4 Days Of Solo Hiking And Exploring In Olympic National Park, Washington

Follow along while I visit Olympic National Park and Peninsula in Washington State. From the Eastern Mountains of Mount Townsend, to Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent and numerous waterfalls to Cape Flattery, the Southern Coastline and the iconic Hoh Rainforest.
This is a national Park adventure you have to see.
Correction on my Pronunciation of Sequim- It is actually pronounced Skwim like Swim
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Forthcoming Blog Post will have all the details from this trip but here is my itinerary for those that asked:
I started in Tacoma and headed West
Day 1: Drive Seattle to Olympic National Park through Tacoma
Hiked Mt Townsend
Overnighted in Sequim
Day 2:
Sequim to Hurricane Ridge around 1 hour
Klahhane Ridge, Hurricane Hill HIke and viewpoints
Drive Obstruction Point Rd. - Option to hike to Grand Lake
Return to Port Angeles
Visit MaryMere Falls
Swim in Lake Crescent
Or boat on the lake
Stay at Lake Crescent Lodge or in Port Angeles
Day 3:
Lake Crescent views & Morning swim
Solduc Waterfalls hike
Drive along Coastline of the Juan De Fuca
Leaving the park head to Cape Flattery for a short hike and great views
Option to hike along the coastline as well
Lunch at Calvin's Crab House
Head south to Rialto Beach for sunset near the town of Forks
Overnight in Forks or Quileute Cabins on the beach
Day 4:
Hoh Rainforest
Ruby Beach
Kalaloch Beach
Lake Quinault to Drive the dirt rim road.
Return to Seattle/Tacoma
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Whether you’re looking for travel vlogs, travel tips and inspiration or want to know how to travel like a professional, then Alice’s Adventures is the travel vlog you’ve been searching for. With my in-depth destination guides and travel vlog series you get the trip specific information you need to know before you go. If you are looking for the best outdoor destinations to do around the world, best of guides for National Parks and World Heritage Sites then I'm the travel vlogger you’ve been looking for.
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#PNW

[@AliceFordAdventures]

How many days do you typically set aside for exploring one National Park? I like at least 2 but this park certainly needed a few more.

[@jaymontgomery3330]

For Olympic National Park it requires several backpacks to truly appreciate this gem. Can't see much by auto other then Hurricane Ridge, Deer Park , Lake Quinault, or Klaloch.

[@2011woodlands]

Kind of depends on how many attractions there are, something like Gettysburg or Yellowstone, probably want to give yourself 5 days.

[@stevesalter1138]

I agree with woodlands. It depends on the park. I’m currently on a journey to visit all 63 national parks among other destinations. Some of the national parks can be done in a day. Some could take more than a week. Especially if you enjoy multiple activities like backpacking, kayaking, fishing, cycling, scuba diving, etc.

[@kv3417]

2 is a good number, there is always so much too see with not enough time left. If someone can figure out how to slow the planet down that would be fantastic!

[@dandawson8128]

Agree with, depends on your schedule, number of attractions, and your budget. In many cases, 2 would give you a flavor for what to see next time, but 4 or so could completely check it off your list. Never enough time to see them all twice. Do it right the first time, IMO. Check out the book Die With Zero, make sure to travel NOW, and then all future memories are free. Don’t have any regrets.

[@samuelsonpatsy]

I live in Port Angeles and I’m DYINNG at your pronunciation of everything 😂😂😂 No tea, no shade, it just cracks me up lmao SKWIM, Sol DUCK, Juan de FEWKA, MaryMEER Looool glad you enjoyed your visit!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I feel like signs in America should really have a very long enunciation on weird words. I even asked some locals 🤦‍♀️

[@atipsygypsylife]

I live here too, in PT. I'm cracking up too...like you, no shade, it's just funny!

[@Ja50nkAt]

As someone who has lived in Olympia all my life, 31 years, and have been to just about every nook and cranny of the peninsula climbing mountains and exploring the coast it is spectacular. The only catch is it's fairly rainy and wet for 8 months out of the year, other than that the greenery and raw nature of the place is a great area to hike! I've been to most all the national parks in the West including the deserts and canyons of Utah, California and mountains of Wyoming and Colorado but when everything is covered in moss and the air is dewey sweet, it get's me every time.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I certainly need to visit again in the cooler months and see the difference in the landscapes come fall and winter.

