| Olympic Wilderness sits at 876,669 acres and is Washington's largest Wilderness area. Olympic is also one of the most diverse wilderness areas in the U.S. The heart of the Olympic Wilderness is made up of the rugged Olympic Mountains and some of the most pristine forests left south of the 49th Parallel. The Temperate Rainforest valleys of the west and south flanks of the mountains receive 140 to 180 inches of precipitation annually with Mt. Olympus (7,980 feet), the highest peak in the Olympic Mountains receiving around 250 inches and over 100 feet of snow. Mt. Olympus has the third largest glacial system in the conterminous U.S. next to Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker also in Washington State. The Olympic Wilderness also contains 48 miles of wilderness coast with its beaches, rugged headlands, tide pools, seastacks and coastal rainforests. Overuse threatens the wild character of some areas of the park. Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all overnight hikes and reservations are required for some areas. Contact the park's Olympic is one of the most popular wilderness destinations in North America, with over 60,000 overnight wilderness visitors in 2003. Think about the reasons why you have come to Olympic. Spectacular views, temperate rainforest, wildlife, solitude, challenge, quiet, and escape are all reasons people visit Olympic. Think about how you can protect the wild character of the Olympic Wilderness before and during your trip. |
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