The Olympic Peninsula's West End
A unique, still wilderness environment created by the
motion of the earth's great plates and sustained by Pacific moisture. Warm,
moist air flowing onshore is first rapidly cooled as it rises up the sharp
western slopes of the Olympic Range, and returned to earth as rain. Annual
rainfall in the Hoh, Quinault, and Queets rainforests averages 150 inches.
Surrounded on three sides by water, the peninsula has stood isolated for
millennia and offers a glimpse of the natural world essentially unaltered
since the end of the last Ice Age some 12,000 years ago.
With some abridgement, what follows was taken from a flyer created by the
Forks COC (1-800 44-FORKS)
WHAT TO DO ON THE WEST END
and
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
With nearly 60 miles of wilderness coastline , world-class fishing rivers,
temperate rainforests, and a host of marine and forest wildlife, the west
side of the Olympic Peninsula is an ideal year-round destination. In the
less-traveled season (November through April) , enjoy the beaches and rainforests
in a setting where you may be the only humans.
Walk on the wild side... whales, storms, and wildlife.
Gray whales migrate north along our coast from February through May.
There are excellent vantage points south of Forks at Beach 1, Kalaloch beach,
as well as Beaches 4 and 6. At La Push, the home of the Quileute Tribe on
the coast just west of Forks, grays and humpbacks frequently lay over for
weeks in the spring, and pods of orcas can be frequently seen feeding in
the surf. First Beach at La Push (not to be confused with Beach 1 south
of Kalaloch) offers ringside seats for a gre
at show. North
of Forks along Highway 112 leading to Neah Bay, many "resident "
grays feed among the shallow reefs. Cape Flattery, at the northwest tip
of the peninsula, is another fine vantage point.
Puffin Charters at Neah Bay (360-963 2480 or 360-490-1063) begins
whale-watching trips in the late spring.
Eagles 
and Elk. Several herds
of Roosevelt Elk wander our prairies and lowlands. The "Dickey herd"
is frequently seen just inside the Olympic National Park on the approach
to Rialto Beach, and another herd is found along the shores of the Hoh River.
Early morning offers the best chance of seeing them. Eagles, rarely seen
elsewhere in the contiguous US, are common to the Peninsula. Look for them
hunting at Second Beach near La Push (there's a nest in a snag above the
beach) and Rialto Beach. As many as 50 eagles can be seen wheeling above
the Strait of Juan de Fuca along Highway 112 near Neah Bay.
River Adventures
World-class rainfall requires drainage equal to the task. Hence, the
west side features numerous wild and scenic rivers including the Hoh, Sol
Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah, and Quillayute. Nearly year-round runs of salmon
and steelhead, along with several species of resident trout, ply these rivers.
The upstream migration of salmon to their spawning beds (optimal times
are from October through early December) can be watched from several vantage
points. The Sol Duc Fish Hatchery, 13 miles north of Forks just west
of the intersection of Highways 101 and 113, has an adult trap where breeding
stock is collected. Look for adult pairs in the creek above the trap. Along
the Sol Duc Hot Springs Road (accessed at the top of the hill on 101 just
west of Lake Crescent), the Salmon Cascades Interpretive Trail offers
an observation deck to view the upstream journey. In addition, along the
Hoko Ozette Road (accessed 2 miles west of Sekiu along Highway 112) salmon
can be seen from the high bridge. Walk downstream for the best vantage point.
Guided River Fishing: Many local fishing guides offer drift boat
trips or bank fishing. Here are a few:
Jerry Schlie Four Seasons Guide Service (360 327-3380)
Bob Pigott Guide Service (360-327-3554)
Don Kinsey (252-631-6739)
Bob Ball (360-374-5362 Sept. 1 through April 31; 907-260-5362 May 1 through
Aug. 31)
J.D. Love Guide Service (360-327-3772)
Larry Scott's West Side Guide Service (360-327 3671)
David Rice Diamond Back Guide Service (360 452-9966)
All of our guides welcome your questions, and never mind a call to check
on river conditions. Fishing Licenses: Can be purchased at Forks
Thriftway (360-374-6161), Pay and Save Shoprite (360-374-6321), Olympic
Sporting Goods (360 374-6330,,and Three Rivers Resort (360-374 5300).
WEST END CALENDAR OF EVENTS
1999
February 20: Art on the Hill. The gala opening of
a year-long exhibition of arts in a variety of media by artists across the
Olympic Peninsula. This event is held at the University of Washington's
Olympic Resource Center, located, as you might imagine, on a hill just south
of Forks. The modest ticket price includes a buffet and wine from several
regional vineyards. If you can't get to the opening, the exhibit can be
visited informally year round. Just drive up to the ORC and ask.
April 16-18: Rainfest. A community-wide celebration of
our most plentiful natural resource and the green paradise it creates in
and around Forks. Arts workshops and demonstrations, live theater, and more!
May 29-31: Turning Point Weekend. Hundreds of sailing craft
race west from Victoria, B.C.on the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Swiftsure
Race. The beach at Slip Point on Clallam Bay is a great vantage point to
see them make the turn back to Victoria. Music and food on the beach complete
the celebration.
July 2-4: Forks Old-Fashioned Fourth of July. We have it
all on this busy weekend, including a parade, demolition derby, arts &
craft show, horseshoe and cribbage tournament, salmon bake, sack races,
frog jump, and a fitting finale of fantastic fireworks. Make your lodging
bookings early.
July 9-11: Clallam Bay & Sekiu Fun Days. A community
festival with scavenger hunt, parade, music, fireworks and (regulations
permitting) a fishing derby.
July 16-18: Quileute Days. Tribal festival at La Push with
canoe races, bone games, native arts and crafts, softball tournament , and
fireworks.
July 16-18: Forks Fly-in. More than 60 vintage, kit, and
traditional aircraft "fly-in" to the Forks Airport for a salmon
bake, music, assorted fly bys, and plane rides.
August 7-8: Fred Orr Memorial Softball Tournament. Fred
was our town Santa and dedicated himself to the community. The tournament
attracts teens from across the state, the Northwest, and British Columbia.
August 27-29: Makah Days. This, the 75th annual celebration,
will be focused on Makah patriotism for the US, with Makah war veterans
taking a "high seat". The three day celebration will feature canoe
races, bone games, kid's races, tribal royalty, salmon bake, traditional
dancing, talent show, and fireworks.
September 11: 3rd Annual Forks Gospel Music Festival. Join
the community in the City Park for inspirational music.
September 11-12: 13th Annual West End Co Ed Softball Invitational
Tournament.
October 1: 65th Annual Harvest Dinner. A longstanding community
tradition, held on the eve of the Forks High School Homecoming football
game. This is the place to be!
October 1-10: Hickory Shirt/Heritage Days.
An event spanning two weekends with a variety of programs highlighting
the heritage of Forks and surrounding communities. Don't miss the Old Timer's
Roundtable for tales from the pioneer past. There will be a Shipwreck Symposium,
Little Logger contest, and a variety of evening programs on local history
and culture. Somewhat less highbrow will be the 4th Annual Fish and Brew
Contest (Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Huckleberry Lodge). Come sample the recipes
of local smokers and brewers. The competition is keen; look discerning and
you may get to be a judge.
November 13: Forks 7th Annual Wine and Cheese Event. An
evening of great fun sponsored by the Forks Chamber of Commerce. The centerpiece
of the evening is a silent auction of arts, woodworking, baked and otherwise
cooked goods, lodging and fishing guide gift certificates, etc. Several
local breweries and wineries will provide refreshments, and there will be
live entertainment ("Cookin' with Katie" a group of talented local
musicians).
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