Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park

Established: 1938

The Olympic National Park lies on the Olympic Peninsula in the north-west of Washington State, which is bounded on the west by the Pacific, on the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca (the Canadian frontier) and on the east by Puget Sound. On the peninsula is the largest and finest expanse of temperate rain forest in the western hemisphere, declared a National Monument in 1909. The Olympic National Park is one of most visited National Parks in the United States, drawing over 3-1/2 million visitors a year.

Within a relatively small area, between sea level and the summit of Mount Olympus (7965 ft), it contains a wide range of different landscapes, the main types of which are covered in the sites described below.

The Olympic Mountains, lying in the centre of an area shaped by the encounter of two plates in the process of continental drift, are a geologically young and much folded range. The mountains are deeply fissured, with a complex system of steep valleys. The rocks are mainly marine sediments, with some volcanic intrusions (e.g. cushion lava). There are some 60 glaciers and numerous snowfields. Moraines, travelled granite blocks from Canada, corries, corrie lakes and U-shape valleys give evidence of strong local glaciation and of the advance of glaciers from the north during the Ice Age. There are still about 60 glaciers and numerous snowfields. Above the tree line is a region of alpine meadows with colourful mountain flowers.

Information The National Park is open all year round; the Visitor Center for the Olympics is in Port Angeles, and the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center is at Forks. There is also a hotel on the U.S. 101; otherwise there are campsites scattered over the region, some of which can be used free of charge.

It is strictly forbidden to walk on the Alpine meadows. The ascent of the highest mountains is recommended only for the most experienced climbers with proper equipment. Rainwear and good boots are also essential for hikers.