Train Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-trail-conditions.htm
“Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains”
You’re looking for new destinations and straightforward accurate trail descriptions. This is the only book ever written that is focused exclusively on Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains. You won’t find seventeen of these loops in any other trail guide. One of the loops may never have been hiked. Start planning now.
I’m experienced and informed. I’ve spent the majority of my life up against the Olympic Wilderness, in all seasons and conditions. I’ve backpacked and climbed in the Olympic Mountains extensively. While volunteering at Olympic National Park Visitor Center. I’ve helped thousands find their way and improve their Olympic Experience; now I’m here to help you.
“Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains” is precise and informative. The “Skyline-North Fork Quinault” loop for example exemplifies the useful quality of this book and justifies its value to all adventurers in the Olympic Mountains. Timothy D. Paschal
Wildflowers in Bloom
Wildflowers and plants are everywhere in the Olympic Mountains from the Lowlands to the Alpine regions and everything in-between. That said, the Lowlands, bring flowers to bloom first. This occurs because of Lowlands are the first to acquire rising temperatures.
The Montane, slightly higher in its elevation, is next in line for the bloom. The Montane is the next to warm up, however, its mature forest and its shade restricts the number and variety of wildflowers.
Above the Montane is the Sub Alpine with fewer trees, less shade and many meadows, is the exact recipe for blooms for a startling number of species and acres of flowering plants. Like all three of these elevations defined areas the blooming occurs early for some plants and later for others, the effect is a spring to fall event.
The last area is the Alpine at the highest elevation. Wildflowers are present but in far fewer numbers. No matter that the Alpine region is often an immense panorama of rock, snow and ice; it does allow for some of the sturdiest plants of all.
Who they are and where they are is a function of nourishment in the soils, a consistent temperature cycle, availability of water and the length of daylight. These elements dictate who blooms first, who blooms more than once and who succeeds in reseeding for the coming year. Many of the plants reseeding is a function that partially relies on animals and their scat, their fur, and their cultivation while digging in the soils. Their behavior, is an unknown gift to other places in the mountains.
If you are interested in the voluminous plants and flowers in the Olympic Mountains, visit this link:
https://olympicnationalparkvisitor.info/plants-animals-birds/wildflowers/
What else is in Bloom?
You are! Hiking season is upon us as I write, and, like the flowers, the availability starts late in spring and usually closes down in mid fall when hikers and flowers take a break and dream on about next season’s opportunities.
Every hiker, be they seasoned or beginner, has a need and a requirement regarding trail conditions and the amount of snow and ice in any area that you plan to visit. Much like the flowers, hikers ought to wait out the snow and the melt water by doing hikes in lower elevations until the Sub-Alpine is reasonably snow-free. Like the flower’s blooming, sometimes the snow recedes earlier than other years. Make good use of the Rangers in the Wilderness Information Center; they have many ways of acquiring information and they are willing to help.
I’ve been writing articles for over a year, even before “Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains,” my book, came out in September of ’23. In that endeavor I’ve attempted to provide you with information about the book, about the hikes, about the flora and fauna, about the gear and information about keeping you safe and well while you enjoy the Olympic Mountains. Having said all that, I’m taking a break. June 1 will be the last article in this season. All the articles are available to you in the Archive thanks to Kathy who takes my rough text along with pictures for LoopHikes.Com, and polishes my effort so that it’s useful to you.
If for some reason you need to contact me, you can reach me at any time at Loophikes@olympus.net. We’ll see what comes when fall appears and at that point I’ll be either writing the next and newest article about the Olympic Mountains or saying goodbye. Either way, I look forward, as should you, to immersing yourself in what comes next.
Be Well.
Tim
Where to buy "Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains"?
Sequim and Port Angeles:
Pacific Mist
Dungeness River Nature Center
Port Book and News
Kitsap County:
Ballast Books, Bremerton
Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island
Liberty Bay Book Store, Poulsbo
The Internet:
VillageBooks.com
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Online
I’ve been writing about some of the elements of the book since March of 2023 and I will continue to do so. If you or your friends haven’t checked Loophikes.com lately, finally the book has been published and is on the shelves. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for. There is no better time to order your book. I’m certain that you’ll be pleased. The book is one-of-a-kind, informative and explores loop hikes that haven’t been published as a book. The “Grand Loop of the Olympic Mountains” is a loop that may not ever have been hiked. Whether you’re new at hiking or you’re an expert hiker, the book will be useful and helpful—and it will expand your collective experience.
Loophikes.com provides you with information about the book and information that is not in the book but is relevant to your understanding.
Loophikes@olympus.net provides you the ability to ask me questions and get answers to the best of my ability. All the answers will be available at loophikes.com without identifying the person who submitted the question.
All of the past articles beginning with March are accessible. Click here to visit the Archive page. Additionally, if you’re interested in what’s coming next, here they are:
Additional Articles May Start Again in the Fall
Visit LoopHikes.com frequently. Photos, information and stories change periodically, but sharing information with you comes first. Questions? Contact me at LoopHikes@olympus.net. Your curiosity is the foundation of building a better understanding. Tell your friends.