Washington State is a wonderful place, where within a few hours you can reach two major mountain ranges, desert, rain forest, and the ocean. As much fun as it is to explore other regions, home has a lot to offer.
I recently bought a new car, wanted to put some miles on it, and asked my friend Brad, a fellow photographer, if he wanted to join me. He cleared his schedule and off we went.
The first leg of our trip started on the Bainbridge Ferry. After traversing Bainbridge Island, we crossed over to the Kitsap Peninsula briefly before taking the Hood Canal Bridge to the Olympic Peninsula. We made a pit stop in Port Angeles for supplies and to buy a permit to camp out on Second Beach in La Push. Be advised that camping on the Olympic Peninsula requires a bear canister to store food.
We made it to the Second Beach trail head about two hours before sun down and started the easy 0.75 mile hike to the beach. Sunset was beautiful with rich blues and deep oranges. We had planned to spend the night out on the beach to take pictures of the stars but some clouds from the north had other ideas. We decided to head into Forks to find food and found a bed and breakfast to crash for the night.
Waking up before dawn, we headed south to Ruby Beach for sunrise. After a brief photo session we decided to go explore the Hoh Rainforest, which is is filled with life, before heading back home. We saw deer along the road, birds flying through the trees and moss everywhere along the appropriately named Hall of Mosses trail. One could easily spend days exploring the Hoh Rain Forest.
Directions
To reach Second Beach take the Bainbridge Ferry and follow WA-305 to Poulsbo and take WA-3 to the intersection of WA-104 just east of the Hood Canal Bridge. Turn left at the WA-3/WA-104 junction and head west across the Hood Canal Bridge. Continue following WA-104 until it ends at US 101. Take US 101 North and follow the highway for just of 100 miles until reaching La Push Road (WA-110). Follow WA-110 west until you reach the Second Beach trail head.
Ruby Beach is located 27 miles south of Forks. Using the above directions, continue south past La Push Road (WA-110), through the town of Forks until reaching Ruby Beach
The Hoh Rain Forest turnoff is 13 miles south of Forks. After taking the turnoff, follow the road 18 miles into the Olympic National Park.
