodge’s
dining room boasts an excellent reputation -- with a view of the ocean
from your tables it’s hard to beat!
Accommodations on the Pacific Ocean at Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic
National Park (L,D)
Fri.,
June 8 Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest, explored via trails in the Hoh River Valley,
is perhaps the most magnificent tract of temperate rainforest we investigate
in detail. From Banana Slugs to Pileated Woodpeckers, we observe the
intricate web of ecological relationships here. This is one of the
world’s wettest places, and myriad plant species thrive here.
We’ll examine mosses, ferns, liverworts, fungi, and wildflowers
galore.
Above
us stand mighty trees, giants of another era and nest sites for rare
Marbled Murrelet and Northern Spotted Owl. Winter Wren – the
little Pavarrotis of the bird world, are common in the understory,
singing from moss-covered logs. Massive Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock
dominate this rainforest, with giant Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir,
Red Alder, and Vine Maple growing alongside them in smaller numbers.
Bigleaf Maple is perhaps the most memorable tree species here, with
oddly sculptured trunks and branches. These trees also exhibit a strange
adaptation: they send rootlets into their burden of 
lush
mosses and ephiphytes.
We spend
much of the day walking among the forest giants, some of which are
over 500 years old. In these lush forests we look for Varied Thrush,
Townsend’s Solitaire, Townsend’s Warbler, and Olive-sided
Flycatcher. On large Black Cottonwoods along rushing streams we may
find Orange-crowned Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Western Tanager,
or above us, Vaux’s Swift. With luck we may encounter the forest-dwelling
Roosevelt Elk; with a little searching we may find some unusual salamanders.
.
Return in
the afternoon for time to relax, or take a nearby trail down to the
ocean beach below our lodge. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Accommodations on the Pacific Ocean at Kalaloch Lodge (L)
Sat.,
June 9 Pacific Ocean Beaches / Return to Port Angeles
We spend much of the day enjoying short hikes to several spectacular
beaches on the Pacific Ocean. We descend through windswept coastal
forests, emerging on quiet beaches decorated with driftwood, kelp
beds, rocks, shells, and in places, tide pools full of colorful sea
urchins and other tidal invertebrates. These tide pools are favorite
feeding areas for Black Oystercatcher, and both Black and Ruddy Turnstones.
With luck we may spot Sea Otter feeding in the kelp, or shorebirds
such as Willet, Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, or even Snowy Plover
feeding at the rack line of recent waves. Picturesque sea stacks near
the shore stand bold against the Pacific’s eroding waves. These
sculptured rock pinnacles provide nesting areas for Brandt and Pelagic
Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemot, and other seabirds, as well as excellent
hunting perches for Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon.
In
the middle of the afternoon, we tear ourselves away from the magic
of the ocean -- perhaps enjoying pie or a milkshake at a local restaurant
en route – to return to Port Angeles to prepare for departures
the following day. Enjoy the scenic drive past Lake Crescent and through
the lush mountain forests. After settling in to our lodgings, enjoy
a farewell dinner at a favorite waterfront restaurant.
Accommodations at the Best Western Olympic Inn, Port Angeles (L,D)
Sun.,
June 10 Departures
Today you can choose from two shuttles to meet your flights at SeaTac
Airport in Seattle: one departs at 6:45 a.m. and arrives at SeaTac
at 10:35 a.m.; the other departs at 1:15 p.m. (allowing for a leisurely
morning) and arrives at SeaTac at 5:00 p.m. for evening flights or
a transfer to a local hotel. Please note that the same provides transportation
to the AMTRAK station if you are interested in train travel.
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Tour
Cost and Travel Arrangements
COST
OF THE JOURNEY: The cost is $2195.00 from Seattle
or Port Angeles, based on double occupancy. This cost includes
group airport transfers, transportation during the journey,
all accommodations, meals as specified in the itinerary,
professional guide services, park and other entrance fees,
and miscellaneous program expenses. This cost does not include:
roundtrip airfare or AMTRAK to and from Seattle or Port
Angeles, Washington; or items of a personal nature such
as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar; or gratuities
for porterage or personal services. With fewer than 8 participants,
a small-group surcharge (typically $100-300 per participant)
will apply. Single supplement is $590.00
The
optional sea kayaking at Dungeness Spit costs approximately
$80.00 and should be requested in advance.
TRAVEL
PLANNING: Please plan to
arrive at SeaTac airport in Seattle, Washington no later
than NOON on June 2 to connect with a 1:00 p.m. shuttle
bus operated by the Olympic Bus Lines. A second bus departs
SeaTac airport at 5:45 p.m., for those who need to arrive
after NOON or those who are delayed in travel. We will book
your shuttle with receipt of your registration deposit;
seats are subject to availability.
Our guides and vans will
meet your shuttle bus in Port Angeles (as well as pick up
those arriving by ferry) to continue on to Lake Crescent
Lodge. You can arrive on your own via ferry from Victoria,
B.C., Canada if you fly there instead of to Sea-Tac. There
is also a ferry from Seattle to Victoria, if you want to
plan a circle trip. Please note that for those that like
to travel by train, the same bus service picks up from the
AMTRAK station in Seattle.
Shuttle buses back to SEA-TAC
airport depart Port Angeles June 10th at either 6:45 a.m.,
arriving the airport at 10:35 a.m., or at 1:00 p.m., arriving
SEA-TAC at 5:00 p.m.. Plan to arrive at the airport at least
1½ hours before your flight departs.. This shuttle
will also stop at the AMTRAK station.
You
may wish to stay on after the journey is over to take the
ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, B.C. in Canada or to
explore the nearby San Juan Islands. Day-long and multi-day
tours are available; try www.victoriaexpress.com (800-633-1589),
or the Coho Ferry (206-457-4491) for starters. Several other
operators can be found if you search the web or through
your travel agent.
Photo Credits:
Black Bear, Peg Abbott; Bald Eagle, Wheeler McDougal, Jr.;
Hooded Merganser, Hairy Woodpecker, Common Loon, Merlin,
Pileated Woodpecker and Barred Owl; Tony Beck - to see more
of his images, go to: www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/;
all other photos by Don Allen.
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