Even though the last warm rays of summer are a thing of the
past and leaves are starting to change into beautiful oranges and reds, things
are just heating up on the Olympic Peninsula. Fall on the Peninsula is the
reason we have lush green mosses and ferns littering the floor of the forest.
From the steady dripping of water through the canopy, to the snow packed
mountain peaks and rivers running near freezing, fall on the Olympic Peninsula
is truly a rainforest. Fall on the Olympics is a wet, wild and cold time, but
this doesn’t mean that you should stay away. In fact, despite getting upwards of
100 inches of rain a year and grey skies nearly every day, this area has plenty
to do for all levels of explores, hikers and climbers. Below are some
opportunities, events and destinations for the fall. Through the 50 shades of grey
in the fall and winter sky, tourism on the Olympic Peninsula is an attractive
location.
Clam Digging
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| Razor Clam Season is here! |
With clam season just around the corner, there is no better
way to experience ce the Washington coast then grabbing a shovel, a pair of
boots and a jacket and clamming along the Pacific Ocean. The best beaches are located
north of Ocean Shores, making it an easy half to full day trip from Olympia. A
permit is required, but can be picked up HERE. The season this year starts
October 13th through the 18th and may be extended. A detailed
schedule can be found HERE, as well as tide information.
Clamming is a great way to spend a morning or an evening.
Sure, it is cold and you might get a little wet, but the experience is one you
will remember and enjoy, as you share your freshly caught clams in delicious
chowder, regaling your friends and family with the day’s events. Contact EXOTICHIKES today to set up a trip to go clamming.
Storm Watching
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| Stormy Day from Neah Bay |
With up to 6 inches of rain in a 24 hour period and winds sometimes
gusting up to 70+ miles an hour, the fall and winter on the Olympic Peninsula
can get quite stormy. Your first reaction may be to sit inside drinking tea and
reading a book, far away from this area. We ask you to step out of that comfort
and come to the coast. The Washington coast during a storm is one of the most magnificent,
beautiful, violent and relaxing things one can do. While these words may not
seem to all fit together, the Olympic Peninsula and the Washington coast
combines wind, rain and waves with beauty and sophistication at many fine
establishments. From Kalaloch Lodge and
Iron Springs, to any number of hotels in Ocean Shores, taking in a winter storm
with your significant other can turn a romantic getaway into a weekend to
remember. If you are single, it provides a great backdrop to get away from it
all, kick back with a glass of wine or a beer, and listen to the waves, the
rain and the rain all around.
See storm waves crash at the remote Neah Bay or the
picturesque Ruby Beach. Collect shells, agates and more during low tide. Contact Exotic Hikes for more information on weather conditions, lodging and
transportation needs.
Salmon Season
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| Salmon in the Rain Forest |
With Salmon already making their way upstream, now is the
time to walk into the rainforest and see salmon making their way up swollen
streams and rivers. Returning to their traditional spawning grounds, Salmon on
the Olympic Peninsula provide not only a delicious food source, they also allow
one to step back into the past and witness events that have been going on for
ages. Exotic Hikes is proud to offer tours into the peninsula to see salmon
swimming through the rainforest. Nothing is quite as remarkable as seeing scarlet
red salmon swimming up a small stream next to giant cedar trees and ferns.
From
October to December, salmon infiltrate the waters into the rainforest, giving you
an experience like no other. This is a great trip for families, couples and
singles, so gives a call and we will work with your schedule!
Birding
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| Eagles on the Peninsula |
With the salmon come the bald eagles. Believe it or not,
locals on the Olympic Peninsula can see a Bald Eagle with little to no effort
nearly every single day. This number increases, as the salmon return to spawn
and die on the rivers all over the peninsula. Eagles, 10’s at a time, sit along
the river banks, catching and eating fresh salmon, as well as posing for
numerous photographs. The Olympic peninsula is full of Bald Eagles, but no time
is better than during salmon season.
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| Snowy Owl in Ocean Shores |
Eagles are not the only thing to frequent the Olympic
Peninsula. Migratory birds, from around the world, travel through the region,
giving birders amazing views of everything from geese and ducks to Snowy Owls.
Birding on the Peninsula is great, with numerous wildlife refuges and frequent
migration areas; this is your place for the birding experience of the year.
Contact us for more information!
Hiking
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| Typical Trail on the Peninsula |
Despite the weather, numerous hikes enter the rainforest,
allowing for a somewhat dry hike in the rain. Also, contrary to popular belief,
the Olympic Peninsula, with all of its rain, has many great weather days. With
thousands of trail options, a hike for your mood and the weather can easily be
found. From climbing mountains of anywhere from four to eight thousand feet, to
walks in the dense rainforest, your desires can be met. Waterfalls, full of
rainwater, cascade down remote rock faces all over the Olympic Peninsula,
giving you a myriad of options for great day hikes all over the region.
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| Pony Bridge, Olympic National Park |
No matter what you want this winter and fall, Exotic Hikes
and the Olympic Peninsula have you covered. Contact us today for detailed
rates. Remember, we are not only your most passionate guides on the Olympic Peninsula,
but also able to work with your schedule, making us the most flexible.
Exotic Hikes
(360)350-8938
exotichikes@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exotic-Hikes/117153065007058
Twitter: @ExoticHikes
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