Ordering your copy of “Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains”
If you haven’t ordered your copy of the Book yet,
I recommend:
- Port Book and News, Port Angeles, WA
- Pacific Mist, Sequim, WA
- Dungeness River Nature Center, Sequim, WA
- VillageBooks.com, Bellingham, WA
Or online
“Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains”
OR, buy your book at the events below.
Book Signing and Sales Events:
As it stands right now, book signing and book sales will start again in late February or early March 2024. Most, if not all, events will take place in Kitsap County.
Response to readers and recent Questions:
The response to “Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains” has been next to nothing in the later part of February and there were no questions these last two weeks. For that reason, I’ll skip past the usual reader comments or questions asked.
In place of the usual segments let’s focus on an easier time to ask questions at the Wilderness Information desk in the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles. Whatever your question, you most likely won’t be standing in a long line; that problem starts closer to May. The WIC Rangers are available to spend ample time to discuss your concern. If you are new to hiking in the Olympic Mountains, the Rangers are well informed and can give you advice for now or later in the year.
Given the time of the year, snow may have shortened your hike. However, because there are only a small number of hikers on the few trails that are accessible, you might have a better chance of seeing animals or tracks. No matter where you go, a quiet forest is always a treat. You may be starting to build your endurance and stamina; you’ll benefit from the experience of your outing.
Day-Hiking Trails That Begin at or Below 1,800 Ft.
Day-hiking will, if done correctly, build the strength and stamina that the hiking season demands. March is a good time to get back to hiking. That is particularly true in this year since the snowpack is less than usual.
In a year when the snowpack is normal, road accesses to trailheads would be gated and closed until the snowpack has melted somewhat. Trailheads that are accessible vary in elevation. Generally, trailheads on the north, east and southern sides on the Olympic Wilderness are at elevations between 1,400 to 1,800 ft. On the western side most, trailheads are always accessible because they are at 1,000 ft. or less.
In a normal year, trails are snow free, up to about 2,500 or 3,000 ft. depending on the exposure to the sun and thus melt-off. This year, 2024, you’ll at least double most of the trails available to you because of the reduced snowpack.
Pick your trail and start building your strength and stamina. Just because the trail might be shortened by the snow it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t climb steadily. The western trails however allow you to hike farther than the other trails because they are not steep. Either way pick your trail and begin a regimen that extends your time and distance, even if you hike the part of the trail that is not snowbound.
Start with a day pack, ease up to a light overnight pack and move on to carrying a full pack with the kind of load you’d carry on a two or three day hike. Don’t rush. The snow will come off at about the same rate as your build strength, endurance and your energy level.
In the process of building your body for the upcoming hiking season, don’t forget or ignore the stretching exercises noted on pages 200 to 204, in “Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains”.
Where to buy "Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains"?
Sequim and Port Angeles:
Pacific Mist
Dungeness River Nature Center
Port Book and News
The Internet:
VillageBooks.com
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
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 2023 are accessible. Click here to visit the Archive page. Additionally, if you’re interested in what’s coming next, here they are:
March 15: Where and when will you do your long hikes?
April 1: Don’t depend on your hike of first choice; prepare a back-up destination.
April 15: It’s time to get a reservation for a longer hike later in the summer.
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.