[@anthonyc8499]

​@@AliceFordAdventures if you visit the PNW between mid-July to early September you're pretty guaranteed to have dry weather. Steady rains start in mid-October and don't stop til 4th of July.

[@MWILSON7]

Unfortunately you still pronounced Sequim incorrectly. The correct pronunciation is SKWIM. Awesome video highlighting one of the countries truly hidden gems.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Ha well third times the charm then. I asked the owner of my motel and that’s what he said, but he had an accent…, truly a hidden gem though yes

[@SnohomishExplorer]

Lovely! Thanks for sharing the inspiration for some hikes!

[@terrybessler5570]

Great job covering the PNW. Have been there a lot, since my in-laws retired in Sequim (pronounced skwim, like swim with k in it). Cougars are actually common on trails coming down off of Hurricane Ridge.

[@BillyW80]

Beautiful place great job on the video it’s on my bucket list now.

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Amazing scenery

[@jameshunt1221]

glad you found paradise; swimming in beautiful lake crescent. hurricane ridge views are stunning also. Glory to God. take care.

[@georgespencer3973]

Wow, did you have amazing weather. Not even any smoke. But, like you said, “hot." It’s nice to have fair weather on trips like this but it’s, hopefully, shot lived. We need these places to stay lush and hydrated! I love that spruce and its sign. You, or I anyway, get used to seeing tall trees walking in old growth parts of forests and start to take their height for granted. That is until I see a human standing next to or walking by one that I’m always in awe of how incredibly tall those suckers are. So majestic. The shot at 14:38 is a great example. Thank you for the video, Alice!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you George

[@davidwayne6318]

Alice you are amazing, fantastic video ♥️

[@carolesea]

I enjoyed your video! Thanks!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you too!

[@julianat007]

Stunning nature! I love the maps and route animations that you provide!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much!

[@myselfasevan]

Hi Alice, thanks so much for this! I’m definitely going to do a solo trip here.

[@konrad0311]

Well done, I grew up in Port Angeles and now living in Ohio this makes me miss home so much. ONP is one of the best NP in the country for sure!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

It sure is I hope to spend more time there myself

[@konrad0311]

@@AliceFordAdventures I’m coming home for a friends wedding in July and will soak it up as much as possible with some hikes while home. Also going to hit Mt baker for a day hike 😊

[@mswolf3595]

So awesome!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks!

[@user-bb2mz3oc7c]

My son and I spent a week hiking ONP two years ago and still talk about it all the time. Such a magical place, especially the rainforests. You captured it all perfectly!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much that must have been magical

[@eddiesedventures...3106]

Good stuff as always!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you

[@rampk9014]

Thank You Alice :) I really enjoyed your narration & I would love to visit Olympics National Park for sure :)

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much, I sure hope you get to see it one day

[@ervinslens]

This is absolutely marvelous work, such a powerful and inspiring composition my friend! Stunning content!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much

[@jakemalloy5472]

Wow awesome video!

[@Ronniezim]

Great video! Glad to see that you and the channel are doing well:)

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks so much!

[@2manysigns]

Nice !

[@wildzenventures]

Nicely done! We’ve spent some time in that park over the years, it’s truly breathtaking. Love your camera work.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that

[@db.mc2]

Thank you Alice 🙂Have a wonderful day, stay safe and take care my friend 🙏Appreciate you!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you, have a great day too

[@eyeofthestorm.]

ONP is stunning! Can’t wait to go back🩵

[@AliceFordAdventures]

It certainly is!

[@williamcarlile4590]

Change is inevitable and actually is very much the norm!

[@viktor_rosen]

Hello Alice, thank you for the amazing atmosphere you create in every video! You are perfection 💝💝💝

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much

[@marty17f]

Great video Alice. Better than watching tv.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks Marty!

[@tracythompson1692]

love it

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much for watching

[@twoweary]

Another nice video. I live on the other side of the sound north of Everett. That town is pronounced Squim,rhymes with swim. 👍

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you for the correct pronunciation, I asked my hotel owner but he also said it wrong.

