DAY 42 - OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK - HURRICANE RIDGE

SUNDAY

JULY 29, 2012

We drove 25 miles to attend 10 AM Mass at St. Edwards in Shelton, WA.  As Russ said later, "God honored our going to Mass, with  the sun beginning to shine by the time we had driven another 100 miles to Port Angeles, by  2:30PM. 

Port Angeles was our entry into Olympic National Park, via Hurricane Ridge Trail which took us 17 miles into the park, to an elevation of 5,242 feet.  By the time we arrived at the top, we had driven 145 miles. 

We spent a glorious two hours walking one of the trails, and taking pictures of the lupines, and some new flowers in the Lily family, as well as a set of fawns, and their Mother.

 Friskie Twins looking for their Mommy.

Foreground of Blue Lupines and Bistorts

 (Half inch white balls on long stems)

Avalanche  Lily

Can anyone give me a name for this one?

grandmarita15@gmail.com

Can you imagine snow so deep it blocked the trail,

as late as July 29th?  We had to turn around

and retrace our steps.  Two bonus' for doing that

were the sighting of the Fawn Twins,

and this DEER HOOF PRINT in the snow.

 Alpine Tiger Lily

was only about 6 inches high.

Russ and Rita on Hurricane Ridge of

Olympic National Park,

elevation 5,242 ft.

I felt like we were at the top of the Alps, just like in The Sound of Music.

The hills were alive with the Sound of Music in my heart.

I loved every minute we were there in Wildflower Heaven,

and so did this Deer what greeted us during

 our first few minutes on the trail.

If you would like to read and learn more about

Olympic National Park, go to:

www.nps.gov/olym

It sure is one place I wish we could have had several days

to explore.  We simply ran out of time, knowing we

had a 125 miles return trip to camp.
Wewanted to drive it, in as much daylight as possible.

My lesson - if we are ever blessed to come this way again,

stay at a camp ground closer to the Park.
Plan to be there a minimum of three days to see it all.