Easy Day Hikes on the Olympic Peninsula OR Hikes to do While Injured

One of my many injuries. This was
from a tree branch nearly
killing me during a storm

                Often, injuries plague us longer than they should and make us choose between hiking in discomfort and not hiking at all. For many of us, the latter is will only happen if we lost both legs and had no prosthetics readily available. Any number of days I am battling chronically sprained ankles, a never fully recovered fractured shoulder and bursitis in my hip. Don’t get me wrong, this is not about me complaining I am in pain. In fact, being an ex-cross country runner, pain while working out seems normal to me. Injuries impact us all, and while we may not want to stay home, especially with good weather coming up, we may need to find some places that are a big easier on us so our bodies can heal quickly.

                The Olympic Peninsula is diverse in many ways. From many unique species of flora and fauna spread around rain forest, to having beaches, rugged peaks and miles of switchback trails, the area has something for everyone. Today, we focus on the hikes that may not be as physically challenging, but are still rewarding in many other ways. Next time you are hurt and can’t climb up 3000ft of scree, or you are just looking for an easy hike to do with your kids or grandparents, check out one of these areas.

Some of what Neah Bay has to offer

     1)      Shi Shi Beach- Don’t be too shy about taking a long walk on a beach. In fact, millions of people can’t be wrong putting this on their dating profiles as something they enjoy! You don’t have to be Kajagoogoo  to get to this beach. Located close to Neah Bay, this may be out of the way, but it is a scenic drive and a fantastic place to take pictures. Flat, scenic and close to the farthest northwest point in the continental United States, this trail is perfect for all. Bring a camera, rain gear, and a sense of adventure for this 8.0 round trip hike.

-          Quick Facts:

o  Location and directions- Neah Bay

o   Distance- 8 miles

o   Terrain- flat

o   Needs- Rain gear, extra socks, towel, bird books, binoculars

 

The view from Hurricane Hill

      2)      Hurricane Hill- Love the views of mountains, but not a fan of the scree, switchbacks or isolation? Check out Hurricane Hill at Hurricane Ridge. 17 Miles south of Port Angeles, this is a great day trip during any season. Stand atop a nearly 6000ft “hill” and take in view of Victoria, BC, Mt. Baker, Sequim and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to your north. To your south you can look into the interior of the Olympic Mountains. This is a great hike to see Marmots, Deer, vistas, valleys and wildflowers. At only 3 miles round trip, the elevation may be the only thing that wears you out. This is a great summer hike, but can (and should) be done with snowshoes in the winter months.

-          Quick Facts:

o   Location and directions- Hurricane Ridge

o   Distance- 3 miles

o   Terrain- mostly flat, but one main climb

o   Needs- Rain gear/sun screen, snacks, good shoes, binoculars

Murhut Falls

     3)  Murhut Falls- Read more here at our recent trip report!!! http://exotichikes.blogspot.com/2012/01/murhut-falls-trail-and-trip-report.html

     -          Quick Facts:

     o   Location and directions- Duckabush Rd

     o   Distance- 1.5 miles

     o   Terrain- Slightly hilly, a little flat until the end where the trail to get to the water fall is quite steep

     o   Needs: Good shoes, snacks, a camera, rain gear

Dungeness Spit from above

     4)      Dungeness Spit- This is probably the longest, easy hike around, as it takes nearly 11 miles to complete the trip. However, walking along a sandy beach for 11 miles on the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a great trip for a family for a day or weekend. With views of the Olympic Mountains, Vancouver Island, Mt. Baker, a light house and more, this hike pleases everyone. This strip of sand is a marvel of the world and a fun place to beach-comb after a storm or to just enjoy a sunny day in the rain shadow of the state. It is also a great place to bird watch, picnic and build structures out of driftwood.

-          Quick Facts:

o   Location and directions- Sequim

o   Distance- 11 miles

o   Terrain- flat and sandy

o   Needs- water, comfy shoes, binoculars, snacks, camera

(Similar to this is Damon Point in Ocean Shores)

Devils Punchbowl at Lake Crescent

      5)      Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls- Read more here at our recent trip report!!! http://exotichikes.blogspot.com/2012/03/lake-crescent-and-marymere-falls-one-of.html

-              -          Quick Facts:

              o Location and directions- Near Port Angeles

                            o   Distance- Depends on trail

                            o   Terrain- flat 

              o   Needs- Rain gear, binoculars, camera

While this list is obviously not complete, these places help you experience some of the best of the Olympic Peninsula without injuring yourself more. The nice thing about these places is that they can be done in any season and typically don’t require a lot of strenuous activity to have a good time. They are a great way to start to get into hiking, heal from an injury, or just take an easy day to enjoy the beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. To experience one of these with us, please call us at (360)350-8938

