Daydreamer

Have lots of questions...
but before I launch into further ones...
need early, quick advice. Actually, maybe I should post this also to Oregon forum...can't recall if that's needed or not?

Anyway, will be heading to San Juan Islands in middle May. Considering including a quickie tour of Olympic Peninsula which we enjoyed 10 yrs ago or so in July. (was STUNNING)

Thoughts on a later May visit? Too early for any flowers on Hurricane Ridge? Weather likely to be iffy at best, or...? The lupine were glorious in July. Worried none of that will be in action from viewpoints on Hurricane Ridge in May.

Have to choose between doing Olympic Peninsula again (in a too short circle)...OR...doing Crater Lake instead which we haven't seen for 20 yrs!(even longer)

This will be a anniversary trip so looking for some unusual romantic accomodations, if they're available. 10 yrs ago...none to be found on west coast of ONP. Port Townsend was cute but no time for it this trip, I think?

Just curious if any further choices have popped up near Hoh Rain Forest (Lake Ozette/Makah area where we did a great hike)...or along western beaches there?

As I recall, the few options were pretty run-down. Lake Crescent & Quinault were pretty simple as I recall, but fine. Not sure which one to choose now if time for only one? Either one renovated or...?
Opinions most welcome?

Feeling overwhelmed but needing to book very soon, all of the above! (btw, starting trip w/quick Nor Cal stop near Redwood Nat'l Forest...then, maybe Tu Tu Tu'n if rates okay then in Gold Beach) If time, maybe one more night near Florence...not sure of timeline.

We *also* have done Oregon coast before, but thought it might be a nice slow-down start to anniversary trip. Then, up to San Juans for almost a week's stay. Then, to return to Nor Cal...thought we'd either do ONP OR...Crater Lake quickie stay. (haven't seen that lodge since they renovated it) Worth it in May? Please advise! :-\ Doing drive vs. flight partially to see whatever looks best in late Spring. Some things better later...
some things only dry. (as Shasta area gets in summer) Hood River area probably pretty gorgeous in May, I'd guess? (orchards behind?) But it's pretty out of our way this time around. And Ranier? Just too early, right? Thanks so much!!

rm_mn

A few years ago we visited Crater Lake in mid-June and the road had opened just a few days before we got there. This year the mountains of the northwest are getting above normal snow so expect the road to open late.

Flooding this winter washed out a bunch of roads around Mt. Ranier so the roads there are mostly closed too.

enzian

I'm afraid you'll find snow, not wildflowers, up at Hurrican Ridge in May. But lower down, near sea level, the wild rhododendrons will be blooming (that's why they have a Rhodie festival in Port Townsend then). And the Hoh rainforest and the Olympic beaches will be fine, although the weather may be drippy. YOur chances of good weather are better in the San Juans.

happytrailstoyou

May is early for Crater Lake and, in any event, it is one heck of a long drive to Crater Lake from the San Juan Islands. The Olympic Peninsula, on the other hand, is nearby.

We visited Lake Quinault, Ruby Beach, Lake Crescent, and Hurricane Ridge in January, 2007. It was lovely, and I predict it will be pleasant in May too.

Daydreamer

HappyTrails, in particular...
what was it like at Hurricane Ridge in January? I can't imagine!

Was it just snowed in on top, but with nice views of snowy mtns for as far as the eye could see, or...?
(fogged in?)

Please share more.
Darn...
maybe we shouldn't take a full 2 weeks then. Didn't want to quite repeat a wonderful trip we made 4 yrs ago up Oregon Coast to our islands. Kinda hoped to 'change it up' a tad more, but maybe dabbling into the southern Oregon Coast, and then, bringing back in a place like ONP.

And the weather being so iffy in May, it sounds like...? Kinda torn now about what to do. :-\ Maybe should only do the San Juans and just take a week. (and fly)

starrsville

ttt

happytrailstoyou

Daydreamer,

We went to Ocean Shores and the Olympic Peninsula the last week of January, which was sunny.

Hurricane Ridge in January was a big surprise to me. All the way up I kept wondering why so many cars were going down. When I got to the top, I discovered more cars than I had ever seen there before. It was hard to find a parking place!

The ridge was swarming with people engaged in winter sports--cross country skiing, snowboards, etc. It was quite a scene.

