u/sleepybobeepy22

Only have one day in the park and had planned this months ago with the perfect itinerary, but the October bridge closure has foiled my plans.

I have two options in my mind, but could use some insight on feasibility and what’s the best choice. This day is on a Saturday- assuming it plays a factor in crowds and traffic.

Option A: keep lodging near Lake Quinault, drive up the southern route from Sea-Tac (on road by 9:30am), do Quinault rainforest walks, drive out to Ruby beach for sunset

Option B: take longer drive via north entrance from Sea-Tac to Hoh, do the short hall of mosses loop. Move lodging to Brinnon or Shelton and make drive that way (as I would suspect I wouldn’t get to Hoh until 2pm possibly).

Remainder of trip is driving and staying on Oregon and California coasts, so missing an Olympic beach doesn’t feel like the worst thing.

My heart longed to see Hoh and I love the idea of driving through the northern side of the park, but I recognize it would be a ton of driving and trying to fit in a lot with little time. Only staying in the Quinault region feels like I’m missing the parts of Olympic that people go to, for a reason.

So, talk to me here. Am I undervaluing Quinault and the experience I would have there, or is the drive from the north entrance and Hoh not worth missing if you only have a short day?

WTB a Gregory Plus or Osprey extended fit 44-65L pack for bigger bodies/hip belts and to fit 19.5” inch torso (men’s sm/md or women’s Md/Lg), such as:

Gregory Stout 45 Plus
Osprey Eja 58 EF
Osprey Exos 58 EF
Gregory Jade 63 Plus
Gregory Zulu 65 plus
Osprey Aether 65 EF
Osprey Renn 65 EF
Osprey Rook 65 EF
Osprey Ariel 65 EF

I understand there are people who love traditional camping where you drive to a campsite with tent and gear and picnic tables, fire pits, etc. There are also people who love backpacking, even if just one or two nights and a short hike out. Several people like both types equally, Then there are people who hate it all haha.

I’ve heard the arguments for why people who have done both forms of camping prefer backpacking over campground (usually they prefer dispersed/solitude places, closer to nature, etc). I’d like to get the opinions from people who have done both but highly prefer drive up campsite camping over backpacking. What things do you dislike about backpacking and what are your top positives about campsites camping?

Just got back from a 2500+ mile trip over six days. I had packed a cooler with sandwich ingredients with the intention of avoiding fast food, and saving on stop times and costs. I packed my sandwich bread (brand new) in a gear tote along with paper plates/cutlery/chips. By day 2, the bread reeked and had spoiled/molded.

Any tips on how to avoid this? Afraid to keep it in the cooler with the ice as it gets dry and crusty.