Story by Jeffrey
Lakeside Retreat in the Heart of the Olympics
Adventure in Port Angeles, Peninsulas, WA, US
A quiet lakeside retreat that is the perfect base camp to experience all that Olympic National Park has to offer. The first night we arrive to a clear sky full of stars, and after taking it all in from the cabin dock, we settled into the relaxing and cozy bedroom.
The sunrise gave way to a beautiful low fog on the surface of the lake, slowly burning off to reveal a view of the surrounding mountains. For the day we headed out to enjoy Salt Creek Recreational Area, only a 30 min drive away. After that, we made our way to Lake Cresent for a short but gruelling hike to Mount Storm King for sunset.
The lake house was the perfect place to rest our legs from a day full of adventure. The next morning consisted of coffee on the deck and a paddle around the lake with the kayaks (provided for us by the host!). I can't think of a better place to spend a weekend to enjoy the mountains, lake, and beaches of the Olympic Pennisula....
The sunrise gave way to a beautiful low fog on the surface of the lake, slowly burning off to reveal a view of the surrounding mountains. For the day we headed out to enjoy Salt Creek Recreational Area, only a 30 min drive away. After that, we made our way to Lake Cresent for a short but gruelling hike to Mount Storm King for sunset.
The lake house was the perfect place to rest our legs from a day full of adventure. The next morning consisted of coffee on the deck and a paddle around the lake with the kayaks (provided for us by the host!). I can't think of a better place to spend a weekend to enjoy the mountains, lake, and beaches of the Olympic Pennisula....
Things We Did
- Hike
- Surf
Hike to an incredible view of Lake Crescent via the Mount Storm King trail. The hike starts from the Storm King Ranger Station next to Lake Crescent. Follow the trail under Hwy 101 towards Marymere Falls, turning left about halfway through the hike up a trail with signage for Mnt. Storm King.
The hike is 5.3 miles RT with 2,076 ft of elevation gain, but well worth the effort. The final push to the summit does require some scrambling and the use of ropes that are already in place on the hike. Enjoy the view from the peak for sunset and head back down with a headlamp for the best adventure....
The hike is 5.3 miles RT with 2,076 ft of elevation gain, but well worth the effort. The final push to the summit does require some scrambling and the use of ropes that are already in place on the hike. Enjoy the view from the peak for sunset and head back down with a headlamp for the best adventure....
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
We've plotted our adventure on the map below. Select the map icons to discover more details.
Share The Love
Add this story to your bucket list or gift it to someone you think deserves it!
Book Our Adventure
Book through this story to receive our itinerary and extra tips to help you live your adventure to the fullest.
What are Riparide Stories?
Riparide Stories are authentic experiences shared by real travelers (who are handy with a camera). It's like reading your best friend's travel journal - packed with photos, honest reviews and visual itineraries.