The Olympic Mountains guard one of the largest primeval rainforests in the U.S. and the wettest destination in the Lower 48. This 5-day backpacking adventure takes you through this famous Hoh Rainforest and to the monumental Blue Glacier of the Olympic National Park! Traverse a total of 35 miles during the hike and explore different ecosystems within the park, as well as a variety of plants and wildlife that inhabit them. The guide, the food, camping equipment, and permits—it’s all taken care of, so your main task is just focusing on how spectacular the trail is.
Meet your guide and your group at 4 pm at the Hoh Campground. Get acquainted with everyone and go over what to pack and what to leave behind. Settle in for the night under the forest canopy and get a good night’s sleep listening to the creek. Backpacking starts tomorrow.
Meals: Dinner
On your first full day of adventure, hike 9 gradual miles to the Olympus Guard Station gaining 950 easy feet of elevation. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take pictures of the Hoh’s ancient forest, which is one of the most pristine temperate rainforests in the United States.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 9 miles / 14.5 km
Elevation: +950 ft / +290 m
Today you hike from the Olympus Grand Station to Elk Lake Campground. From here, you have a decision to make: either hike to the glacier (another 6 miles roundtrip with 2,800 ft of elevation gain) in the afternoon, or hike the glacier on the morning of Day 4 before moving camp. Upon arrival at the Blue Glacier with Mount Olympus towering overhead, soak in the views and have a good meal.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 11 miles / 17.7 km
Elevation: +5,000 ft / +1,524 m | -2,800 ft / -853 m
Hike downhill back to the Olympus Guard Station, a beautiful campground where you’ll relax for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 5 miles / 8 km
Elevation: -2,200 ft / -670 m
Enjoy the easy hike of the last flat portion to the trailhead and take the last few photos. If you’d like to stay longer, ask your guides for some recommendations and keep on exploring!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 9 miles / 14.4 km
Please note that all dates remain tentative until permits are received after April 15. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until the dates are confirmed. We will contact you if your guides successfully obtain the permits for the exact dates above.
Note: For a detailed map with elevation profile of the tentative itinerary, click here.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
The best thing about these Olympic guided backpacking trips is that they are open for beginner backpackers! However, even though no prior backpacking experience is necessary, you should actively engage in regular physical activities (such as hiking). Additionally, having a passion for the outdoors, exploration, and getting a little dirty are also good considerations. Depending on the adventure you choose, you’ll have 3 or 4 hiking days in a row, covering anywhere between 4 and 11 miles daily. Since there are no porters on these trips, you also have to be comfortable carrying a backpack weighing at least 20-25% of your body weight. Keep in mind that weather can vary greatly throughout the park and that it can be unpredictable. Still, summer is the best season for hiking with mostly pleasant, mild temperatures.
Sol Duc and the Seven Lakes Basin Tour and Hoh Rainforest and the Blue Glacier Tour are both considered strenuous. You can check out the more detailed map with elevation profile of the tentative itinerary for the Sol Duc and the Seven Lakes Basin Tour here, and for the Hoh Rainforest and the Blue Glacier here. The North Coast Backpacking Trip is considered a bit less challenging, and it’s rated as moderate to strenuous.
For more day-to-day details, mileages and elevation gains, check out the itineraries.
If you’d like to explore a larger area, check out this guided hiking tour of Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Here’s a list of clothing we recommend you bring:
Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, camp pillows, bowls, mugs and sporks are all included in the price of the trip. If you have gear that you are comfortable using, it is recommended that you use your own gear.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Plan on additional warm layers for trips in May and late September-October trips, as the weather can fluctuate and may be below freezing at night.
Everything is included in the price of the trip! Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, camp pillows, bowls, mugs and sporks—it’s all taken care of, just let us know on time that you need it. Insect repellant, toothpaste tablets, biodegradable soap, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and toilet paper are also included in the price of the trip.
If you have gear that you are comfortable using, it is recommended that you use your own gear. And if you require a unique type of toiletry items, bring only as much as you need for the trip.
Olympic National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Raccoons, beaver, and mink live mostly in the lowlands, while deer, elk, cougars, and bears are to be found in valleys and mountain meadows. Despite their abundance, viewing wildlife is often a matter of luck and diligence.
Keep in mind that you’re a guest in the animals’ natural habitat, meaning that you must follow a set of rules—one of the Leave No Trace principles. You should observe wildlife from a distance, never feed them, never chase them, or disturb them for a better photo. As long as you respect them, no problems should arise. Carrying bear spray is not advised in Olympic NP—instead of it, make sure that you never leave food unattended and use a bear can if necessary.
Regardless of the local laws and policies, Lasting Adventures does not allow firearms on any of their trips. Participants who bring firearms will not be allowed to participate while in possession of their firearm.
You can expect excellent food throughout your backpacking trip in Olympic NP!
Typical breakfasts might include burritos, oatmeals, pancakes, dried fruit, bagels, etc. For dinner, your guides will prepare a variety of pastas, risottos, beans, couscous, meats, vegetables, etc. Lunch will consist of trail food with fruits, vegetables, pita, bagels, salami, cheeses, hummus, trail mix, energy bars, etc.
A variety of dietary choices (including, but not limited to vegan, vegetarian, peanut and/or tree nut allergy, lactose intolerant, celiac’s or gluten free, kosher) can be easily accommodated, just let your guides know in advance!
Group sizes and prices:
Backpacking in Olympic NP can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Depending on the tour you choose, the meeting point is either the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center or Sol Duc Campground within Olympic National Park. To get there, the nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). From there, renting a car is the easiest option to reach the meeting point and it will take you around 4 hours.
Regardless of which adventure you choose, you’ll meet your guide at the given point at 4 pm on Day 1.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Olympic NP, Washington, please refer to Washington’s COVID-19 travel status.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information