>>1829952The meth heads usually stick to key peninsula or they're holded up on private land as rangers and hikers go through a lot of it. Won't really be a problem on the trails. Covid has a lot of people out of parks, and the puget sound/travel filters a large portion of seattle (though it's actually pretty convenient to get to if you take the ferry from edmonds). That said I always recommend hiking with a battle buddy. It's more fun and it's significantly safer from getting lost, getting injured. Also recommend taking a plb or gps, and there are bears in the park so bear spray and a bear can or ursack. Check hiking/camping regs to see if you can use an ursack or rent one from the ranger station. There are bear lines at some of the hike in campgrounds.
The coast is great.
Hoh rainforest is one of the most well known/remarkable spots.
I highly recommend some of the places on the north side of the park, like hurricane ridge as you get an amazing view of the Salish sea (ie. strait of Juan de Fuca, ie. water between US/Canada) and you can sometimes see Vancouver island. Gets pretty high up quickly.
East side is pretty easy access, good trails, I've enjoyed Lena Lake.
Great stars up in the hills as it's so far away from major cities relatively. Plan on trying to go out there this weekend to see the comet and camp.
As much as I enjoy Olympic ntl park, if your early August, the place recommend the most is hiking Mt. Rainier. The wildflowers are out mid-late July to early-mid August and they are phenomenal. There is a trail loop around the mountain that takes probably longer than you have, but it's very pretty. If you can spare a day go up to paradise and dick around on the trails. Last time up there I had one of my happiest moments seeing a probably 80+ y/o man up on the trails. He could only go a few feet at a time with his walking stick, but damned if he wasn't out there enjoying it, and all the hikers encouraged him too.
