Much of the moisture has rained out of the clouds by the time they cross the mountains, creating a dry rain shadow on the northeastern side. While the top of Mount Olympus is deluged by 200 inches of precipitation annually, the town of Sequim may get less than 16 inches because it is located on the dry northeastern side of the Olympics. While the large, interior portion of the park is characterized by forests and mountains, the coastal zone is a world apart. Eerie sea stacks, remnants of eroded coastal cliffs that loom out of the water, seem to guard the coastline. From Shi Shi Beach to Kalaloch, more than 50 miles of wilderness beaches off coastal U.S. 101 preserve a remnant of coastal habitat.
Most beaches are accessible only by foot or by boat.
In the pools and on the rocks of the tidal zone lives a diversity of marine life - barnacles, starfish, small crabs, and many other animals. Join a park ranger for a summer guided tide pool walk or take a hike through the coastal forests at Mora or Kalaloch. Paths lead down to six different beaches from Ruby Beach to Kalaloch. Information, brochures, and publications are available at the Mora and Kalaloch ranger stations. Ozette, located on a spur road off U.S. 112, in the far northwestern corner of the park, is home to several beaches where you can view sea stacks.