We just walked around and enjoyed the view of the snow covered mountains glistening in the sun.

Views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca were excellent as we drove down.

Happy Trails to You

NWWanderer

Both are going to still be snowy in mid-May, most likely. But the nice thing about the OP is that there are plenty of low-elevation hiking options that will be snow free.

No renovations yet on Lk Crescent or Lk Quinault Lodge. If you want a romantic place, the best option is Colettes B&B near Port Angeles (but obviously that's not out on the west coast but it's at least further out than Pt Townsend).

P.S. Did you do a trip to Tofino last fall? Your user name sounds familiar. How did that work out--where did you end up staying?

justme22

you'll probably get into crater lake but the road will likely be closed all the way around.... hurricane ridge might have some snow but it may also be wide open but too early for flowers i would think. maybe someone might know when the lavendar farms are in full bloom on the penninsula. may might be right, that might be something different to see...i was there in sept. so i missed them. love that area. enjoy

Daydreamer

Thanks, guys! I'm guessing the lavender farms will be blooming more in July, but am not sure. (seems that way on San Juan Island)

Hmmm...it does seem that there may be enough other things to do in ONP
to make it worthwhile. And last time we were there (our only time) it was so sunny & warm in the Hoh rainforest
that I suppose if it rains some, it wouldn't be all 'wrong' for that area, after all. ;-)

I wonder if we should consider Port Townsend or not if time is tight?
Again, it's just a blur in my memory.
I think we stayed at the James House when there 10 yrs ago.

Yes, NWWanderer, I DID go to Tofino (finally!) this past Fall. It was wonderful!

Locals couldn't fathom the kind of sunny weather they kept having.
Said it was unreal...and almost 'too much' for their tastes. But whatever the case, made things easier for sightseeing. We were there in October, actually.

We stayed at Middle Beach in 2 different kinds of units, and found it really comfortable. Thanks for all your help NWWanderer, while we planned out that trip.

We can't get *enough* of your fair corner of the world!
(we try to hit somewhere from Oregon to San Juans/Gulf Islands or Canada (including the Rockies) at least once a year. We're fully addicted!

Gardyloo

Why don't you reconsider your original impulse and try the east side of the mountains in one direction for a change? Swing over to K Falls from Calif. and head up US 97. Even if Crater Lake is still snowy (and it might not be, just not summery) it's still a knockout for a couple of hours, then you can continue north. But keep going north all the way to Lake Chelan, stopping at the Maryhill Museum on the Columbia River near where US 97 crosses. At Lake Chelan take the Lady of the Lake up to Stehekin for a rustic and remote overnight or two. Then continue up to WA SR 20 and cross through N. Cascades National Park (which will also still be snowy but no less scenic for it) and west on SR20 all the way to Anacortes for the San Juan ferry.

Then head south through Olympic NP or via Puget Sound, back south on the freeway or coast as you please.

In May the US 97 route is gorgeous - Old West scenery, vinyards around Yakima, orchards from Wenatchee to Omak, the big river here and there... pretty fine touring.

justme22

i did gardyloo's route, almost. loved Chelan and steheken was really cute. north cascades just beautiful. I stayed on lake chelan and did a day trip to steheken. i stayed in the cascades on the west side of snoqualame (sp?) pass. great area

Bobmrg

Mount Rainier National Park is closed until further notice:

http://tinyurl.com/2cbhka

Daydreamer

Thanks, everyone!
Gardyloo...
we have actually see Leavenworth, Lake Chelan & that region about 10 yrs ago. But that was high summer. I recall North Cascades being too snowy even in early July to attempt hikes in. I suppose it could be dramatic in May. (but definitely no hikes)

Hmmm...I wonder about Stehekin. Considered it in the past. I wonder what that would be like in May. Our main problem is we only have 2 weeks. And if we're to slow down & do islands for one week, I wonder if we've got enough time left over for ONP plus the inland explorations?

As it is, I was almost settling on a tiny bit of Oregon Coast on way up (so we can do 101 in Calif for a change...it can be quite beautiful in spring w/wildflowers). And with THAT, I was concerned no time for ONP on way down.

Hmmm...so much to see, so little time! 'Tis hard for us to reduce down Orcas & San Juan Island to less than 7 nights...or even 8. We just love 'em so much...esp. in May when it's quieter. Thanks again!