[@ryanscott2626]

I second this statement

[@madebypico]

What a stunning place. If I ever move to the US, this place could be it 🤠 but then there is the rain 😟

[@AliceFordAdventures]

A lot of rain but it’s what makes it so lush

[@Chenxi_love_music_fairy]

Spend time in a high mountain wilderness is very nice. Every time when you swim in an icy cold lake, you look so cool and amazing as if the mermaid beauty becomes true.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Well part mermaid is certainly something I’ve always believed ;)

[@Chenxi_love_music_fairy]

@@AliceFordAdventures there are three dreams that I like them to become true, which are orchestra music surround me, energetic mechanical watches and mermaid beauty fairy. The first two has become true and the last one must be you.

[@yobwoc1000]

You're quickly getting closer to 50k subs. Seems people are catching the Alice Ford wave.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Let’s keep it up!!!

[@russellcollins7148]

Mt Townsend is such a cool choice for a start! In October when you can get some late season sunny days, you get the clearest air and can see Washington’s 5 volcanoes and basically from Canada to Oregon! Plus the entire Puget Sound basin is laid out beneath you. The Little Quilicene trail is my usual and it never stops being steep until the summit above the tree line. The Olympic Peninsula itself is also amazing outside the National Park. You wouldn’t believe it by visiting but the Dungeness Spit and lighthouse at the end of it are just a COMMUNITY PARK!?! Incredible. You can also reserve rooms at the keeper’s house but there’s a waiting list. There’s also an incredible beach hike along the coast from Oil City to Lake Ozette that you can do in sections. Great video. One thing I’d also recommend is checking with the local ranger station before a hike in case there are any issues they’re keeping track of (plus they can call out sights not to miss).

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Wow thanks for all these great additional suggestions

[@jeraldheinrich3589]

I travel to Washington often. I love the Olympics. Been to many places like, Hurricane Ridge many times, stayed at Lake Quinault Lodge, hiked to Sol Du Lac falls. Stayed in the campground near the hot springs. Checked out some of the beaches. Rode up to Neah Bay, all on motorcycle. There is a nice county campground north of Joyce, Wa. Around Labor Day I usually ride the Cascade Hwy.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Wow, you really had a chance to explore that’s amazing. I hope to be able to return and explore this area in more detail and stay at some of those places to.

[@normancarbajal5154]

Good morning Alice! 👋…

[@radisson8627]

Ahhh... That was a great video Alice. So many memories. I am a subscriber of various outdoorsy channels but yours is my favorite, something I can relate to, and especially this season where you've been exploring familiar areas. I used to reside, until last year, right across the Juan de Fuca Straight, in Sooke BC. Every morning I could see the Olympic Peninsula from the Canadian side, on my way to work. The beach walking scene, the fog lifting and the revealing blue skies were part of the landscape that I also enjoyed. I must return. And please next time, take me with you on a hike. Thanks for sharing. PS: Love the Jeep! 🏞️⛺️🚙🎯🍺🇨🇦🇺🇸😎

[@AliceFordAdventures]

That’s so awesome Radisson, thank you. It’s such a magical place, I could picture myself living there too

[@radisson8627]

The Pacific Northwest is THE place for the outdoors. I have been in Palm Springs, hiked Joshua Tree National Park as exemple, but nothing compares to remote mountainous areas. Backpacking is a demanding sport, it is not as easy as it looks, it keeps "Weekend" people away from difficult terrain, therefore less crowded in the mountains. The Pacific Crest Trail, or at least a section of it, would be something to try.

[@darrinheike1495]

LOL - Sequim is pronounced, Skwim like swim with a 'k' in it. Located such that they experience a "Rain Shadow" effect which blocks weather from forming overhead. Sequim receives very little rainfall each year (less than 16 inches). The opposite (pacific) side of the range measures rainfall in feet annually.

[@dandawson8128]

Girl, you really get around! Wow, you’ve been to some awesome parks. Great content. I’ve been to a lot of places in your videos, but this is a good list of additional places to hike. Also, it’s Hall of Mosses not Moses. lol. Also, glad to see you do it on a budget, not sponsored high end living, which isn’t realistic. 💪👍🙏❤

[@peacenow4456]

Enjoying your channel. Sequim is pronounced like "squid" but w a M.

