The Mountains are Calling

When the mountains call, you answer!  I took a little trip to Olympic National Park to spend some time with the Olympic Mountains.  The park is huge, so I only did one small piece of it, and will have to return another time.  Specifically the Hoh Rainforest, but we didn't make it near that far.  The only stop we made was to Hurricane Ridge.  It was a beautiful drive there- through winding roads up into the mountains.  

Once we arrived, we stopped, parked, and enjoyed the scenery.

Somehow, wildlife in nature was less scary than elks on a farm...

Just not a bad view.  Once our entire crew arrived (4 cars, no cell phone reception!), we split up to do some exploring.  Our group decided to go on a 3 mile (round trip) hike that was recommended about a mile away, so we loaded up a couple cars and headed that direction.  We were told the hike was "a little steep at the end" but overall not too difficult.

The views were crazy good.  This is another time when the camera just doesn't do it justice.  You have to be there to take it all in!  

It was sunny and warm, with little shade plus high altitude, so lots of breaks were necessary.  

Our crew was taking a break towards the end, because they were not kidding about the "steep" part!

But once you got to the top (a good hour later for about 1.5 miles of hiking) you can see over that mountain top and in all directions.  A great view of the Puget Sound on one side and the Olympic Mountains on the other.  Plus we got a bonus viewing....

There was a mountain goat taking up the only shade around!  He was content and we were quiet, so we got to sit a few rocks away and enjoy the view together.

It is hard to tell (again, pictures can't do this view justice!), but beyond the mountain is water and then more land on the other side.

Just a little perspective... we didn't do that trail to the left- it was just a short trail to another view- but you can see the trail we hiked up down below that winds around.

So we just hung out on top of the world for a little while.  But then our mountain goat was on the move, so we scrambled away pretty quickly.  They aren't known for being kind.

The hike back down was much quicker and easier than the way up.  Funny how that happens.

It was a full and eventful day on the peninsula.  We all loaded up and began the drive home and passed my new favorite street.

As usual, the best part was the ferry ride back into the city.   Hard to see, but the "mountain is out" (Mt. Rainer) and the city is looking lovely!