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Olympic National Park, WA

Jul 16 - Jul 23, 2017 -- $1350 ★

Beautiful Olympic National Park encompasses last wild coastal beach in the Continental USA, where sea lions frolic and collosal driftwood comes ashore among a backdrop of ubiquitous Dali-like sea stacks. You’ll then hike through old growth rain forest, and visit redolent fields of lupines on the way up the flanks of the eponymous Mt. Olympus. You may encounter elk, deer, eagles, black bear, huge sea stars and marmots. You will also be able to feast on wild blueberries, blackberries, salmonberries, and huckleberries. At the end of the trip, you'll be able to cap it all off with a soothing soak in Sol Duc hot springs.


Our journey will have 3 parts. We begin by visiting the Pacific Coast near Lake Ozette, where ancient petroglyphs have been carved into coastal rocks. After 2.5 days along the wild Pacific coastline, camping in designated coastal areas where we can watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, we'll head to the Hoh Rainforest, where we'll spend the next 3 nights walking up the glacially fed Hoh River to the lower flanks of Mt. Olympus. Finally, we'll visit Sol-Duc Hot Springs for a well-deserved soak.


As the Pacific Northwest Summer unfolds, it's prime time to visit.during the fleeting, relatively dry and bug free temperate season.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s and 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s and 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of overnight temperatures as low as the 30s. Remember too that weather along the coast can vary greatly from weather in the rain forest.


Here are the historical weather averages Be prepared with lots of sun and rain protection and water containers that add up to 4 liters of capacity.



Trip Leaders

Dan Shafto
Julie Quibodeaux

Cost

$1350 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Seattle / Sea-Tac (SEA), personal equipment, restaurant meals (2 dinners and 1 breakfast) eaten off the trail and any gratuities.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, Park entrance fees, campground fees, hot spring fees, National Park permits, insurance, satellite phone and 2 awesome guides.



Difficulty

We have hand picked trails that are primarily level, with distances that are not overly aggressive in order to maximize beauty and lessen difficulty (hiking with a full pack on your back is always at least somewhat difficult). Still, it's good to be aware of the fact that walking in sand or on wet tidal rocks (on our beach days) can pose real challenges because it's difficult to get a good purchase on these surfaces.



Important Note


Olympic National Park requires backountry users [us] to carry Animal Resistant Food Containers (AFRCs) in order to ensure than animals don't get any of our food or other fragrant items (example). Although it's possible not everyone will be carrying one, please make sure to leave enough room for one in your pack.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Sunday, July 16, 2017

Fly into Seattle (SEA). The best arrival time is between 12PM - 3PM, but if you can save a significant amount of money by arriving a little before or after, you should do so.

Take free airport shuttle to Clarion Hotel Seattle Airport, 3000 S 176th St, SeaTac, WA, 98188, 206-242-02000.

Equipment shakedown. We go through your pack and examine everything you brought.

Go to REI, Tukwila to pick up any equipment participants forgot

Trail mix distribution

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out for opening dinner, review trip orientation (cost of dinner not included in trip cost)



Monday, July 17, 2017

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Go out for breakfast at Dave's Diner, (breakfast cost not included in trip cost)

Shuttle 4.5 hours to Ozette Trailhead, Olympic National Park

Begin Hiking at Ozette Ranger Station, elevation 100'

Hike 3.0 Miles to Cape Alava, elevation Sea Level

Camp at Cape Alava, Elevation Sea Level

Miles today: 3.0. Total miles: 3.0

Possible bailout: Ozette Ranger Station


Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Hike 1.0 miles to some Petroglyphs

Hike 2.7 miles to South Sand Point

Set up camp at South Sand Point, elevation Sea Level

Day Hike 4.0 miles round trip to Ozette Lake

Camp at South Sand Point, elevation Sea Level

Miles today: 7.7. Total miles: 10.7

Possible bailout: Ozette Ranger Station


Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Hike 0.6 miles to Sand Point

Hike 2.8 miles to Ozette Ranger Station

Drive over 2 hours through Forks to Hoh Rain Forest Visitor's Center

Hike 5.0 miles to Five Mile Camp

Camp at Five Mile Group Site, elevation 800'

Miles today: 8.4. Total miles: 19.1

Possible bailout: Hoh Visitor Center


Thursday, July 20, 2017

Hike 5.8 miles to Lewis Meadow, elevation 1000'

Camp at Lewis Meadow Group Site, elevation 1000'

Miles today: 5.8. Total miles: 24.9

Possible bailout: Hoh Visitor's Center


Friday, July 21, 2017

Hike 10.8 miles to Hoh Ranger Station

Drive 2 hours to Sol Duc

Camp at Sol Duc Frontcountry Campground sites 009 & 010, bath houses and running water here.

Miles today: 10.8. Total miles: 35.7

Possible bailout: Forks


Saturday, July 22, 2017

Day-Hike 1.4 miles round trip to Sol Duc Falls

Go to Sol Duc Hot Springs for a natural hot tub experience (included in trip cost)

End of hiking

Miles today: 1.4. Total miles: 37.1

Possible bailout: Hoh Ranger Station

Shuttle back to Seattle and back check into Clarion Hotel Seattle Airport, 3000 S 176th St, SeaTac, WA, 98188, 206-242-02000.

"After" measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, July 23, 2017

Free airport shuttle


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