The destination for the day was Hurricane Ridge; the map I had showed two roads up, one leaving from near the Elwha River, just west of Port Angeles. So I took that road. Hurricane Ridge is located within Olympic National Park.
There are two dams on the Elwha River. They were built (in the 1920s, I think) to supply electricity to a paper mill in Port Angeles. Congress has agreed to destroying the dams to restore the salmon run on this river.
Preparations to remove the dams started in February 2008 with works to catch sediment which will flow out once the dams are breached. It was completed in April 2010. The dam removal began on September 2011. Details from the National Parks web site.
Just before reaching the Ranger Station, a nice quiet part of the river. An idyllic scene, indeed. This area is between the two dams.
This is from the same location, just looking downstream. The fisherman seemed to be having a very enjoyable time, but then who wouldn't, on a perfect late summer day.
This is the upper of the two dams, which forms Lake Mills. The following scenes were all shot at the boat ramp provided for the use of Olympic National Park visitors.
An ideal place for a picnic. Even if it is actually on the boat ramp.
The lake is a reasonable size.
Enjoyable as the ride was, this road did not seem to be heading to Hurricane Ridge. The road itself was in poor condition, which surprised me as the map showed a ski area at the top! Before long, the road came to a stop; from there, it was hiking only. Not being equipped for such activity, it was time to turn around.
I stopped at the Ranger Station on the way out; it was closed, but a ranger came over to talk motorcycles (he is thinking of buying a BMW!) and so we had a pleasant chat, during which he gave me the directions to find the road to Hurricane Ridge.
Ferry Trip To Kingston