Olympic National Park
Description
922,651 acres of rugged glacier-capped mountains, wild Pacific coast, and magnificent old-growth temperate rain forest. http://www.nps.gov/olym Diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. The park protects 922,651 acres, encompassing three distinctly different ecosystems — rugged glacier-capped mountains, wild Pacific coast, and magnificent old-growth temperate rain forest. These three ecosystems contain a unique array of habitats and life forms, resulting from thousands of years of geographic isolation, along with extreme gradients of elevation, temperature, and precipitation. Twenty-four endemic plant and animal species are found in Olympic National Park and nowhere else on earth.
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The mule herd appears glad to be back at the Elwha corral after their five month furlough in sunny Sequim. Shaggy winter coats still in-tact, looking more Mongolian than Peninsular; they all return healthy and well rested. Rest assured the trusty mules have not been forgotten over the past five months. In fact they have a strong community following in Sequim with neighbors that bring apples and carrots throughout winter and say hello and goodbye with a tear in their eye. Alas, there are trails to be cleared and park visitors to charm. With a bit of pre-season conditioning, a haircut, hoof trim, and fresh hiking shoes, they will be ready to begin hauling gear into the backcountry for the numerous Park programs they work to support. Please do stop by the Elwha corral and welcome the mules back to the mountains! ~ Trails Work Leader Zach
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If you have not heard, the Olympic Hot Spring Road (aka Elwha Valley Road) is back open. You can travel the road by vehicle to the Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook, the roadway beyond is limited to hiking, biking or horse travel. At this time the gravel Whiskey Bend Road is open to the trailhead. I was delighted to take a wonderful walk in my backyard into the Elwha recently. Can you name the area I took the above picture from? ~ Happy Hiking, Ranger Megan
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Salmonberry blooms in early spring with these vibrant pink flowers. This raspberry-like shrub produces berries in mid-summer that can be red, yellow or a pink shade of orange. Preferring moist, shady, damp areas, salmonberry can be found along stream-sides or in areas of recent disturbance below 3000 feet elevation. ~ Ranger Megan
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Notes from the field: Sometimes the reward is worth the effort “I snapped this shot while out doing field work today in the Elwha. It's nice to be rewarded with rainbows after bushwhacking in the cold and rain! That little speck on the left is the Glines Canyon Dam.” ~ Planning and Compliance Lead Christina What rewards have you found in the park after a hearty hike?
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Happy Arbor Day!
Photos from Olympic National Park's post
What inspires you to serve? This volunteer high school group had many great reasons for cleaning up Olympic National Park's beaches this week. ~ Ranger Christeal #FindYourPark #NPSVolunteer #NVM
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Olympic National Park and the North Olympic Library System has once again partnered to offer visitors a chance to experience a self-guided Poetry Walk through the woods. In its fourth season, poems have been placed on the following four trails in the park: the Hall of Mosses Trail (Hoh Rain Forest), the Living Forest Trail (off the E loop in the Heart O' the Hills Campground), Madison Falls Trail (Elwha Valley), and the Peabody Creek Trail (near the Visitor Center in Port Angeles). The poetry along the trails can be viewed now until May 31st. ~ Ranger Megan
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Skunk Cabbage can be seen as an indicator of spring as it is an early bloomer. Abundant this time of year around the park, it can be found in swampy, wet, forest lands. At first smell is not skunky as the name implies but it is when the leaves are bruised or crushed that the namesake odor becomes obvious. ~ Ranger Megan
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What inspires people to serve? In celebration of National Volunteer Week April 23- April 29, we are recognizing our amazing Volunteers-in-Parks (VIPs) by sharing their stories of service and inspiration. ~ Ranger Christeal #FindYourPark #NPSVolunteer #NVM If you volunteer for Olympic, but are too far away to have us take your photo, follow the link to find out how you can participate! www.nps.gov/getinvolved/national-volunteer-week-2017.htm
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Happy National Picnic Day! Picnics and parks just go together and we are wondering, what is your favorite tasty picnic treat? You know – the one you always pack first into your picnic basket! -- Ranger Carmen. NPS Photo.
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Happy Earth Day! NPS Photo - GLongenbaugh
Washington CoastSavers
Every April, hundreds of volunteers help clean marine debris from Washington's beaches as part of the Washington Coastal Cleanup. This year, the cleanup is Saturday, April 29th. Choose from over fifty beaches on the outer coast and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca! Register now at www.coastsavers.org. ~ Ranger Christeal
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