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common on the north/northeast slope of the Olympics that the towns under it average less than 20 inches of rainfall per year (not to mention, prevailing VFR conditions). So, it should be no surprise that several airports reside there. Sequim Valley Airport (W28) and Port Angeles’ Fairchild International (KCLM) are pilot-controlled fields. Both towns have ample lodging and transportation choices, but CLM is the larger and better equipped airport facility, including Jet-A fuel and rental car availability. Inbound pilots should use caution for the numerous private strips in the area, as well as the Port Angeles Coast Guard Air Station.
Touring in the Shadows
Much of the northern portions of Olympic National Park fall within the rain shadow, greatly increasing your chances of enjoying them in relatively good weather. Nonetheless, ONP’s most popular season is similar to NCNP’s. The popular Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, high atop Hurricane Hill (elevation 5,757 feet) suffered a fire in early 2023 that closed both the facility and much of the Klahhane Ridge Road. Until those facilities are rebuilt and reopened, the ONP HQ and Visitor Center in Port Angeles should be your first stop for the latest info and park alerts.
Even bigger than NCNP, ONP covers almost a million acres but is incredibly biodiverse. As a result, it looks and feels very different in various park sections. Highway 101 runs along the northern forest sections and offers access to several side roads into the park’s northern viewpoints, waterfalls, lakes and trailheads. Continuing west on Hwy 101 will take you across the peninsula and provide access into the other two ecosystems the park encompasses. The separate coastal section is only a few miles wide but over 60 miles long. There, one can wander from beach to beach all day, beachcombing, rock scrambling, hiking or just taking in the incredible views. The beaches in the middle sections get the most crowds, so if it’s desolation you want, branch out north and south along the coastal sections.
There are two entrances into the temperate rainforest sections in the park’s western (non-coastal) areas. The Hoh Rain Forest and Quinault Rain Forest are vastly different from the dryer forest and sub-alpine areas farther north and east. Touring there puts the tourist in the shadows, humbled beneath the canopy of massive trees and dense blankets of moss. The plant and animal life in the rainforests is simply incredible to behold and the NPS has created a great way to see it via accessible loop trails and scenic drives. Specific
12 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2024