Pacific North West

The vacation to Pacific North west was in our to do list this year but I was bit reluctant as we had 9 month old baby to travel with us. Nevertheless my husband dragged me into this and we did it no regrets and credit goes to our baby who was so much cooperative in this week long trip were in we travelled by all means of transportation air, land and water.

Mt Rainier




We took off from Cincinnati to Seattle, 4 and half hour flight our little angel managed it smoothly. From Seattle we drove straight to Mt Rainier National Park. Stayed two night at National Park Inn, a warm cozy place. Next day it was cloudy and Mt Rainier was engulfed in huge cloud most of the day and by evening it started to come back to view and there she was clam and beautifully standing. The park has many trails which doesn't disappoint anybody, we took :
Groove of Patriachs - after a beautiful drive along Steven Canyon, we headed to the trail and got see Douglas Firs, red cedar trees a memorable walk through old growth forest.
Nisqually Vista - easiest trail in Paradise area of park and gives breath taking view of Mt Rainier which stands decorated among beautiful strech of wild flora. This was my favourite spot in park, trully a paradise on earth.
Trail of Shadows - small simple trail in Longmire area, we took this early in morning the fresh air amidst the trees in forest and green meadows gave good kick to start a long day of hiking.
Reflection lakes - lakes are spread through out the park and sight of reflections of Mt Rainier on surface of silent water is breath taking, one can sit for hours admiring the beauty of mountains, the reflections and the calm serene environment.
We wrapped our MtRainier Visit with the beautiful sunset view at Paradise area, from there we drove to Mt St Helens.

Mt St Helens



Through out the drive to Mt St Helens there are many view spots which gives you good view of the entire area, this historic place is part of Pacific Ring Of Fire. The place where most devasting volconic eruption occured in 1980, Johnston Ridge Observatory screened movies which are very informative. Weyerhaeuser has hand planted around 18 million seedlings in this area which was swept away by the eruption, as we drove through those trees we were apprecitive of this initiative as today these sappling stand about 70 feet tall filling the entire area green where once it was covered by mud ash.

Quinault Rain Forest









Lake Quinault Lodge



Next we headed to Olympic National Forest, Olympic National Park and Forest are interwined. Beautiful fresh greenery through out, entired Quinault Rain Forest first this was my first visit to rain forests hence I was excited to see the immense fresh lush green trees, plants and wide variety of fauna extensive vegetations and ecosystem live. The stay at lake Quinault lodge was comfortable, an authentic lodge facing prestine lake Quinault, calm and peaceful.

Ruby Beach - Sunset



We drove to Ruby Beach during sunset and there it was diminishing sun, cool breeze, whispering waters at shore, here and there standing proud rocks enjoying as water splashed at them now and then and sun set spread exotic mix of colourful rays which was worth to just stare and stare and we stood there admiring the beauty of nature at its best.

Hoh Rainforest







We continued our trip next day to Hoh Rainforest populated with different variety of trees and unique compared to Quinault Rain forest in vegetation, water stream in trails and greenery just lead us effortlessly in to forest.

Lake Crescent - Sunset



We reached lake Crescent that evening, a huge deep lake and water has bright blue color, mountain view with water between gives a spectacular view especially during sun set.

Mountains view at Hurricane Ridge



The last stop was Port Angeles the Hurricane Ridge, wild flowers everywhere and lots of trails which gives specatacular views of mountains in the area, got to see the Cascades ranges too. The drive to Hurricane ridge itself was very scenic and as we descended higher it was getting more and more beautiful.

Thus comes an end to the exhilarating journey of Pacific North West, biding adieu to the mountains, wild flowers, unique trees and fresh air. As we roamed thorughout this area in one place or the other we could always spot the bold and beautiful Mt Raineir as she stood there high and proud gaurding the entire region. Truly a must trip to make if you like outdoors, trekking and nature lover.