WELCOME

HOSTED BY

olympic-national.com

2619 Mora Road

Forks, WA 98331

Welcome to Our Home!

We are delighted to have you as our guest at our home and put together this guide to help you with tips and information to make your stay comfortable and memorable. Please enjoy your stay!

The home has central air conditioning and heat for your comfort. If you have difficulty adjusting the thermostat to your desired range, press and hold the MENU button for several seconds to see if that gives you more control over the temperature.

Bedrooms have blackout shades for those who sleep during the day, lol. The fireplace is available from November to April, and wood can be found behind the outbuilding. Please clean up the fire pit area after use.

If you decide to use the fire pit, please check Olympic National Park’s website to determine if burn bans or restrictions are in effect. Use wood-splitting tools at your own risk.

The property is 660 feet wide and 30+ acres and it’s western property boundary is contiguous to Olympic National Park from Mora Road to the river.

The TV selection includes YouTubeTV for local channels, sports, and shows; YouTube for content; Netflix for movies.

Check out our new direct booking website at www.Olympic-National.com.

Also, check the Forks Chamber of Commerce website at ForksWA.com for the latest information about restaurants, trails, and recreation. Have fun!

Regards,

Jim Reeves Host, (206) 669-2838

Jacqueline Tatham Co-Host

Laura Hine Co-Host

Table of Contents

About the Home

• To open the front door enter your code and press the * button once
• To lock the door from the outside press the * button twice
• To lock the door from the inside press the LOCK button

• Verizon is the dominant wireless carrier on the Peninsula and coverage is good around the house and excellent around the pasture and river, you can stream movies. Since the home has a metal roof, reception might be better near a window
• WiFi coverage in the house is excellent and high-speed Internet allows you to stream content
• The water is filtered
• Firewood can be found behind the out-building and a water container is available to drown your fires after you are finished with them
• Walk across the front lawn to the right hand corner of the field, a hidden entrance to the forest can be found
• The pullout sofa bed is electrically inflated and the linens are in the master walk-in closet
• Add the leaf found in the dining room closet to extend the dining room table to 9 feet. The iron and ironing board are also there
• We let the lawn grow a little during periods of flowering because it is pretty
• We let the lawn grow naturally and do not treat it with herbicides, insecticides or fertilizers because the elk, deer, and rabbits use it for food
• The hair dryer is in the red cabinet in the large bathroom

Emergency Phone Numbers

Checking Out

• Load the dishwasher and run it before departure
• Remove trash, the blue dumpster is located to the right of the outbuilding
• If you have time to load towels and start the wash, housekeeping will greatly appreciate the head start
• If you left things in the yard or around the fire pit don’t forget to clear them.
• If you removed items from the home, please return them (chairs, tables, BBQ, etc.) to their original locations
• Turn off the lights and lock all doors and windows
• Be sure to collect all of your belongings, and check common places where belongings are left: dryer, bedroom closet/drawers, bathroom, fire pit, deck
• Provide the Host with any suggestions or corrective action you would like to communicate
• Please inform the Host of any damage
• Drive safely! See return options in this guide

Planning Your Return Trip

Check out the WDOT app, it has the latest information, ferry schedules and road conditions.

There are two ways to get back to Seattle and SEA airport, one involves a ferry on Puget Sound and the other is a drive around Puget Sound. Generally speaking, and in terms of distance, the route around Puget Sound is twice as far. Here are some tips for taking the ferry:

SEATAC via the Kingston Ferry (toll)

Heading north out of Forks on Highway 101, the Kingston Ferry Terminal is 126 miles or 2:40 hours from the home. Crossing at Kingston puts you into Edmonds after a 30 minute scenic ferry ride and from there the airport is 31 miles south on I-5.

SEATAC via the Bainbridge Island Ferry (toll)

Heading north out of Forks on Highway 101, the terminal is 146 miles or 3:40 hours from the home, putting you in downtown Seattle after a 35 minute ferry. It drops you off in the thick of the downtown Seattle waterfront, a great place to visit if you are not racing to the airport, which is 14 miles away.

SEATAC via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (toll)

Heading north out of Forks on Highway 101, through Bremerton the bridge (otherwise known as Galloping Gurdy) is about 3:05 hours from the home. This route completely bypasses ferries but is longer. Total drive time is 3:30 hours or 191 miles to SEATAC.

SEATAC via No Bridge or Ferry (no toll)

Heading south out of Forks on Highway 101, This route goes through Aberdeen and takes 3:50 hours and 211 miles to get to SEATAC. This is a scenic route that takes you south along the Pacific before cutting inland to I-5. South of Forks there are few services and limited cell phone coverage.

