Natural History

The Experiential Peninsula

What better way to explore the Olympic Peninsula than with a local expert? Immerse yourself with the fun facts, the history, the geology and an insiders' take on what makes the Peninsula unique and special.

Olympic National Forest

Olympic National Forest covers over 633,000 acres and is made up of two ranger districts: the Hood Canal and the Pacific. It offers a wide range of recreation, including hiking, camping, backpacking, picnicking, boating and other outdoor activities. It operates 17 campgrounds that are on a first-come, first-served basis and have varying overnight fees. There are five designated Wilderness Areas. These do no require wilderness permits, but a Northwest Forest Pass is required for all vehicles parked at many ONF trailheads.

ONF Hood Canal District
Quilcene, WA
tel: 360-765-2200

Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway - Hwy 112

One of the nation's newest National Scenic Byways, it follows the shoreline of a glacial fjord that connects Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean, separating the Olympic Peninsula from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This dramatic stretch of coastline with rugged cliffs and forests, reaches farther into the cold waters of the North Pacific than any other mainland point in the lower 48 states. Eagles, otters and gray whales are common sights, depending on the time of year.

Olympic Peninsula Tribal Cultures

Indian tribes have lived on the Olympic Peninsula for thousands of years. Their rich, complex cultures reflect their traditions of hunting, fishing, sea-faring and tribal crafts. The five tribes of the North Olympic Peninsula include the Jamestown S'Klallam, the Hoh, the Lower Elwha Klallam, the Makah and the Quileute.

World's Largest Red Cedar Tree

World Champion Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata)

Section 36, Township 26 North, Range 13 West, W.M.  Jefferson County

19.4 feet in diameter, 178 feet tall, estimated 1000 years old.

 

Port Ludlow Falls Trail

Here is an opportunity for a walk in Port Ludlow if you are visiting and time is limited. A bit of quiet to reflect on things is on hand with a five minute drive from anywhere in the Port Ludlow area.
The Port Ludlow Falls trail is wonderful, protected, short interpretative trail through varied and quite surroundings.  Many signs point to local micro-environments and their plant species on this adventure punctuated by the Ludlow Falls at the halfway mark.   This walk can be the perfect winter afternoon break.
Directions:

Jefferson County Historical Society Research Center

The Research Center serves as both the primary research facility and the repository for the Society's archival collections. Staff and volunteers are on hand to assist researchers.

PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION HOLDINGS

The Jefferson County Historical Society photo collection includes more than 20,000 original images which may be viewed at the JCHS Research Center. Many have been indexed in our searchable online data base.

Monument for Lost Ship

Sv. Nikolai: A monument being constructed by the Generals honors the 22 Russian sailors who were stranded on the Washington coast after their ship, the Sv. Nikolai, went aground north of the Quillayute River mouth in 1808. Several of these sailors were held captive and enslaved by the native tribes while others died over the two-year period they were stranded on the coast.

Read the historial narratives at   http://www.nikolaishipwreck.com/Historical_Narrative.html

History in Jefferson County

 As you and your family stroll the streets of Port Townsend the Jefferson County Historical Society has a number of ways to enjoy the historic tapestry of Port Townsend.  Our central Museum is in the landmark 1892 City Hall building, downtown at 540 Water Street.  From this building the movers, doers, and speculators of early Port Townsend talked and planed their dreams.  Criminals were tossed in the jail downstairs, sometimes in leg-irons, and upstairs the Court and the rest of the powerful watched over the city's affairs.  Today the building still does the work of

Three Sisters Art Gallery in Clallam Bay

This unique gallery showcases local and native art work.  There are many items for sale, from postcards to wood carvings.

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