We got everything packed up and we’re off for the Olympics. This is the only stop where I don’t know where we are staying. I’d like to try something primitive – back in the middle of nowhere. It’s going to make “sight seeing” a pain – but I think we’re ready for the adventure. Looking at the maps – I think we’ll make our way to Upper Clearwater Campground in state lands to the west of Olympic National Park. I think I’ll stop at the Quinault Ranger Station for some advice.
On our way out I tried to get Wi-Fi at the nearby rest area – but I couldn’t get a signal. So, we continued on. I tried again at a Starbucks – but they wanted $8 for a day pass. Ug. I’m not interested in that. So, onward we went. (I did eventually find access in Forks – but you already know that.) We missed the Quinault Ranger Station by about 25 minutes. They closed at 4:30. So, we pressed on – it was getting late, and it was raining on and off – so there wasn’t time to dawdle. I decided to head for the Upper Clearwater campground. So, we drove, and drove, and I started to get really concerned that the turning for the campground wasn’t marked off the road. We finally found one little sign (Campground 1.3 miles) – it wasn’t Upper Clearwater, but it was something. So we took it. What we found was Coppermine Bottom Campground – no electric, no water, pit toilets, no people, perfect
You know you’re in the rainforest when the signs start growing plants….
I was delighted to find only two other sites occupied. Not many were large enough to accommodate even a pop-up, but we found a very nice one under a grove of old growth trees. Backing in was impossible due to the way the drive angled off the road. So, I went in the wrong way, and backed in quite easily. It was cold, dripping, and getting dark. So, we got everything up in a hurry, and settled on soup for dinner. We could hear a river nearby, but otherwise all was silence.
On our way out I tried to get Wi-Fi at the nearby rest area – but I couldn’t get a signal. So, we continued on. I tried again at a Starbucks – but they wanted $8 for a day pass. Ug. I’m not interested in that. So, onward we went. (I did eventually find access in Forks – but you already know that.) We missed the Quinault Ranger Station by about 25 minutes. They closed at 4:30. So, we pressed on – it was getting late, and it was raining on and off – so there wasn’t time to dawdle. I decided to head for the Upper Clearwater campground. So, we drove, and drove, and I started to get really concerned that the turning for the campground wasn’t marked off the road. We finally found one little sign (Campground 1.3 miles) – it wasn’t Upper Clearwater, but it was something. So we took it. What we found was Coppermine Bottom Campground – no electric, no water, pit toilets, no people, perfect
You know you’re in the rainforest when the signs start growing plants….
I was delighted to find only two other sites occupied. Not many were large enough to accommodate even a pop-up, but we found a very nice one under a grove of old growth trees. Backing in was impossible due to the way the drive angled off the road. So, I went in the wrong way, and backed in quite easily. It was cold, dripping, and getting dark. So, we got everything up in a hurry, and settled on soup for dinner. We could hear a river nearby, but otherwise all was silence.
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