Itinerary
- Day 1
Olympia to Olympic National Park
You'll get picked up at your hotel in Olympia for a 3.5-hour shuttle ride out to the trailhead on the Olympic Peninsula. The hike starts flat and easy, a 9-mile walk to Olympus Guard Station where you'll pass waterfalls and move through old-growth rainforest the whole way. Once you reach camp and set up your tent, there's a hearty backcountry dinner waiting for you.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hearty backcountry dinner)
Included Activities
- Shuttle to trailhead from Olympia hotel
- 9-mile hike to Olympus Guard Station
- Pass waterfalls and observe old-growth rainforest ecology
- Backcountry dinner at Olympus Guard Station
Landmarks/POIs Olympus Guard Station Olympic National Park - Day 2
Olympus Guard Station to Elk Lake
Today's a 6-mile hike from Olympus Guard Station, and the forest changes pretty noticeably as you go. You'll cross river rapids, navigate high bridges, and work your way through river confluences. The real climb comes as you transition from low rainforest up to higher elevation, ending at Elk Lake where you'll camp and get views of the surrounding mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- 6-mile hike from Olympus Guard Station to Elk Lake
- Navigate through changing forest ecosystems
- Cross high bridges and river confluences
Landmarks/POIs Elk Lake - Day 3
Elk Lake to Blue Glacier Day Hike
Grab a daypack this morning and head out to find Blue Glacier. There's a steep ladder to navigate down an old landslide, then you'll climb up above the glacier itself so you can look down at it with Mount Olympus rising up behind. After lunch overlooking the glacier, you'll hike back down to Elk Lake camp for the evening and a nice feast dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch overlooking the glacier), Dinner (Feast dinner)
Included Activities
- Day hike from Elk Lake to Blue Glacier
- Navigate steep ladder descent on former landslide
- Climb to views above Blue Glacier
- View Mount Olympus and glacier formations
- Lunch overlooking the glacier
Landmarks/POIs Blue Glacier Mount Olympus - Day 4
Elk Lake to Five Mile Island
Retrace most of your route back down the trail today. The initial descent and relatively level sections let you move at a good pace. You'll end the day at Five Mile Island, which sits just five miles from the trailhead. Hiking downhill gives you a different perspective on the landscape than your uphill trek in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- 10-mile hike from Elk Lake toward trailhead
- Camp at Five Mile Island
Landmarks/POIs Five Mile Island - Day 5
Five Mile Island to Olympia
Sleep in a bit and take your time with breakfast this morning. After breaking camp, it's the final 5-mile hike to the trailhead. From there you'll get back on the shuttle for the 3.5-hour ride to Olympia. Before arriving at your hotel, you'll stop at a coastal spot for a final lunch with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch (Lunch at a beautiful coastal spot)
Included Activities
- Hearty breakfast
- 5-mile final hike to trailhead
- Shuttle back to Olympia
- Stop at coastal location for lunch
Landmarks/POIs Olympic National Park
