The Olympic Peninsula - Washington State - page 234

WA 98232 ( & 360/757-4212; www.delillama.com), also does trips of from 4
to 7 days in Olympic National Park ($135-$175 per person per day).
MOUNTAINEERING & ROCK CLIMBING More adventurous tours
ranging in length from half a day to 5 days are offered by Olympic Moun-
taineering, 140 W. Front St., Port Angeles 98362 ( & 360/452-0240; www.
olymtn.com). This company's most popular tour is its climb to the summit of
Mount Olympus, the highest peak on the Olympic Peninsula. Prices range from
$100 for a half day of rock climbing to $495 for a combination climb to the
summit of Mount Olympus and a day of ice climbing.
SCUBA DIVING The waters off the town of Sekiu are the Olympic Penin-
sula's favorite dive site. For advice, air, and dive charters, divers will want to stop
in at Curley's Resort & Dive Center ( & 800/542-9680 or 360/963-2281; www.
curleysresort.com), on the main road through town.
SEA KAYAKING & CANOEING Sea-kayaking trips on nearby Lake Ald-
well, at Freshwater Bay, and at Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, are offered
by Olympic Raft & Kayak ( & 888/452-1443 or 360/452-1443; www.raftand
kayak.com), which charges between $42 and $99 per person. Sea-kayak rentals
are available at Sound Bikes & Kayaks, 120 E. Front St., Port Angeles ( & 360/
457-1240; www.soundbikeskayaks.com), which charges $12 per hour or $40 per
day. For sea-kayaking trips on the Hoh and Quillayute rivers, out on the west
side of the peninsula, contact Rainforest Paddlers, 4883 Upper Hoh Rd., Forks
( & 866/457-8398 or 360/374-5254; www.rainforestpaddlers.com). Between
June and September, this company does half-day kayak outings on the Hoh River
($44 per person) as well as early morning and sunset paddles on the Quillayute
River estuary ($69 per adult for morning trips and $89 per adult for evening trips).
SKIING/SNOWBOARDING/SNOWSHOEING Cross-country skiing,
downhill skiing and snowboarding, and snowshoeing are all possible in the win-
ter at Hurricane Ridge. Here you'll find a tiny ski area with two rope tows and
a Poma lift for downhill skiing and snowboarding. There are also many miles of
marked, though ungroomed, cross-country ski trails here. For more informa-
tion, contact Hurricane Ridge Public Development Authority ( & 360/457-
4519 or 360/565-3131 for road conditions; www.hurricaneridge.net).
There are also 90-minute ranger-led snowshoe walks here on Fridays, Satur-
days, and Sundays from late December through March (conditions permitting).
Snowshoes are provided, and a $2 donation is requested. Contact the park visi-
tor center for details.
WHALE-WATCHING Puffin Adventures ( & 888/305-2437; www.puffin
adventures.com) offers whale-watching and wildlife cruises for $50 per person.
WHITE-WATER RAFTING The steep mountains and plentiful rains of the
Olympic Peninsula are the source of some great white-water rafting on the
Elwha and Hoh rivers. Contact Olympic Raft & Kayak ( & 888/452-1443 or
360/452-1443; www.raftandkayak.com). Rates start at $49 for a 2- to 2 1 ⁄ 2 -hour
rafting trip.
EXPLORING AROUND PORT ANGELES
If you're curious about the general history of this area, you may want to check
out exhibits presented by Clallam County Historical Society, Federal Building,
138 W. First St. ( & 360/452-2662 ). It's open Monday through Friday from
8:30am to 4pm and admission is free.