Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent Washington Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent Lodge and lake is a beautiful part of Olympic National Park.
At the lake there are high mountains and the signature pine trees that define the northwest, the ponderosa pine from 180 million years ago,the Lodgepole pine, Whitebark pine and western white pine. Foggy clouds with the sun shining through and high winds, just before a thunderstorm made cresting waves onto the rocky beach. Some folks were going into the water and kids were playing around the fallen trees by the water. The lodge itself is a short walk from the beach and parking area, there is no hike for those just wanting to enjoy a view with the water and then close by is a gorgeous mile hike to Marymere Falls. Lake crescent is near NatureBridge campground not far after Elwha. Lake Crescent is about 30 minutes west of the main Olympic national park visitor center. Remember to like and subscribe and check out the video about The Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Marymere Falls
Olympic National Park Visitor Center
As you enter the Olympic National Park Visitor Center to the left is a long canoe featuring some whaling history. There is a mushroom exhibit that might remind you of Super Mario World especially that red one in the middle and teaches that Washington has over 400 species of mushrooms. To the left of that exhibit is a room with a bold cougar and a majestic elk. To the right of the elk walking into the room is a display showing a tree trunk from the 1300s that was cut after the parks foundation in 1938.
MaryMere Falls-Olympic National Park
A short hike or walk through a forest reminiscent of a Jurassic Rainforest is hidden MaryMere Falls. A Beautiful 90 foot waterfall with a journey even more exciting than the destination. The trail leading to the falls is relatively flat but along the way are gigantically tall trees and many with huge trunks where trees have to be at least 700-1000 years old. Much of foliage consists of the a fuzzy fungus hanging from and covering many trees and brought images to mind of Dinosaurs pounding their way through the forest with all the ferns and the water that runs through has its own quiet beauty. At the end of the trail is a bridge with rails made of a long tree trunk and bounces a little as you walk on it, then come the stairs to take you to the falls. There are two paths, the falls loop on the left and the other way on the right. I recommend going to the left. The reason I recommend that is that I sprinted up the path leaping up the stairs and I went to the right which took me to the top view of the falls first then took me down loop to the second viewing area, which was even more impressive, but the left side of the loop was a much more manageable hike, or run, as the lower has a lower incline. The the walk back is easy and the cars passing by the freeway may sound like a swarm of bees. Look for the arch and giant tree trunks along your path!
