Influenced
by mountains and sea, Olympic
National Park has a wide range of climate
conditions. About twelve feet of rain falls each year on the
west-facing valleys, sustaining the temperate rain forest. The east
side of the mountains lie in a "rain shadow", with only 25 inches of
annual rainfall and much dryer conditions.
In Olympic National Park you will find Pacific Ocean beaches, rain
forest valleys,
glacier-capped peaks and a stunning variety of plants and animals.
Roads provide access to the outer edges of the park, but the heart of
Olympic is wilderness; a primeval sanctuary for humans and wild
creatures alike.
INTERESTING DATA
Did
You Know?
Did you know that in 1988, Congress designated
95% of Olympic National Park as Wilderness. The Olympic Wilderness is a
part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Did
You Know?
That Mount Olympus receives over 200 inches of
precipitation each year and most of that falls as snow? At 7,980 feet,
Mount Olympus is the highest peak in Olympic National Park and has the
third largest glacial system in the contiguous U.S.
Did You Know?
Although related to other marmots and
groundhogs of North America, the Olympic marmot is unique. An endemic
species, it is found only in the Olympic Mountains. Visitors to the
high country of Olympic National Park may be lucky enough to encounter
a marmot sunning itself near its burrow.
Did You Know?
Olympic National Park protects the largest
unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk in the world. Olympic was almost named
"Elk National Park" and was established in part to protect these
stately animals.
Did You Know?
Olympic National Park protects 73 miles of
wild Pacific coast. Tidepools, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs can all
be found here.
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INTERESTING 