Olympic National Park: the Forests, the Mountains and the Coast (Levels 2 to 3)

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After Part 1 in Mt. Rainier NP (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/203542522/), Part 2 of our trip (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/197112052/) will continue to another Washington State National Park -- Olympic National Park (http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm). "Three Parks in One -- Olympic National Park is a land of beauty and variety. A day's exploration can take you from breathtaking mountain vistas with meadows of wildflowers to colorful ocean tidepools. Nestled in the valleys are some of the largest remnants of ancient forests left in the country. Olympic is like many magical parks in one. Take some time to explore its different faces!" -- Part 3 is Victoria/Vancouver (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/203637612/)

General Rating/Difficulty: Levels 2 to 3 (Moderate to Strenuous) for distance, elevation, speed and weather condition. Click on RATING TABLE (http://files.meetup.com/1554500/RATING%20TABLE.pdf) for more about difficulty hiking levels

Meeting time: 8:15 - 8:30 AM

Duration: 6-8 hours per day

Distance: 5-15 miles

Elevation: 1K+ft gain

More info Olympic National Park and hiking trails: Olympic NP Day Hikes (http://www.nps.gov/olym/upload/dayhikes-printer-friendly.pdf) // Olympic Wilderness Trail Guide (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/trail-guide.htm) // Map of Olympic National Park (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/upload/OLYMmap2012-1600x1100.jpg) // Places to go in Olympic National Park (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/places-to-go.htm)

Day 4: Sept 9 -- we will spend our day Exploring the Forests (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/exploring-the-forests.htm) area!

Day 5: Sept 10 -- Exploring the Mountains (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/exploring-the-mountains.htm) area

Day 6: Sept 11 -- Exploring the Coast (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/exploring-the-coast.htm) area

***10 hiking Essentials: link (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234)

To buy Hiking Gears: check out with Sport Chalet, REI for quality gears: shoes, clothes and camping gears or short term use gears at Target or Wal-Mart with decent price. You can see them online before going to the stores to check out.

DIRECTIONS (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/directions.htm): Traffic and Tips (http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/trafficandtraveltips.htm)

From the greater Seattle area and I-5 corridor, you can reach the park by several different routes:
Cross Puget Sound on one of the Washington State Ferries (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/). Access U.S. 101 from Port Townsend (State Route 20), Kingston (State Route 104), or Bainbridge Island (State Routes 305 & 104). Be aware that State Route 104 crosses the Hood Canal Bridge which closes periodically for boat traffic.

From Tacoma (I-5), take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104; be aware that State Route 104 crosses the Hood Canal Bridge which closes periodically for boat traffic. Access U.S. 101 at Olympia (via I-5)

You may also access the park by following U.S. 101 north from Aberdeen, via the Washington/Oregon coast or U.S. 12 west from I-5

REMINDERS:

By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings

> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.

> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY

Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, mountain lions, coyotes, snake bites or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***