Plan your ferry crossing to avoid crowds and long lines. Early morning or late night tend to be better and during the summer the weekends are very crowded. If you have the time or want more certainty about your travel time, take the Tacoma Narrows or Aberdeen routes to avoid ferry delays.

Convenient Phone Numbers

Local Restaurant Reviews

There is plenty of information online about nearby restaurants so check for current operating hours and reviews. Here is quick feedback based on hearsay for establishments that have stood the test of time:

• • Three Rivers Restaurant (2 miles)

This is a favorite for casual fast food and fried fare plus there is a small store there. It can be busy on the weekends, but it’s a good bet if you want to grab a burger and fries

• • Rivers Edge Restaurant (8 miles)

The closest thing to “upscale” in the area unless you want to drive. Located at La Push, it has a great ambiance and view of the Pacific; however, the food can be good at times. This is the second closest restaurant to our home. Check to see if it is open

• • Pacific Pizza (11 miles)

Pizza, pasta and salad bar. This family place is a vacation favorite, good seating and tends to be crowded and some say it is pricey. Check out the House Special pizza and they have various casseroles (lasagna, ziti)

• • Blakelees Bar and Grill (11 miles)

The only bar in town as far as I know. Plenty of seating, sometimes live entertainment, pool tables, darts, typical tavern atmosphere. No kids after 3pm

• • The In Place (11 miles)

Sit-down restaurant good for breakfast. A family place to go. Can be busy and slow during crowded weekends. The food is OK

• • Subway (11 miles)

Inside the convenience store at the 76 gas station on the north end of Forks. This is the only convenience store in town open 24 hours

• • Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant (11 miles)

Not sure why local teens don’t go here. Typical Chinese fare popular with tourists

• • Thriftway (11 miles)

There are a variety of fast food options here including deli, coffee shop and grocery

House Rules

• No hunting, trapping or discharge of firearms, bows, air guns or weapons The Park Rangers really don’t like it and neither do the animals. I don’t want the elk and deer to fear my property plus I don’t like it either.
• Our lawn is food for the elk, deer, and other animals that live in this ecosystem so we don’t use fertilizers, herbicides, or other harmful chemicals on the lawn and on other vegetation. Please do not leave such substances on the property.
• No Smoking in the house or on the deck
• No fireworks
• No pets
• Observe and obey all burn bans. Follow the guidance issued by Olympic National Park at Mora Ranger Station
• Do not use the fireplace during the Summer and Fall months (June – October)
• When allowed, fires can only be made in the steel fire pit
• No cutting of timber and no removal of trees, plants and wood from the property
• Camping and special events must be arranged in advance
• Please observe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules when fishing. No fishing license is needed if you fish in ONP downstream from the property
• This property may not be used for commercial purposes
• Olympic National Park is our next-door neighbor, please respect the Park

Inventory

Info for You

• Be careful when walking in the forest during twilight as you can become disoriented and lost quickly
• Avoid entering the forest during windy days as falling branches, even small ones, can be hazardous
• Parents should consider the cable TV channel selection
• When the sunset touches the highest tree tips around the home, it is time to run down to Rialto Beach to see the sunset
• Chanterelles can be found north of the Fish Hook Tree in the Fall, do not eat these mushrooms unless you are an expert
• The Coho salmon start their migration in August and it builds through October. See the fish swim through the shallows along the property river front, you must have a good eye to separate the fish from riffles
• A family of bald eagles make their home nearby and their favorite fishing spot is on the far side of the river overlooking the salmon hole. If you have good eyes you can see them from the deck or kitchen window
• Herds of elk often graze in the pasture and are comfortable being observed from the deck
• To see a nurse log, one exists in the small group of trees to the right as you look off the deck…only roots remain where the nurse log once existed
• No fishing license is required to fish in Olympic National Park; however, if you fish for salmon or steelhead you need to get a free catch record (get at Thriftway) before you fish
• A Washington fishing license is required to fish off of the property and a catch record is needed if you target salmon or steelhead, get them at Thriftway before you fish
• Special regulations apply to the Quillayute River and there may be days when the river is closed. Check the regulations
• At times, the local native tribe can be seen gill netting salmon and steelhead on the river. Some, but not all, may be open to selling their catch to you if you ask nicely

Map of the River Front

• You can drive to the river front if you have car with high clearance, otherwise, a foot trail from the house to the river is an option. The gravel bar is shared with Olympic National Park.
• If you watch closely, you can see salmon make their way up the riffles and they are especially visible at the lower sections of the riffle where the water is shallow. Coho will gather up a the bottom of the riffle and form a school before going up the shallows. King salmon and steelhead tend to travel alone.
• Looking directly upstream you will see Mt. Olympus in the distance. Going downstream to the end of the gravel bar is a great place to watch sunsets.

