I'm up by the Olympic Pen as we speak! Incredible area. Natural beauty is overwhelming, and the folks in Washington are very down to earth and friendly to travelers. A kind lady walked up to me at a rest stop and handed me five bucks out of the blue. Wasn't even trying to spange or busk. Just minding my own business and BAM, five whole dollars.
I think you've already got the right idea. You really can't go wrong with the nature trails around here. I'm heading back down to the foothills so I can be with my folks on Christmas, but goddamn I wish I could postpone the holidays, lol. Pot is legal, lots of casinos to get free coffee from, people generally seem to be very nonjudgemental toward poor traveling folk, breathtaking beauty
everywhere. You'll love it
As for hitch hiking:
I've got my station wagon, so I'm not hitching, but I've heard really good things about hitching through this area from friends of mine. I was temporarily traveling with several hitch hikers for a few weeks. We wound up becoming good friends. Dropped them off in Olympia a couple days ago. They've been in touch, and apparently they managed to make their way all the way down to Portland within only a few nights. Not bad at all, huh?