Olympic National Park
Backpacking Trip, Washington
August 4-12, 2018
Trip Leaders: Dave Hoffmeyer and Cindy Durr
Type of Trip: Backpacking
Cost: $450 +Airfare
Cancellation Date and full payment: May 4, 2018
Adults Only
Maximum number: 12
Minimum number: 8
Wilderness Level: 3 - more than 2 hrs away from emergency response
Difficulty: Strenuous, Rugged, 2500 Elevation Gain/Loss; 10 miles on one day
We will spend our first day camping and day hiking at Mount Rainier. We will get close up view of this majestic peak as we explore the mountain flanks.
The rest of our trip will be spent at Beautiful Olympic National Park. From the 7,980-foot summit of Mount Olympus, the Pacific Ocean shimmers in the distance, less than 33 miles west. Between the highest peak in the Olympic Mountain range and sea is a jumble of rugged peaks, whose shoulders are decorated with meadows and lakes. Below tree line, scattered subalpine forests give way to steep forested slopes ending in broad, U-shaped valleys. In all directions mountains and valleys radiate from Mount Olympus like spokes on a wheel. Olympic has 311 glaciers, compared to only 28 in Glacier National Park.
We will spend the next two nights in a hostel day hiking the mile-high Hurricane Ridge Area and with an optional early morning guided sea kayak trip. The next 3 days will be spent hiking and camping in the Seven Lakes Wilderness area a high alpine area with spectacular views. The 2nd day will include a 2000 ft. elevation gain as we ascend to a 7000-ft. elevation. The Final 2 days of the trip will be hiking and camping on the Pacific Ocean. Rated the best beach hike in the country by Backpacker magazine.
Daily Mileage will be no more than 10. Maximum elevation will be 7000 feet. Even though we are going during the “dry season”. It is the Pacific Northwest, so rain is always possible. We will be carrying Bear canisters as there are many in the area,
We will have at least one practice hike to discuss the trip review gear and make sure that everyone is physically ready for the trip.
