Taste the Peninsula - Lake Crescent Lodge

Taste the Peninsula - Lake Crescent Lodge

As we travel the world, we are drawn time and time again to our own back yard.  That might sound a little mundane, but please remember that our back yard is the Olympic National Park!  There truly isn’t a more picturesque setting for leading an artful voyage through life.  

We moved to the Olympic Peninsula on Labor Day Weekend in 1991. We moved with an 11 day old baby (Justin) and a 2 1/2 year old toddler (Josh). As we took the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, we were overwhelmed by the pristine beauty that was to be our new home. That was 22 years ago and we continue to feel like we are living in the most beautiful place on earth. So, whether you live on the Peninsula and are interested in a Staycation or you live somewhere else, this blog and subsequent ones will open the doors to you to the Olympic Peninsula.

Olympic National Park

First off, let’s not forget that the Olympic National Park is the premier tourist destination on the Peninsula. The National Park is over 922,651 acres of natural beauty and preserved wilderness. The backpacking opportunities are spectacular. We will dedicate several blogs to great outdoor adventures. For now, we will take a look at the places that are quite a bit less rugged.

Lake Crescent Lodge

The historic Lake Crescent Lodge was built in 1916. It hugs the shore of the exquisite Lake Crescent. There are several room options at the lodge. They have beautiful fireplace cabins called the Roosevelt Cabins. All of these Cabins are situated on the lake and come available as one bedroom or two bedroom. Our favorite happens to be the Singer Tavern Cabins. There are 10 single room cabins which are set overlooking the lake or with mountain views.. Each of the cabins has a lovely porch complete with adirondack chairs for comfy relaxation. They also have 3 two bedroom cabins as well that can accomodate families.

While staying at the Lodge, you have so many activities available to you.  These range in physical activity levels from sedate to vigorous.  One of the loveliest views of the lake can be seen from the screened in porch of the lodge.  This is accessible year round.  It is a delight to relax on the porch enjoying an enticing cocktail or glass of wine.  You can feel your pulse rate and blood pressure lower as you yield to the grandeur of the lake.

The lodge rents canoes, single and tandem kayaks, rowboats, as well as fishing rods.  You can relax in a canoe or you can get that heart rate up with  a kayak.  Lake Crescent is known for it’s unique Beardsley trout.  The lake is ideal for fly fishing as no license is required, just keep in mind that the fishing regulations are catch and release only.  Listen carefully as you will hear the screeching of Bald Eagles who soar over the lake in search of dinner.

The hiking opportunities also vary according to how strenuous of a hike you would like to take.  Marymeer Falls is a mere 3/4 of a mile from the Ranger Station which is close at hand.  Falls Creek boasts a 90 foot drop to a misty pool which then runs into Barnes Creek.  The hike is a mostly flat walk until you near the falls, then it becomes fairly steep at the end.  It is truly worth the little bit of huffing and puffing you will do to view the falls.  You will be amazed by the old growth canopy of trees, the fern and the hanging moss.  Keep your eyes peeled for the blacktailed deer as they frequent this trail.

The Storm King trailhead takes off from the Marymere Falls trail.  This is a much more vigorous hike.  After a 1.5 mile hike which gains 2000 feet in elevation, you will be thrilled by a ledge that drops off precipitously!  You won’t believe the stunning vista you will have of Lake Crescent and Pyramid Mountain.  There is a second viewpoint in another half mile and another 400 feet of elevation gain.  You won’t see the lake, but you will view the Barnes Creek valley. 

If you do this hike, let us suggest that you pack a lunch, plenty of water and be certain to get a 2 litre satchel of Camaraderie Cellars Storm King Red Wine.  We will be taking you to the Camaraderie Cellars Tasting Room in an upcoming blog.  Just be certain to bring this amazing wine for your hike - you will be thanking us over and over again.

Another delightful hike which is very near to Lake Crescent Lodge is the Spruce Railroad Trail. This trail allows for walking, running, as well as mountain biking.  The trail runs along side the lake and again offers beautiful moss-draped trees which include maple, fir, hemlocks and our favorite, the madrona.  This was once a 36 mile rail line which was built in World War I to haul Sitka Spruce to be milled in Port Angeles and then used in airplane manufacturing.  The National Park Service converted 4 miles of this rail line into a pleasant, mostly level trail.

After all of this activity, you will have a hearty appetite.  The restaurant at Lake Crescent Lodge is waiting to sate your taste buds.  The restaurant offers Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the Dining room as well as an all day Lounge menu.  The dining room is open from early May to January 1 and boasts local fare including cedar planked wild salmon.  You will be treated to a lovely wine list which touts local wineries such as Camaraderie, Harbinger, and Olympic Cellars in addition to other Washington wines.  You will want to try the Lake Crescent White by Camaraderie Cellars.  

The dining room has an incredible view of the lake as well as Pyramid Peak.  You can watch people playing on the lake as they ski, boat, canoe, and swim.  If you are there in the evening, you will be delighted by the rich hues as the sun sets.  The atmosphere changes with each season.  There are intense fall colors in Autumn, fog and mist over the lake in the Winter, delicate buds on the deciduous trees in the Spring and the deep abundant evergreen color year round.

Special Events The lodge will be open until January 1, 2014.  They will be closed until May of 2014.  The Lodge is offering a Thanksgiving Brunch from 10 am to 4 pm.  They will host a Frankling & Theodore's Teddy Bear Tea each Saturday from November 30 to December 28.  In Addition, they will have Sundays with Santa  from December 1-29.  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will bring a Charles Dickens Themed Christmas  Buffet. You can also enjoy a New Year's Eve Gala complete with dinner, appetizers, drinks, and dancing to a live Band.  They will end 2013 with a New Year's Day brunch!  You can find more information at: http://www.olympicnationalparks.com/75anniversary.aspx.  Contact the lodge to make reservations!

For our musical pairing this week, please enjoy Chip Davis and the Manheim Steamroller.  This is from Fresh Aire I and is entitled:  Interlude I.  Close your eyes and listen to the rain on the lake!

Next blog:  Lake Quinault Lodge