With the 2024 summer Olympics pending in Paris, France there will no shortage of cardiovascular events on display within the city of lights. Similarly for alpinists, the months of June, July, and August command their own fitness regimen among the trails and elevated footpaths of sun filled mountains throughout the United States, South America, Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia. A pastime of both travel necessity and nature-filled recreation, in the continental U.S. hiking has filled the Rocky Mountains, Appalachian, and rich alpine settings of the Pacific Northwest since indigenous peoples established harmonious habitats at the foot of such trail heads thousands of years ago. Thus, to conduct Spring & Summer excursions among the mountains is to tread in the footsteps of the North American continent’s earliest settlers and to bask in the very same alpine air, greenery, and beauty experienced in the far past and which continues to be protected & preserved today. Of the myriad protected lands within United States, none may exude the variety of climate, terrain, coastal sensibilities, and forest vegetation as that of Olympic National Park in the state of Washington.

A story that intertwines the recognition of its inherent natural beauty, respect for deep indigenous roots, and a passion for preservation, Olympic National Park has a long history of human habitation and appreciation for such wild places. A region originally inhabited by such peoples as the Quinault, Hoh, and Makah tribes, the Olympic Peninsula has been home to outdoors peoples since the Late Prehistoric & Late Woodland periods of biological evolution. An era marked by advancements in agriculture and general population expansion, such forward motion of technological gain and thriving social organization were also balanced with continuous deference to living sustainably and with respect to the habitat from which food, shelter, and food was derived.

European exploration of the Pacific Northwest first began in the late 18th century in concert with Spanish & British expeditions interested in territorial expansion. The area became part of the United States with the Oregon Treaty of 1846 which established the border between the U.S. and Canada. Further into the late 19th and early 20th centuries, amidst a significant Westward migration, European-American settlers were drawn to the area for both its beauty and abundant natural resources that latter of which formed the basis of future timber trade.

To counter the aggressive expansion of logging and well ahead of his time from an environmental perspective, President Theodore Roosevelt soon came to designate Mount Olympus National Monument while officially shielding a portion of the pristine Olympic Peninsula from further commercial activity. Theodore Roosevelt’s passion and protection of the great outdoors was followed over the decades to come by continued conservationists, environmentalists, and indigenous leaders. Such a spirit & fervor led to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (FDR) signature bill of 1937 which formally established Olympic National Park expanding wilderness protections to 900,000 acres of the region’s comprehensive and wonderfully diverse ecosystem of rugged coastlines, temperate rainforests, and alpine meadows.

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Since its founding & recognition by FDR, Olympic National Park has become a beloved destination for alpinists, offering opportunities for hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and exploration of its unique & varied climes. Specifically, hiking caters to various interest and skill levels and are satisfied by an extensive network of trails that traverse from temperate forests of greenery to elevated alpine peaks well above sea level. Popular paths of natural beauty for both experienced alpinist and recreational first time outdoors enthusiasts include the strenuous Mount Storm King trip and the milder Hoh River Trail.

With the reward of panoramic views of Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains, the 4.1 mile Mount Storm King excursion includes an elevation gain of 2,065 feet and requires a round trip travel time of 4-6 hours. Beginning at the Marymere Falls Trail before branching off towards Mount Storm King, initial sections of this pathway command leisurely walkways through old-growth forest. Thereafter, a series of ever steeper and rugged switchbacks lead climbers out of dense evergreens and across exposed and rocky terrain requiring the use of rope assistance for both ascents and descents. Be forewarned, it can be often that ropes have deteriorated requiring legitimate alpine technique and hard scrambles for climbers. Likewise, real exposure may be encountered on the summit so caution regarding weather patterns and visibility are a must with a sound level of physical fitness and general mountain comfort also a pre-requisite for summit success.

A contrast of alternative natural scenery to Mount Storm King is the Hoh River Trail. Considered another of the premier hiking experiences of Olympic National Park. the Hoh River Trail is a step into the wilderness of the past and is appreciated for its temperate rainforest and varied riverside trail network. Beginning at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, excursions on this particular path may take just a few short hours, a full day, or entail multi-day backpacking trips as far as 17.4 miles. Experienced alpinists may achieve an ending elevation climb of 3,700 feet with it ending destination at Glacier Meadows. Well above the tree line and commanding an area of 1.7 square miles, the glacier surface itself contains 580,000,000 cubic feet of ice & snow. Starting out, by following the Hoh River upstream, hikers will immediately enjoy a lush, green landscape filled with moss-draped trees, ferns, and diverse plant life & vegetation. Along the way alpinists will encounter classic attractions such as Mineral Creek Falls, the historic Olympic Guard Station, and Elk Lake. En route, the sound of the river itself and the densely enclosed canopy overhead offers a timeless sense of serenity and connecting with the areas original inhabitants whose footsteps occupied these same trails thousands of years ago.

Full of raw natural beauty deserving its protected status among America’s wonderous national parks, the Olympic Peninsula’s deep rooted history in the Pacific Northwest continues to inspire awe & respect in this modern age. Treading where indigenous peoples lived harmoniously among the forests, lakes, and mountains, today’s alpinists of the area step respectfully into this timeless landscape to share in the tradition timeless mountain travel & recreation. Maintained with conservationist care since the day President FDR gave official designation to Olympic National Park, this outdoor playground of the Pacific Northwest is as good as any gold that may be discovered during the summer of 2024.