[@jayr9957]

I absolutely love this one. Another one for the ages and in the books :) Keep up the amazing work Alice!! You're such an inspiration for the outdoors and nature lovers! I explored all 4 areas of the Olympic national park about 5 years ago and everything you have said resonates with me so much. It's truly a magical place and one of my top 5 national parks out of the 40 I have explored so far!! Which part of the ONP was your favorite if you had to pick one?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Favorite part, certainly the lakes for me

[@mikekuhl2658]

The best day hike I ever did was the High Divide Trail in Olympic National Park.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I bet that was beautiful

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Awesome welcome to my backyard

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you! You’re lucky to call it home

[@MichaelSteighner]

Nice meeting you in person here at TravelCon. I forgot to mention, I used this video to help me find some cool places after just being in the Olympic national Park. Did you catch the Aurora by the way? The one we had beginning of May 2024. Was pretty Epic at Rialto Beach. 😎

[@julianat007]

Thanks!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much!

[@forestshomer4043]

You did hike within ONP, yes; but your Mt Townsend hike was in Olympic National FOREST (different Federal designation and management) and it looks like you maybe got to Cape Flattery, which is on the Makah Indian Reservation. Visitors will pay different fees in the various designations--for example, Makah has a visitor pass you purchase when entering the Rez, for $20. Your National Park and Forest passes/fees are each unique to their areas of administration. Four days was quite the dash through here; my intro was the Skyline Trail, which took seven days (we saw only elk and bear and marmots, no people, until the final day). There was one 24-hour deluge that would have turned back many hikers. That allowed the hike to really deepen--I never left. That was 53 years ago last week.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yes you’re correct which I mention and show in the video. I realize 4 days isn’t a lot but most people don’t have much more than a few days to explore a National park

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Glad you’ve been able to spend so much time in this great area

[@2011woodlands]

This video came out almost the same day as California Through My Lense visit to the same park, must be thinking alike. The most dangerous driving i did at the same elevation was in Honduras, driving a miliary HMMWV with passengers in the back and goat trail for a road on a side of mountain. I did see Mount Ranier on a sunny day from Fort Lewis one time, usually it was hidden behind a cloud of fog.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I noticed that too. It’s certainly a beautiful and popular park. Driving a fiat trail sounds pretty harrowing.

[@2011woodlands]

one bad move and you and the vehicle roll down the side of the mountain.@@AliceFordAdventures

[@billjanis6328]

I live here it’s great! Just an FYI, Sequim is pronounced “skwim.” Definitely not “skweem.” ☺️👍 The hiking and outdoors on Vancouver Island just across the water in Canada are shockingly spectacular. Some things over there that the Olympic peninsula don’t have, but I think the Olympic peninsula beats it out. More glaciers in Olympic National Park than any other place in the lower 48.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yes I was misinformed about t he pronunciation from a local 🤦‍♀️, I love Vancouver island and hiked the West coast trail a few weeks before this video was made. The cascades actually take the cake for the most glaciers, I’d love to do the hike from the high rainforest out the glacier sometime though.

[@ff-us6vy]

Lake CresCent.

[@davek4442]

Your one of the best hiking travel channels on KZbin! We are planning on traveling to see this National Park and your video has a lot of content which will shape our trip around. We planning 7 to 10 days in September next year. One question is we are day hikers and wondering how busy the parking areas are, we would get up early to get a spot. We live next to Rocky National Park and see getting a spot you need to be there before 7am. Just wondering if you found that there? Thanks Dave Safe Travels!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you Dave, the busiest areas are going to be hurricane hill up by Hurricane Ridge, as well as the beaches on the coast and the Hoh rainforest. The rainforest I would get too early as it does fill up, other than that I had no trouble finding parking but I do go for the more obscure places. At hurricane ridge they control traffic at the gate if it’s busy so that the parking does not get filled. Hope that helps

[@davek4442]

@@AliceFordAdventures Thanks

[@jasoncombs7545]

Seems like a place that would be hard to allocate the appropriate amount of time to visit. Want to see as much as possible, but it's also fun to leave some adventure in the bag for next time as motivation to return someday. Anyone want to come work for me so I can escape for a week?

[@mradamnichols]

Are there any areas where poison oak seemed like a concern? Great video!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I didn’t see any personally.

[@user-is8lp3nh9f]

Climates have been changing since the beginning of the Earth. Both warmer and cooler cycles have been recorded for hundreds of years that man has been recording such things let alone the advent of glacial ages where they were formed and then retreated. Life goes on.

