Itinerary
- Day 1
Olympia to Lake Crescent
Start with a scenic 3-hour drive from Olympia to the Olympic Peninsula. You'll hike Klahane Ridge at Hurricane Ridge where you can see Mount Baker, Mount Olympus, and on clear days, Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. By evening, head to the historic Lake Crescent Lodge and consider grabbing dinner on the shore if weather permits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Outdoor dinner on the shore of Lake Crescent, prepared by guide (weather permitting))
Included Activities
- Scenic drive along Hood Canal with views of Puget Sound
- Visit Hurricane Ridge Visitor's Center
- Hike Klahane Ridge towards Mount Angeles (5.2 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain)
Optional Activities
- Shorter hikes from Lake Crescent Lodge
- Lounge and enjoy lakefront views
Landmarks Hurricane Ridge Mount Angeles Mount Baker Mount Olympus Lake Crescent - Day 2
Lake Crescent to Shi Shi Beach
After breakfast at the lodge, drive west to Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation. The hike through coastal forests takes you to Shi Shi Beach with its dramatic waves, rugged cliffs, and sea stacks. You'll explore tidal pools, have a gourmet lunch on the beach, and visit the Makah Museum before returning to Lake Crescent Lodge for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast at the lodge), Lunch (Gourmet lunch served on the beach), Dinner (Hand-picked restaurant dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike to Shi Shi Beach through coastal forests (6-8 miles, 200 feet elevation gain/loss)
- Explore tidal pools and marine life
- Visit Point of Arches area
- Visit Makah Museum to learn about Makah cultural history
Landmarks Shi Shi Beach Point of Arches Makah Museum - Day 3
Lake Crescent to Hoh Rainforest to Kalaloch
Leave Lake Crescent and head southwest to the Hoh Rainforest, one of the nation's largest temperate rainforests with trees reaching up to 300 feet tall. You'll hike along the wild Hoh River and see the ecosystem's wildlife including elk, deer, black bears, and bald eagles. The massive moss cushions here absorb sound, making it remarkably quiet. End the day at Kalaloch Lodge right on the Pacific coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Casual dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike up Hoh River in Hoh Rainforest (4-6 miles, minimal elevation gain/loss)
- Explore temperate rainforest ecosystem and wildlife
- Casual stroll down the beach at Kalaloch
Optional Activities
- Relax with ocean views
Landmarks Hoh Rainforest Hoh River - Day 4
Kalaloch to Mount Rainier
Today you transition from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades and Mount Rainier. Start near Narada Falls and climb through gentle forests and blueberry bushes to Reflection Lakes, which offer mirror-image reflections of Mount Rainier. Continue to Faraway Rock for panoramic views of lakes and mountains. Stay at the historic National Park Inn with optional evening activities available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike near Narada Falls through forests and blueberry bushes
- Visit Reflection Lakes (5 miles, 1150 feet elevation gain)
- Hike to Faraway Rock with panoramic views
- Stroll down Wonderland Trail near National Park Inn
- Optional ranger talk at Longmire or Paradise
Optional Activities
- Relax on the veranda with views of Mount Rainier
Landmarks Mount Rainier Narada Falls Reflection Lakes Faraway Rock Wonderland Trail - Day 5
Mount Rainier Paradise Meadows
Explore Paradise Meadows, a sub-alpine area filled with flowers and fragile vegetation. You'll hike the Skyline Trail toward Glacier Vista and see the Nisqually Glacier, then continue past Panorama Point with potential to reach Camp Muir if you're up for it. Look for marmots, pikas, and mountain goats along the way. Check out the Paradise Lodge and Visitors' Center, with views that might include Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike Skyline Trail towards Glacier Vista (6+ miles, 1,800+ feet elevation gain)
- Views of Nisqually Glacier
- Hike to Panorama Point
- Potential hike to Camp Muir mountaineering basecamp
- Explore Paradise Lodge and Visitors' Center
Optional Activities
- Wildlife viewing for marmots, pikas, and mountain goats
Landmarks Paradise Meadows Skyline Trail Glacier Vista Nisqually Glacier Panorama Point Camp Muir Mount Hood Mount St. Helens Mount Adams - Day 6
Mount Rainier to Olympia
Your final day takes you past waterfalls and a creek to Comet Falls, a 300-foot drop that's one of Rainier's lesser-known spots. You'll hike through delicate ferns and subalpine plants with whitewater spray and polished rock all around. If you want more adventure, continue to Van Trump Park for alpine meadows and open vistas. Have a final picnic lunch, watch for wildlife, then drive 2 hours back to Olympia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Final picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Hike to Comet Falls (4-6 miles, 1250-2150 feet elevation gain)
- Optional hike to Van Trump Park alpine meadow
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting
Landmarks Comet Falls Van Trump Park
