Hiking the National Parks

Filed in archive Hiking on April 30, 2007

The editors over at MountainZone.com has posted a hiker's guide to the National Parks. All of the featured parks are the popular ones (Yellowstone, Olympic, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon) which equals to crowds and noise. But, they explain why hikers should not overlook them.

That's one of the best aspects of hiking: it's an escape from civilization. So it's easy to understand why many dedicated hikers are reluctant to hit up America's better-known National Parks -- too many people, too many cars, too many uniformed government officials telling you what you're allowed to do and where.

But this sort of disdain for the mainstream has a price. These parks are popular for a reason -- they're some of the most beautiful spots in the world. They're well-traveled, but they're also devoted to recreation over development. And, if you're willing to explore them fully, they can provide a true wilderness escape.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK (Washington)

Dominating the peninsula at the northwestern tip of the United States, Olympic is home to a massive old-growth temperate rain forest. The Hoh River Trail winds through stands of 500 year-old Sitka spruce, allowing you to get in touch with your inner Ewok.

Because this trail is on the western side of the Olympic Mountain range, it requires some driving time to reach it, which tends to keep the crowds smaller. Seattle residents are unlikely to make a day trip to Olympic, opting instead for a hike in the Cascade range or Mt. Rainier.

But you already knew the northwest has huge trees and lots of rain. Olympic also boasts 73 miles of seldom-crowded coastline, where the Pacific Ocean can quickly drown out any thoughts of Back There.

Shi Shi Beach, three hours northwest of the Hoh trailhead, offers eerie rock formations and tidal pools -- plus a no-hassle backcountry permit process that allows you to camp on the sand and build a big honkin' driftwood fire. Just be prepared for wind and wet.

The most conspicuous feature of Olympic is, of course, Mt. Olympus, the highest peak in the youngest mountain range on the continent. At 7,695 feet, it looms large over the park, and if you want to summit, you'd better have ice climbing gear.

Hurricane Ridge, in the northeast area of the park, is a great place to start. It's one of Olympic's most popular destinations -- which means you'll get an initial taste of tourist traffic, then spend the rest of your trip marveling how quiet everything gets once you hike a few hours in.

Read the rest of the article here.

Thanks to Mountain Zone for the info!