Trail 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
Where to buy “Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains”?
Search the last pages of this issue.
Don’t depend on your hike of first choice; prepare a back-up destination.
Recreation.gov
First: You’ll need a map of the Olympic National Park/National Forest. You can write to the Olympic National Park, Visitor Center in Port Angeles, WA, and request a map. On the other hand, if you live reasonably close to Port Angeles, take the time to visit with the Wilderness Information Center inside the Visitors Center. By doing so, you can get more information more quickly: call before you go.
The Park map, small as it is, contains all the trails, trailheads, primitive trails and National Forest trails that will deliver you to the National Park trails as well. The Olympic Wilderness Trip Planner will identify trailheads, mileage, campsites and the intersections of trails.
Next: Foremost, anyone intending to backpack into either Olympic National Park of Olympic National Forest must get a Wilderness permit. All the information you need is at: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4098362. Pay close attention to the reservation areas in the Park. Areas outlined in red ink, as well as camping sites identified by red triangles, restrict the numbers of campers allowed on any given day during the backpacking season. All the information needed is also at: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-map.htm. If you haven’t requested or haven’t received a map you can see the maps at: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm.
Finally: After talking with the Rangers at The Wilderness Information Center, then review the maps and select your hike of first choice. Next, identify a back-up hike in case your first choice isn’t available. Do this via: Recreation.gov https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm. If you succeed, your hike of choice is yours.
If, however, you didn’t succeed, return to recreation.gov using the link above and hopefully your back-up hike will be available. If not, pick a new hike and try again.
In my Book “Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains” there are numerous loop hikes. A number of them have unlimited camping space; but remember, you’ll still need to apply for and secure the hike via Recreation.gov. Another piece of good luck for fording rivers, if you choose to do so –the snow pack this winter has been as skimpy as I’ve ever seen. Snow melt-off looks like it will be over by June. The flow-rate on rivers dependent on snow-melt will be low this summer. Read my book and you’ll get a feeling for length, difficulty, trail conditions, elevation gain/loss, water availability and places you might not have ever visited.
Two things you need to know: 1) apply for your hike as early as possible, again refer to the link above and 2) do not apply for a hike that you don’t intend to hike; it creates difficulty for you and keeps other hikers from getting a permit because you reserved a space and discarded a hike you had secured.
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:
April 15: It’s time to get a reservation for a longer hike later in the summer.
May 1: Exercise Your Gear.
April 15: What’s in the Book?
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.