Sailboats in Ludlow Bay.
Dosewallips River at Brinnon.
Small-town treasures Along the Hood Canal and up around the Quimper Peninsula lie several towns that offer small-town friendliness and a taste of history along with a variety of activities. Quilcene & Brinnon Nestled like two jewels between the calm waters of the Hood Canal and Olympic National Forest are Quilcene and Brinnon. The two towns are known for having some of the best oyster-gathering areas. Camping, boating, scuba diving, birding, biking, hiking and fishing opportunities are endless. Many hiking trails wind through areas of Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park. Quilcene Ranger Station on U.S. Highway 101 has maps and trail information. Mount Walker, the easternmost summit of the Olympic Mountains, offers one of the most fantastic views of Puget Sound. Mount Walker Viewpoint Road is five miles south of Quilcene on Walker Pass. While a lot of the water on the North Olympic Peninsula is too chilly for swimming, Quilcene Bay on Hood Canal is shallow enough that in the summer, the water warms sufficiently and provides enjoyable swimming. Interestingly, Hood Canal is a natural fjord, not a man-made canal. A public beach is located at the end of Linger Longer Road, just past Quilcene off Highway 101. For a lesson in history, visit the Quilcene Historical Museum, 151 E. Columbia St. There are photos, historic artifacts and other educational displays highlighting the area’s logging and pioneer past. The museum is open April through
September or by appointment in winter. Learn about salmon at the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery, which celebrates its centennial this year. The hatchery is located two miles south of Quilcene on U.S. Highway 101. Brinnon lies south of Quilcene near the Duckabush and Dosewallips rivers. Harbor seals can often be seen near Seal Rock, two miles north of town. Dosewallips State Park off Highway 101 has a wildlife viewing platform plus fresh water and salt water activities. The Whitney Gardens in Brinnon feature more than 70 species and 300 hybrid varieties of the rhododendron, the state flower. The gardens are located adjacent to the Dosewallips River off Highway 101. The Brinnon ShrimpFest is a weekend festival celebrating Hood Canal sport shrimp and other local seafood, held Memorial Day weekend. Tri-Area The crossroads of Port Hadlock, Chimacum and Irondale comprise the Tri-Area of Jefferson County. They are the gateway to scenic Marrowstone Island, accessible via state Highway 116. East of Marrowstone is Naval Magazine Indian Island, a Navy ammunition station. An excellent view of Indian Island can be found in Port Hadlock. Port Hadlock is also home to the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, famous for its maritime crafts and classes.
To the south, Chimacum is known for its dairy farms spreading across Chimacum Valley. H.J. Carroll Park, located off state Highway 19 in Chimacum, is a county park with a playground, BMX track, disc golf course and other amenities. Also off Highway 19, Egg and I Road is named after Betty MacDonald’s 1945 memoir, The Egg and I, that spawned a film of the same title and the “Ma and Pa Kettle” films. The farm that was the subject of her tales was located on the road. Port Ludlow Port Ludlow is a scenic community built up around the shores of Ludlow Bay. The natural environment and developed facilities offer hikes on wooded trails and paths, digs for clams and oysters along the beach, drives through scenic countryside, bicycling and jogging. Ludlow Falls is a beautiful two-tier waterfall and active salmon stream in Port Ludlow. The trailhead is off Breaker Lane. The short trail is privately owned and maintained, primarily for residents, their guests and Resort at Port Ludlow guests, but the public has been granted access, provided trail rules are observed (no smoking, dogs on leash and cellphones off). For water lovers, there are boat launches for sailing, power boating, fishing, windsurfing and kayaking. n
Fall 2011 | Winter 2012 v NEWCOMERS’ AND VISITORS’ GUIDE 15