[@mikefranck829]

Never before has man been responsible for those changes. 24:26

[@rolandplaneta8032]

Great episode! I just came back from a 2 day visit to the park … and coincidentally did almost the exact same route. Just curious why did you leave off the Tree of Life from your route?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Nice! I actually didn’t read anything about the tree of life but funnily enough probably parked within a few hundred feet of it at some point. I can’t hit everything but that looks really neat

[@kv3417]

Isn't that the spot where they saw Bigfoot. Alice thanks for the map, A lot of these places I'd like to go but i don't know how to get there.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Ha yes maybe? Sasquatch be watching us, lol. Glad you liked the map

[@darrinheike1495]

The reason it was hot and dryer is because you were there in the summer. Happens every year. Crazy, right?!

[@AussieAndrewsAdventures]

Hi Alice, I have been watching your videos, just been too busy here guiding and hiking myself to get online properly and comment. Just how cold is it over there and is this hike doable in the summer. I always worry about coming across bears over there haha

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I did all these hikes over the summer. I did not see any bears, but only black bears live in this area.

[@AussieAndrewsAdventures]

Geez so it still gets pretty cold up there in the summer? I'll keep the cold temps for Nepal and the Snowy Mountains here haha@@AliceFordAdventures

[@meganwagner9295]

The pronunciation rhymes with “swim” = Sequim. The “E” is silent. So think Squim. I was born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula

[@simplelife6284]

Hello Alice. My wife and I love your video. We are asking where you got your tan woven sweatshirt. Thank you.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much that sweatshirt is from a website called happy earth

[@Caleb85164]

Did you make it over to Rainer National Park?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Not yet

[@wazupfreddie]

I don’t know if this has been ask before. What kind of seat cover you have on your Jeep? Any links

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I don’t have. Link but they’re made by Rugged Ridge

[@wazupfreddie]

@@AliceFordAdventures Thanks 👍🏼❤️

[@carolcrutchfield8904]

Lol! It's SQaWIM....lol

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

Did you actually see any Puffin? I didn't realize they came that far south. THX

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yes there were actually a few there. I was also totally surprised. You can also see Puffins In Northern Maine in some seasons.

[@leestamm3187]

Tufted Puffins have been declining on the Washington coast and northern Puget Sound region for many years, but there are still a few around in the summer breeding season. I remember seeing a lot more of them in the late 70's and early 80's.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

There supposed to be parasites in crescent lake that burrow into your skin and cause severe rash. Glad you didn’t get that.

[@paulpowers1932]

When is the best time of year to do the North Cascades & Olympic National Park? Really enjoyed the video

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you Paul. That depends on you, the fall is fantastic still and will have fewer crowds while school is in session after Labor Day. April is a good month for the Olympics too but too early for the Cascades as the road is not open. I love early summer but it’s a little busier and harder to get hotels

[@anotherpenny1942]

Hurricane Ridge road generally doesn’t open until after Memorial Day. And the Obstruction Point road can remain closed i to Ju e, depending on lingering snow.

[@mikepotter4109]

Funny question you ask, throw out all these clips than drop Olympic lmao. I don't even hike.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Well luckily you don’t have to hike to love nature :)

[@tdg223]

Lets get married 🎉

[@MastRk]

Its SA-QWiMM not saqweem

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you 🤦‍♀️

[@MastRk]

@@AliceFordAdventures lol glad you enjoyed the area.

[@anotherpenny1942]

It’s not SA-QUIM either. It’s pronounced ‘SKWIM’. The ‘e’ is silent. Story goes that the town was originally supposed to be named ‘Seguim’ with a ‘g’ but it was misspelled on the paperwork and ended up being Sequim. Lol.

[@MastRk]

@@anotherpenny1942 Thats what i meant, i just put in phonetically wrong

[@atipsygypsylife]

It's pronounced skwim...like swim...not squeem, like scream. I live here....our town is Sequim .. pronounced "skwim"

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yes thanks, I put the correction in the video itself

[@duckshaker]

Sequim is pronounced "Sqim" rhymes with shim,

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yes I put a correction in this section of the video already

[@duckshaker]

@@AliceFordAdventures Thanks...I missed that!