Humes Ranch, Olympic National Park, National Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory

National Park Service

Humes Ranch is located in the north-central portion of Olympic National Park, approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead at Whiskey Bend in the Elwha River drainage. The Elwha served as a natural pathway into the Olympic interior for several groups of early explorers in the late nineteenth century, including those associated with the Press expedition. Within this environment, Humes Ranch was sited in an isolated location on a gently sloping mountain terrace approximately 100 feet from the Elwha River flood plain. Today, the 9-acre homestead site is situated within an area of Olympic National Park that has been designated as wilderness. The ranch is associated with William and Grant Humes and Herb and Lois Crisler, who occupied and developed the site at two different times between circa 1900 and 1951. Historically, the setting of the homestead included expansive views toward the Elwha River and the terrace below from the Humes Ranch cabin, however, encroaching vegetation has blocked these views, changing the character of the site. Access to Humes Ranch is fairly limited and is provided by following the Humes Ranch Trail from Whiskey Bend trailhead. Today, the primary features associated with the site include the Humes Ranch cabin that was rehabilitated in 2008 by the National Park Service and the associated clearings in the upper and lower terraces. An intact trail circulation system and historic fruit trees also remain on site. .... Several landscape characteristics help to convey the historic character of the site, including natural systems and features, spatial organization, vegetation, circulation, buildings and structures and archeology.

Humes Ranch, Olympic National Park, National Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory

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