From ice encrusted-crags to crisp glacial lakes, salty ocean beaches and the deep, quiet damp of temperate rain forest,  Olympic National Park is a small paradise on earth. Bears meander across slopes strewn with wildflowers in summer, while visitors mosey along narrow trails that penetrate this beautiful wilderness, leading on to alpine lakes, remote camp sites and some of the best the Northwest has to offer in terms of natural setting. A relatively short jaunt from the civilized world, a visit to the Olympics can be short, sedate and scenic or, with the proper pack, long, solitary and strenuous.

Take a day-hike on one of the many trails that range in length from half a mile to 13- miles round-trip. For longer back-packing trips, start at a trailhead in Sol Duc, Storm King or Hoh Rain Forest and cross from one side of the park to another via interconnected trails. Pitch your tent at one of the spots designated for campers along the way, though keep your food sealed away to avoid midnight visitors of the furry bear-like kind.

You won't be able to access the interior of the park if you opt for viewing Olympic-quality vistas from the safety of your vehicle. There are roads that skirt the park, several of which penetrate via winding roads a few miles into the interior and quality visitor centers to give you a better idea of what you're missing.

In winter, Hurricane Ridge, 17 miles south of Port Angeles, opens to skiers and snowboarders, though recently the area has been having a 'winter drought', i.e. no snow, no go. Strap on a pair of snowshoes when powder is no problem for some backcountry exploration.

Olympic National Park is about 100 miles west of Seattle as the crow flies and the ferry rides.