Kalaloch, Olympic National Park - Washington Road Trip
Kalaloch, Olympic National Park - Washington Road Trip
Situated just west of two temperate rainforests, the Hoh and the Quinault, and along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Kalaloch boasts a unique ecosystem. The area, which measures its annual rainfall in feet and not inches, provides the perfect habitat for land and sea creatures alike. This makes it an ideal place to stop, explore, and even spend the night.
We knew we wanted to stay in a national park lodge while we were in Olympic National Park, and the Kalaloch Lodge was a beautiful choice. The lodge is located on a bluff with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can stay in a spacious room in the Main Lodge, in an adorably cozy cabin, in the hotel-like Seacrest House, or at a campsite with an ocean view.
The Kalaloch area is rich with history. Artifacts show that the area was occupied as long as 13,000 years ago. In the late 1970s the remains of an Ice Age mastodon were discovered with what appeared to be a spear that dates back 13,800 years. Today, there are eight tribes that maintain association with the lands of the park who uphold the traditions of their ancestors who once dwelt in this area.
The beaches of Kalaloch are famous for their driftwood riddled shorelines, and bird and whale-watching. They are also the home of the Tree of Life, which is also called Tree Root Cave. The sitka spruce tree is an amazing natural phenomenon, growing on the side of an eroded bluff with what seems to be without soil. It is a mystery to visitors and scientists alike how this tree is still standing after what many believe is hundreds of years.
These beaches also draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for a glimpse at their brightly colored marine-life filled tidal pools. If you time your visit just right, you can go tidepooling and find all kinds of marine life such as sea snails, barnacles, mussels, anemones, sea stars, crabs, spiky sea urchins, and more.
When tidepooling, it is important to remember your tide pool etiquette to keep yourself and the sea life safe and healthy. Here are some important tips to help you out -
Walk, don't run or jump. This will reduce fall risk and protect sea life.
Step on bare rock instead of rocks covered in living organisms when possible.
Stay out of the water and on the beach or edge of a tide pool. This allows sea life to remain undisturbed.
Turn small rocks over very gently to reduce the risk of injuring life under or around it. DO NOT attempt to pick up large rocks.
Use seawater to wet your hand before touching or holding life in the pools.
Leave things as you found them. Put things back carefully including seaweed or other cover for shelter. Do not take any of the sea life with you.
Pay attention to the incoming tides.
Test the rock before you step on them. Wet rocks can be very slippery.
Wear shoes that are sturdy and good for water.
Make sure children are closely monitored by adults to decrease the possibility of injury and accident.
Do not bring dogs when tidepooling.
