Wild animal viewing on the Canal

Douglas Scott| Outdoor Society

We all know the world class scenic beauty and quirky, fun towns along Hood Canal, but few of the hundreds of thousands that visit are aware of the wildlife opportunities found along Washington’s fjord. From the craggy summits of rugged mountains, all the way down to the salty waters of Hood Canal itself, the region boasts numerous species of animals that call the area home.

In every corner, one may find fauna thriving, helping to demonstrate the important and sustaining ecosystem of the eastern Olympic Peninsula. In your adventures around Hood Canal, you’ll have a chance to spot many of animals on the following pages. Keep your eyes open and follow our recommendations to make Hood Canal your wildlife destination. As always, stay far away from all wildlife and never feed them or approach them. Keep wildlife wild.

Eagles

Along the rivers, streams and Hood Canal itself, the iconic and majestic bald eagle is commonly spotted. From the Purdy Creek cutoff, out to Alderbrook and then up Hwy 101, a patient, watchful observer can see eagles every day of the year. While eagles can be seen throughout the drive, there are three consistent locations.

Just south of Hoodsport, near the winery, a towering tree with dead branches overlooks the southern end of Hood Canal. The tree, visible from Hwy 101, is a resting spot for eagles throughout the year. Near the mouth of the Duckabush, next to the bridges (especially in the fall, winter and spring months) eagles can be seen along the highway, looking down into the waters for salmon to feast on. Out along Hwy 106, as you drive east to Alderbrook from Hwy 101, is a great place to see eagles looking for salmon or flying over the fjord. These are by no means the only locations but are great spots to start your eagle watching adventures.

Elk

The elk of the eastern slopes of the Olympics can be tricky to see, but are most often seen in two locations. The first is tucked away, back along the North Fork of the Skokomish River at Olympic National Park’s Staircase region. During the fall, winter and spring months, when the snowpack limits travel upriver, elk tend to congregate close to where Lake Cushman meets the Skokomish. In the summer, elk are not spotted here as often. Further north on Hwy 101, the Dosewallips river valley is a very popular spot for elk. Those who frequent Dosewallips State Park and the town of Brinnon in the fall, winter and spring commonly see elk roaming the open areas, even crossing Hwy 101. This is your best bet for seeing elk along Hood Canal.

Elk

Douglas Scott

Bear & Mountain Lion

Chances are, you won’t catch a glimpse of a bear or mountain lion when visiting the Hood Canal region of Washington State. With access to thousands of acres of wilderness, as well as being skittish of people, these two animals are rare sightings. However, they have been spotted and could be anywhere. The trails and communities near Lake Cushman and Mount Rose have spotted the most mountain lions in recent years, especially during the spring and summer months. For bears, it is really just luck of the draw, as every river and creek drainage could have a bear that hangs out there. The more remote you are, the better chance you’ll have at seeing a black bear near Hood Canal.

Marmots

Living at elevation, the only way you’ll see a marmot around Hood Canal is to go hiking. The Olympic Marmots typically live above 4,000ft in elevation and tend to thrive in the Olympics around 5,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation. Marmots hibernate during the cooler weather seasons, giving you just a few months over the summer to catch a glimpse of these adorable, endemic giant ground squirrels. In recent years, a few good hikes to possibly catch a glimpse of marmots are to explore around the Lake of the Angels and to look around the rocks below the summit of Mount Ellinor. A full map of known marmot communities can be found on the Olympic National Park marmot webpage.

Seals, Porpoises and Whales

Hood Canal is home to a great array of marine wildlife. To best see these aquatic mammals, you’ll need to find beach access or an overlook that grants great views. From Seal Rock campground by Quilcene, all the way down to the canal at Belfair State Park, you will have a chance to see at least a seal. Around Hoodsport, you may even see seals lying on people’s docks. Porpoises are much more common than the whales that enter the region, chasing the salmon runs of the fall and winter seasons. In the spring and fall, a lucky few will stand a chance to see a humpback or a gray whale swimming in and exploring Hood Canal as they migrate up and down the coast. On occasion, orcas, also known as killer whales, may swim in, chasing salmon runs down the canal. When driving along the water, keep a watchful eye.

Mountain Goats

In 2018 and 2019, Olympic National Park and Forest officials began removing the mountain goats from the Olympic (see story page 54). As non-native species, the goats are being captured and relocated to the North Cascade Mountains. While the goal is to remove all 700+ mountain goats in the region over a few years, there will be a few stragglers remaining until the bitter end. Mount Ellinor used to be a great spot for mountain goats, but after the removal operation during the summer of 2019, it will be harder to see them. However, the areas around Lake of the Angels and The Brothers, above Lena Lake, will still give you an opportunity to have one more view of these magnificent mountain dwellers.

Mountain Goats

Douglas Scott

Salmon

To see the salmon runs that the larger predators and eagles feast on, there are a few iconic Hood Canal spots to go. In the late fall months of November and December, you a chance to see them returning to their homes to spawn and die. Families will enjoy walking Kennedy Creek’s trails that are open in November, while those exploring the area can see them in large numbers from Hoodsport down to Union. If you see the large amounts of anglers parked along the road, stop and watch the salmon swim and the humans hoping to catch one of these giant, tasty fish.