Itinerary
- Day 1
Olympia to Hurricane Ridge to Lake Crescent
You'll start with a scenic 3-hour drive north from Olympia through the Hood Canal to Port Angeles, where you'll catch views of Puget Sound and the islands along the way. Once there, you're heading up to Hurricane Ridge for a hike on the ridge trail. On clear days, the panoramic views stretch all the way to Vancouver Island. After spending time in the alpine terrain, you'll drive down to Lake Crescent Lodge for the night. You can relax by the lake or try some shorter hikes in the area if you have energy left.
- Meals
- Dinner (Outdoor dinner on the shore of Lake Crescent, prepared by your guide (weather permitting))
Included Activities
- Scenic drive along Hood Canal to Port Angeles
- Hurricane Ridge hike (3-5 miles, 600-1000 ft elevation gain/loss)
- Visit Hurricane Ridge Visitor's Center
- Ridge hiking with views across Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island
Optional Activities
- Short hiking trails near Lake Crescent Lodge
- Lakefront relaxation and viewing
Landmarks/POIs Hurricane Ridge Hurricane Ridge Visitor's Center Lake Crescent Strait of Juan de Fuca - Day 2
Lake Crescent to Shi Shi Beach
After breakfast prepared by your guide, you'll drive 1.5 hours west to the Makah Reservation and start a two-mile hike through coastal forests leading to Shi Shi Beach. This stretch of Washington coastline has pounding waves, rugged cliffs, sea stacks, and tidal pools full of marine life to explore. Your guide serves gourmet lunch right on the beach. If the tide works in your favor, you'll check out the tidal pools near Point of Arches. On the drive back, you'll stop at the Makah Museum before heading to dinner at a hand-picked restaurant near Lake Crescent Lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast prepared by your guide), Lunch (Gourmet lunch served on the beach), Dinner (Dinner at a hand-picked restaurant)
Included Activities
- Shuttle to Shi Shi Beach trailhead (1.5 hours)
- Coastal forest hike to Shi Shi Beach (4-8 miles, 200 ft elevation gain/loss)
- Exploration of Shi Shi Beach, sea stacks, and cliffs
- Tidal pool exploration (tide dependent)
- Possible exploration along Shi Shi Beach toward Point of Arches
- Makah Museum visit
- Gourmet lunch on the beach
Landmarks/POIs Shi Shi Beach Point of Arches Makah Reservation Makah Museum - Day 3
Lake Crescent to Hoh Rainforest to Olympia
You're leaving the lodge and driving southwest 1.5 hours to the Hoh Rainforest, one of the nation's largest temperate rainforests. This place gets over 140 inches of rain each year. The Hoh River trail takes you through ancient trees reaching 300 feet tall, with moss covering nurse logs everywhere. You'll likely spot elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, and banana slugs throughout the hike. After gourmet trail lunch, you'll drive along scenic Highway 101 for final Pacific Ocean views before heading back to Olympia, which takes about 3.5 hours.
- Meals
- Lunch (Gourmet trail lunch)
Included Activities
- Shuttle to Hoh River trailhead (1.5 hours)
- Hoh River trail hike (4-6 miles, minimal elevation gain/loss)
- Exploration of temperate rainforest ecosystem
- Wildlife observation opportunities (elk, deer, bears, eagles, banana slugs)
- Scenic drive back on Highway 101 with coastal views
- Gourmet trail lunch
Landmarks/POIs Hoh Rainforest Hoh River
