Surrounded by the emerald green of majestic forests, the communities of Quilcene and Brinnon are located along the north end of Hood Canal, Washington's only fjord.

Hood Canal towns are famous for quiet rural living and outdoor activities such as hiking and boating. Fresh shellfish are also a big attraction. Oysters from Quilcene and Dabob bays are shipped to the finest restaurants throughout world.

Three rivers tumble out of the Olympic Mountains in South Jefferson County, pouring through a landscape of towering firs and beautiful meadows. The Big Quilcene, the Dosewallips and the Duckabush empty into the salt water of Hood Canal and offer numerous recreational opportunities.

The U.S. Forest Service's Quilcene Ranger Station is where visitors can get information about the Olympic Mountains, fishing, hiking, viewpoints, backpacking and where to cut your own Christmas tree.

Brinnon's ShrimpFest is the flavorful May event for the Emerald Towns, while Quilcene celebrates its Heritage Days in April.

Elwell P. Brinnon built the first homestead along the Duckabush River about six miles south of present-day Brinnon. Later he moved his wife, a sister to S'Klallam Indian Chief Chetzemoka, to the present site of Brinnon along the Dosewallips River.

While Brinnon remained a small community, Quilcene city leaders hoped their town might grow into a major port during the 1890s, when Port Townsend speculators began building a railroad to Olympia and on to Portland. Quilcene would have been its first major stop, but extending the line across 2,730-foot Mount Walker just south of town proved too costly and brought railroad plans to an end.

In the next century, Quilcene's town leaders turned their aspirations to mining, but the Tubal Cain Copper and Manganese Mining Co. never hit a big enough payload to compensate for the inaccessibility of the sites. The mines closed in the 1920s.

Logging is the only trade that sustained both communities until the latter part of the 20th century.

Destinations

Quilcene National Fish Hatchery: Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the hatchery is located two miles south of Quilcene along Highway 101. The hatchery raises three of the five species of Pacific salmon - chinook chum and silver salmon. For more information, call 360-765-3334.

Mount Walker Viewpoint: Puget Sound and mountain scenery stretches out before visitors to the Mount Walker viewpoint after ascending a 3.1-mile, fairly steep gravel road or a two-mile hike. If you drive to the top, leave your travel trailer behind.

Pleasant Harbor: On the county's southern edge, the marina offers great facilities for boaters and travelers. Just south is the public boat launch at Triton Cove.

Dosewallips State Park: For hiking and camping enthusiasts, enjoy the park and its many offerings.

Other attractions: Take a day trip to Whitney Gardens in Brinnon, or try a visit to Rocky Brook Falls about three miles from Highway 101 on Dosewallips River Road.