Sensibility Check - Ashford in April

Submitted by MaryPoppppinBottles t3_zwsy5e in Washington

Looking for a sensibility check here.. My husband and I (Late 30s) are looking to visit Ashford in early-mid April as part of a larger trip to Seattle.

From our research of Ashford, it looks like several restaurants/breweries are closed during that time for the winter season. Is that accurate? Our main goals are to relax in our AirBNB and hike 1-2 trails. We’ll have a rental car.

Looking for a sensibility check to see if Ashford is the right place for us or if we should explore other options.

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DeaditeMessiah t1_j1wm5nj wrote

That's too early in the season to properly experience Rainier or the NCNP. Either plan more for mid July or explore the much larger and cooler Olympic NP, which is mostly open year round (stay in Forks or Port Angeles).

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MaryPoppppinBottles OP t1_j1wq9sx wrote

Thank you kind Redditor! I appreciate the feedback and recommendation. I’ll take a look at Olympic NP!

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DeaditeMessiah t1_j1wsqvh wrote

It's huge and way better than Rainier anyway. Rainier is beautiful, but you can see it from half the state.

The Olympic NP is magic. But seeing the whole park requires a lot of driving. If you are wanting to just go to one place and stay in that area, try the Lake Quinault Area of the ONP.

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byebyekittytreats t1_j1x81hi wrote

If you like old cabins, I would recommend staying at Locharie Resort. It's magical any time of year (been in Jaunary and March), there are lots of trails nearby, and waking up on the lake watching the otters and eagles in the morning is a balm for the soul. You're also not too far from the ocean if you want to get some salt air in your diet.

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Perenially_behind t1_j1xpagw wrote

The old cabins are great, but not the old saggy mattresses. At least the ones in the Colonel Bob cabin when we stayed there some time ago.

But you can't beat the location. It is magical.

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Marmotskinner t1_j1xoots wrote

Yep. If you want to get a spot at ONP, you have to leave at 0 dark 30, on a weekday —and when you land a place, keep it. Because you won’t find jackshit if you try to head out after work on a Friday afternoon.

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monkey_trumpets t1_j1y1e5l wrote

I also don't particularly recommend the Rain Forest Village Resort. It was kinda shabby. I would suggest looking into vrbo. For only slightly more than a cabin/hotel you can rent an entire house, often on a decent amount of land. There is also the Lake Quinault Lodge, which is a more upscale standard sort of hotel. Also, if you're planning on eating in, you'll want to stock up before heading to the Lake Quinault area since the nearest grocery store is an hour away. Internet is also spotty throughout the entire area, so download any maps you'll want to use before heading out (and maybe some movies). I will also highly recommend the Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail. It is like walking through a fairy tale. Also taking the scenic drive around the lake, starting at the south side of the lake. Just be aware that after a point the road turns to gravel, and the return trip on the north side of the lake (Northshore Rd) is also gravel for a good stretch, and only one lane for quite a bit, through a fairly spooky and not super exciting stretch. Also, when we were there, December 16th-20th, the only restaurant that served lunch was a bit away in Amanda Park, so that is something to take into consideration. Not sure what it is like other times of the year.

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Hbdrickybake t1_j1xivnj wrote

False, this is a great time to experience Rainier! It is totally different than it is during the summer but if you enjoy the snow it is a great time to go. It offers world class back country skiing and snowshoeing (I think you can rent either in Ashford). I love Ashford and Rainier that time of year.

Olympic NP is amazing and definitely worth checking out but to say Rainier isn't worth it because you can see it from half the state shows how little of Rainier NP you have experienced.

There are restaurants open this time of year but the town and area is definitely still in the off season so not everything is open. Asford will likely not have snow but Rainier will. If it is bad weather the road up to Paradise could be closed for a few hours or even for a few days.

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DeaditeMessiah t1_j1xt7n2 wrote

I've been all over that park. That time of year, you're missing the reflective lakes and most of the wildlife. You're getting snow and a big beautiful mountain.

But if you're only going to spend a few days in April at a Washington national park, it's gotta be the Olympics. It's four times the size, and in full bloom that time of year.

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insanecorgiposse t1_j1xbv4j wrote

If you plan to stay in Ashford I have an idea but you cannot do it until late July. Rent a car or suv and start in Ashford. If you are coming from Seattle I would go early in the morning through Enumclaw to sr410 then pick up sr123 which will take you to the ohanapacosh entrance for Mt. Rainier national park. This will avoid the mind-boggling long line at the nisqually entrance and you can avoid 90% of the park traffic. From there take the liberty valley road towards Sunrise. When you get to sunrise turn left and head for the nisqually exit unless you want to get stuck with the crowds at paradise. This will get you to ashford but I would only stop at copper creek inn for huckleberry pancakes. From there head to morton down highway 7 and then pick up sr 12 to randle. When you get to randle get on sr 131 to forest service road 25. This is closed right up until summer and I've even seen it closed up to July if the snow is heavy. This takes you the back side of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams and not many people know about it. From there follow it until you get to eagle cliff and fs90. You may want to detour a little further to Ape Cave (Google it). You can reverse back to ashford but I say screw that and make tracks to Carson. Stay in Carson it has a great hot spring and spa as well as a 5 star brewery and restaurant. Then from carson drive the gorge and stop at Bonneville and maybe bridle falls as you work back west. Then you can shoot over to portland/Vancouver and back up I-5. I grew up near Tanwax which is near Ashford and this drive never gets old.

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SummitMyPeak t1_j1ziu6j wrote

This is a great little road trip. My only addition is that even the crazy busy areas like Sunrise and Paradise are easy go access if you arrive early. Which is usually before 830am. That's not that hard to do, even if leaving from Seattle (means leaving around 6am).

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ardesofmiche t1_j1wongr wrote

There will likely be several feet of snow in that area of the mountains at that time of year

Snow at elevation sticks around until June or July in some places

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demonbrew66 t1_j1xkmhe wrote

Highly doubtful the Ashford area will have several feet of snow in April. At that elevation, about 1,700 feet, most snow will have melted by then

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MaryPoppppinBottles OP t1_j1wqch2 wrote

Thank you for the insight! That is really helpful. I think we’ll look into other areas instead!

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Marmotskinner t1_j1xnw31 wrote

There are some campgrounds at that elevation that are completely snowed in and inaccessible as late as June/July. Oh and bring bug spray. The flies and mosquitoes are brutal. Last time we hiked Grand Park the three of us blew through 6 cans of OFF! and still came out looking like we contracted Chicken Pox.

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