Landmarks in Olympic Peninsula

The seven landmarks designated as the "Seven Wonders" are Hood Canal, Protection Island, Dungeness Spit, Mt. Olympus, Tatoosh Island, the Olympic rain forests and Grays Harbor. HOOD CANAL - Olympic & Kitsap Peninsula's Hood CanalHood Canal is nature's waterway that joins the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas. Over 600 feet deep in places, it is a large producer of salmon, oysters, clams, shrimp and geoducks. Best views are near the Hood Canal floating bridge, which crosses Hood Canal near Port Ludlow. PROTECTION ISLAND Protection Island, at the entrance to Discovery Bay and just off the beach from Port Townsend, is a national marine sanctuary and home to endangered species of waterfowl and mammals. The island is home to tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, eagles and seals. Best views are from beaches north of Port Townsend. DUNGENESS SPIT - North of SequimThe Dungeness Spit north of Sequim is the longest natural sand spit in the United States. Over 6 miles long, it grows 30 feet a year in length. Over 200 species of birds visit the spit. Dungeness, which means "Sandy Cape" protects the Bay, which is the natural habitat of Dungeness crabs.

MOUNT OLYMPUS- Home of the GodsMt. Olympus, "home of the gods," is the highest peak (7965 ft.) in the Olympic mountain range. Best views are from Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park south of Port Angeles. The mountain's tallest peaks are named for Greek, Roman and Norse gods, such as Athena, Mercury and Thor. It is also home of a native American god, Thunderbird. TATOOSH ISLAND - Entrance to Strait of Juan de FucaTatoosh Island, at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, was a sacred fishing ground for native Americans. It is off the coast of the most northwestern point of the contiguous USA. Best views are from cliffs west of Neah Bay, the Makah Indians' fishing village. OLYMPIC RAIN FORESTS - Hoh, Queets and QuinaultThe Olympic Rain Forests -- the Hoh, the Quinault and the Queets -- are the only temperate rain forests in the USA. Best views are at the Hoh Ranger Station in Olympic National Park and around Lake Quinault. The rain forests are cathedrals of giant trees and hanging mosses where elk and deer live. GRAYS HARBORGrays Harbor is the largest and deepest natural harbor on the west coast of the United States. Bowerman Basin Refuge in the harbor is a national wildlife preserve and major flyway for the west coast's migrating birds. Best views are along shores of Hoquiam, Ocean Shores and Westport.

See Also:

Olympic Peninsula

Map

Things to do

Landmarks

History

Useful Info

Weather

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Write by: AN - Wednesday, February 8, 2012