Olympic National Forest

There are more than 200 miles of trails, with some overlapping into Olympic National Park. Pets are permitted on forest trails. Trout fishing is popular; hunting is permitted in season. Most recreation sites are open May through October. Evidence of early mining activities, railroad logging and exploration remains.

Of special interest is the Quinault Rain Forest. Two loop trails into the rain forest begin at the nature trail parking lot off South Shore Road, 2 miles off US 101 at Lake Quinault. Five wilderness areas encompass thousands of acres; Buckhorn is the largest. Permits are not needed to enter the wilderness areas; however, motorized vehicles are not permitted.

The Steel Bridge is 8 miles west of US 101 on Skokomish Valley Road, then 2.4 miles north on gravel FR 2340. It stands 420 feet above the basalt-lined canyon of Vance Creek. Built by the Simpson Timber Co. in 1929 as part of its logging railway, the span was opened to vehicle use in 1964.

Panoramas of the Olympics, Hood Canal and Puget Sound reward a trek to the Mount Walker viewpoint, accessible by a gravel road off US 101 south of Quilcene. Also exceptionally scenic is Seal Rock Beach, along the Hood Canal 2 miles north of Brinnon.

Access is free. A Northwest Forest Pass, available at ranger stations, is required for parking at most trailheads. A day pass costs $5 per vehicle; an annual pass costs $30 per vehicle. Ranger stations are located at Forks, Quilcene and Quinault. For further information contact the Olympic National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. S.W., Suite A, Olympia, WA 98512-5623; phone (360) 956-2402, (360) 956-3203 or TTY (360) 956-2401.