Sweet Spots

When Fish May be in the River

Fishing at the River Front

• The Quillayute River System is famous for its healthy native steelhead population, considered the best in the contiguous US. Rivers comprising the System include the Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah, and Dickey Rivers. Three of these rivers converge upstream and all of the steelhead and salmon destined for these legendary rivers must pass by the riverfront.
• For me, the Coho season is the best. The fish can be abundant and if you time it right, the runs will have you hooked. Check the regulations for the latest rules. You will need to wade, and mornings and evenings are best as the wind dies down.
• Fishing is also available at Rialto Beach. Decent-sized surf perch are abundant. Check YouTube for a video on how to catch these fish.

Fishing Tips

Salmon and Steelhead

Fishing Gear

• The size of the fish you will catch ranges from 5 to 30+ pounds with the average size at around 10 to 15 pounds. As the season progresses from July to November, the average size gets bigger.
• Use a spinning rod with 10 to 15 pound test line, a snap swivel, and a spinner with a single barbless hook, that’s all. Popular among locals are Vibrax brand, and in some cases locals feel like adding a pink plastic squid skirt to the spinner makes a difference.
• Make long casts anywhere along the gravel bar and retrieve slowly, avoiding bumping on the bottom.
• For a more ultra-light experience, use 10 pound braid line with a 7 foot, 10 pound monofilament leader on a medium action rod and a reel with a smooth drag.
• Consider releasing all native fish you catch.

Sweet Spots

These are the places we have discovered over the years we have been here. This guide is a more in-depth version of our Explore page, with some added insider spots. They include areas on the property as well as nearby spots:

Fishing on the River Front Salmon and steelhead fishing during the summer and fall can be excellent. You can drive onto the gravel bar at Quillayute River Park by taking the River Park Road just down Mora Road or walk to the river from the house. Fishing at the river front and downstream into Olympic National Park is the best stretch of river in the area.

Dusk and Dawn Rialto Beach

This is one of our favorites. Dash down to the beach to drink your morning coffee or catch a sunset. We enjoy collecting perfectly round and flat stones. A walk north along Rialto Beach is a great short trip.

Visit Ruins of a Magician

Alexander the Magnificent built a mansion at Rialto Beach, but many beachgoers don’t know it’s there. Look for the stone foundation and ruins on the hill as you enter the parking lot. Apparently, the magician was a ladies man and a local family burned it down, who knows. (More info on the last page)

If you want to stay close to home but explore Mora Road, try some of these close and handy adventures between our property and Rialto Beach

Visit the Ranger Station

The Park Rangers are helpful and friendly and the Ranger Station is a mile down Mora Road or you walk there as the Slough Trailhead starts only 50 feet off the property on Mora Road and goes to the Ranger Station. Near the Station you can find the trailheads for hikes around the area and James Pond. Pick up your tide tables at the information center.

Looking for something to do without leaving the property? check out our trails and natural surroundings

Hobuck Beach

This is less than 2 hours away near the Makah Reservation and this Pacific beach is worth the drive. You can visit the nearby federal Makah National Fish Hatchery for a picnic or enjoy the expansive flat beach and estuary for bird and whale watching. The Tribe charges a $20 honor system recreation fee for the beach but not the hatchery

Visit the Fish Hook Tree

Take the trail starting across the front yard entering into the forest from the right hand corner to the Fish Hook tree. Other trails branch off the main Fish Hook trail. Sit on a stump and listen to the sounds of the forest. Elk and deer frequent the property.

After a grocery trip to Thriftway or on your way to the Hoh Rainforest, here a couple of sights that we enjoy visiting

Visit the University of Washington

Across from the Forks airport is a turnoff that takes you up the hill to the University of Washington Olympic Natural Resources Center. Park in the parking lot and walk across the road. There will be trailhead maps showing trails in the area.

See the Duncan Memorial Cedar

The worlds largest western Red Cedar (1000 years old) is located near the Nolan Creek bridge about 20 miles south of Forks on road N1000 between mileposts 170 and 171 with signage to the tree 4.1 miles east of State Route 101. This is worth a detour on your way to the Hoh Rainforest. Ed Duncan passed away the summer of 2021

Go Swimming

We like a swimming hole on the Calawah River. Turn east and go 9 miles on Forest Service Road 3444 just a few hundred yards north of the intersection of Highway 101 and La Push Road. It is a curvy road that parallels the river. The turnoff is on a sharp corner to the right.

Sunset at River

You don’t need to go to Rialto Beach to see a sunset. The gravel bar hosts some great sunsets, especially at the downstream end of the bar.

Alexander The Man Who Knows