Olympic National Park, WA
Attractions
Lake Crescent
Note: Information in this article may have changed since the date of original publication.
According to Native American legend, Mount Storm King once became so fed up
with the fighting between the Clallams and Quileutes that he broke a rock off
his head and threw it down at the warring tribes. The scientific view of the
lake's origin isn't much different; it's attributed to ancient landslides that
divided a glacial lake into two large sections (Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland),
sending water from Lake Crescent out the Lyre River. Today, freshwater Lake
Crescent, 624 feet deep and 8.5 miles long, is famous for its Beardslee trout,
a subspecies that is large (some are in the 12-14 pound range) and a hard
fighter when hooked. Swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, and, of course,
fishing are popular lake activities. The lake has an impressive mountain-rimmed
setting.
Storm King Ranger Station
360-928-3380
The Park Service's ranger station is staffed during the summer months.
Fairholm Campground
On the west end of Lake Crescent. Has summertime naturalist programs on some evenings. $10; open year-round.
Klahowya Campground
The Forest Service campground nine miles west of Lake Crescent on Hwy. 101, has sites for $12; open May to mid-October.
Lake Crescent Lodge
360-928-3211
Built in 1916, a cozy place with a comfortable feeling from decades of guests, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who stayed here in 1937. Sit on the porch for fine views of the mountains and Lake Crescent, or lounge in front of the big fireplace on a cool evening. The lodge has all sorts of accommodations, including lodge rooms (bath down the hall), cottages (some with fireplaces), and modern motel units. Rates are $68-148. Open late April to late October. The lodge has a restaurant and gift shop, and rents rowboats.
Log Cabin Resort
360-928-3325
At the northeast end of Lake Crescent, is three miles from Hwy. 101 on E. Beach Road. Rates are $48-105 for rustic cabins, motel rooms, and waterfront A-frame chalets. Many of the buildings have stood here since the 1920s. In addition to accommodations, the resort also has meals, rowboat, paddleboat, canoe, and kayak rentals, a gift shop, grocery store, RV and tent sites. Open April-October.
Lake Sutherland Lodge B&B
360-928-2111 or 888-231-1444
East of Crescent Lake is the smaller Sutherland Lake, a popular place to swim. Lake Sutherland Lodge B&B is a modern log home with a covered deck facing the lake. The four guest rooms have private or shared baths and a full breakfast is served; rates: $65-90.
Shadow Mt. RV Park
360-928-3043
Park RVs along Lake Sutherland.
Fairholm General Store
360-928-3020
On the west end of Lake Crescent. Open April-Sept., and has tent sites and RV hookups, plus motorboats, rowboats, and canoes for rent. They also serve meals in the café; eat al fresco on a deck overlooking the lake.
HIKING
Marymere Falls Trail
From the ranger station, follow this trail three-quarters of a mile for a spectacular view of this 90-foot falls. Not a lot of water, but quite impressive nevertheless. Return via the Crescent Lake Lodge Trail for a two-mile loop hike.
Mt. Storm King Trail
Splits off from the Marymere Trail and climbs more than 3,000 feet in a bit over a mile with fine views across the lake. The path ends before the summit, and the Park Service recommends against continuing to the top due to hazardous conditions.
Spruce Railroad Trail
A four-mile hike starting at Lyre River Rd. or North Shore Rd. at opposite ends of Lake Crescent. This trail follows the tracks of the 1918 Spruce Railroad, built to supply spruce for World War I aircraft. The war was over before the railroad was completed, however, and the spruce was no longer needed. Two tunnels (closed) and depressions from the railroad ties remain. Besides a taste of local history, the almost-level hike provides a view of Lake Crescent.
Olympic Park Institute
360-928-3720 or 800-775-3720
The nonprofit institute offers excellent hands-on field seminars covering such diverse topics as Makah basketry, ecology of the forest canopy, and wolf biology. Seminars last 2-5 days and some may be taken for college credit. They also have an Elderhostel. Headquarters for the institute is the historic Rosemary Inn, near Lake Crescent Lodge. Students stay in nearby cabins, and meals are served family style at the inn.
Storm King Ranger Station
360-928-3380
The Park Service's ranger station is staffed during the summer months.
Fairholm Campground
On the west end of Lake Crescent. Has summertime naturalist programs on some evenings. $10; open year-round.
Klahowya Campground
The Forest Service campground nine miles west of Lake Crescent on Hwy. 101, has sites for $12; open May to mid-October.
Lake Crescent Lodge
360-928-3211
Built in 1916, a cozy place with a comfortable feeling from decades of guests, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who stayed here in 1937. Sit on the porch for fine views of the mountains and Lake Crescent, or lounge in front of the big fireplace on a cool evening. The lodge has all sorts of accommodations, including lodge rooms (bath down the hall), cottages (some with fireplaces), and modern motel units. Rates are $68-148. Open late April to late October. The lodge has a restaurant and gift shop, and rents rowboats.
Log Cabin Resort
360-928-3325
At the northeast end of Lake Crescent, is three miles from Hwy. 101 on E. Beach Road. Rates are $48-105 for rustic cabins, motel rooms, and waterfront A-frame chalets. Many of the buildings have stood here since the 1920s. In addition to accommodations, the resort also has meals, rowboat, paddleboat, canoe, and kayak rentals, a gift shop, grocery store, RV and tent sites. Open April-October.
Lake Sutherland Lodge B&B
360-928-2111 or 888-231-1444
East of Crescent Lake is the smaller Sutherland Lake, a popular place to swim. Lake Sutherland Lodge B&B is a modern log home with a covered deck facing the lake. The four guest rooms have private or shared baths and a full breakfast is served; rates: $65-90.
Shadow Mt. RV Park
360-928-3043
Park RVs along Lake Sutherland.
Fairholm General Store
360-928-3020
On the west end of Lake Crescent. Open April-Sept., and has tent sites and RV hookups, plus motorboats, rowboats, and canoes for rent. They also serve meals in the café; eat al fresco on a deck overlooking the lake.
HIKING
Marymere Falls Trail
From the ranger station, follow this trail three-quarters of a mile for a spectacular view of this 90-foot falls. Not a lot of water, but quite impressive nevertheless. Return via the Crescent Lake Lodge Trail for a two-mile loop hike.
Mt. Storm King Trail
Splits off from the Marymere Trail and climbs more than 3,000 feet in a bit over a mile with fine views across the lake. The path ends before the summit, and the Park Service recommends against continuing to the top due to hazardous conditions.
Spruce Railroad Trail
A four-mile hike starting at Lyre River Rd. or North Shore Rd. at opposite ends of Lake Crescent. This trail follows the tracks of the 1918 Spruce Railroad, built to supply spruce for World War I aircraft. The war was over before the railroad was completed, however, and the spruce was no longer needed. Two tunnels (closed) and depressions from the railroad ties remain. Besides a taste of local history, the almost-level hike provides a view of Lake Crescent.
Olympic Park Institute
360-928-3720 or 800-775-3720
The nonprofit institute offers excellent hands-on field seminars covering such diverse topics as Makah basketry, ecology of the forest canopy, and wolf biology. Seminars last 2-5 days and some may be taken for college credit. They also have an Elderhostel. Headquarters for the institute is the historic Rosemary Inn, near Lake Crescent Lodge. Students stay in nearby cabins, and meals are served family style at the inn.
Excerpted from Moon Handbooks: Washington, copyright 2002 by Don Pitcher. Used by permission of Avalon Travel Publishing.