Until I see you on the trails,

Douglas Scott

Exotic Hikes

Alternative Hikes:

1)      Pony Bridge

2)      Hall of Mosses

3)      Ruby Beach

4)      The Olympic Discovery Trail

An Amateur Bird Watches Guide to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

From the Pond/River Area

Nisqually Sunset

Located just 10 miles from Olympia, or 50 miles south of Seattle, the refuge boasts over 3000 acres of wetlands, making this a fantastic birding hangout. Recently expanded to include a boardwalk, you can easily walk over 4 miles of restored wetlands. With numerous bird species migrating to the area, as well as many local and regional birds calling it home, this is the best place to come watch birds year round. The refuge is basically broken up into three sections, which are the pond/river walk, the raised dike and the new boardwalk. Each section is unique, giving you a different set of nature in each area.

Geese Flock

Raccoons in the Pond 

Great Blue Heron

 The first section you will enter is just past the visitor’s center and is the Pond/River walk area. This section is best taken along the old board walk, giving you views of the ponds where ducks, turtles and the occasional Nutria can be spotted. During the spring, Great Horned Owls can be spotted near the barns, on the section of the wooden walkway between the river and the barns. During salmon runs, eagles and seals can be spotted in large number along the river. This place is great to take young kids, as it is a short, easy walk. At the end of the trail, you reach the barn area where there are Port-a-potties and picnic tables. A word of caution: If you decide to picnic here, the squirrels in the area are somewhat aggressive.

Peregrine Falcon

The second area of Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is the raised gravel dike just past the barns. In good weather this area offers amazing views of the Olympic Mountains. It also shows off the mud flats on the right side and a pond, which is usually full of ducks and geese, on the left. This is also a great place to see Herons, Bitterns and many other species of waterfowl. In bad weather this place can be a bit cold, and with no trees to cover you, you might get a bit wet. However, in good weather, this area is amazing. With dead tree trucks littering the mud flats, this is an ideal place to watch hawks and eagles groom, eat and pose for pictures. 

Bald Eagles

 The last section is new, but so far is the most popular area. This boardwalk, complete with covered shelters, lookouts with spotting scopes and information displays gives you the opportunity to walk over a flood plain. Make sure you check the tides, as low tide and high tide both have limited bird activity. Also, make sure you read all signs, as the boardwalk is occasionally closed due to hunting. In good weather, the boardwalk offers amazing views of Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound, and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. All along the boardwalk one can see Great Blue Herons, Eagles and numbers of different type of ducks. At the end of the boardwalk there is a lookout, allowing a panorama view of the area, as well as a place that is covered to watch eagles, herons and the occasional King Fisher. This section is a fantastic destination in good weather and even on a misty day, though if it is a super wet day, I may avoid it.

Marsh Hawk

Reflecting Heron

 Overall, the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic place to go birding for all levels of birders. If you are a beginner or an expert, this area gives you plenty to see in the air, off in the distance or along the waterways. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is a great day trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city, giving you a few laces to see how nature was before humans interacted too much. If migratory birds can visit this place once a year, you should be able to make it at least twice; after all, this place has gone to the birds.  For more information, check out the quick facts below!

See you on the trails,

Douglas Scott

Bittern

Immature Bald Eagle

 Quick Facts:

Location: South Puget Sound, exit 114, North of Olympia

Trails: Well-groomed gravel /boardwalk

Distance of Trails: Over 4 Miles

Cost: $3 permit per family (pay outside of visitor center)

What you might want to bring: Binoculars, bird book, good shoes, rain gear, sun screen and water

Sights: Eagles, Geese, Owls, Hawks, Ducks, Herons, numerous waterfowl and other birds, Seals, Salmon, Deer, Raccoons, Foxes, Mt Rainier, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Mt. Constance, The Olympic Mountains, and Wetlands…just to name a few!

Best time to visit: Fall and Winter because of salmon runs and migratory birds.

Mt Rainier from the boardwalk

Where to best see:

Eagles: Pond/ River Walk, Raised Dike, Boardwalk

Ducks: Pond/ River Walk, Raised Dike

Blue Herons: Raised Dike, Boardwalk

Hawks: Raised Dike, Boardwalk

Geese: Pond/ River Walk, Raised Dike

                Owls: Pond/River Walk

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-4ncJ9NU1

Great Horned Owls