Backpack the breathtaking trails and rainforests of Olympic National Park with veteran trip leader Bill Simpson. Explore the longest stretch of coastal wilderness in the lower 48 states and witness fascinating tidal pools, scenic beaches, and amazing sea life. Wander through thick carpets of wildflowers and groves of forests, watching for black-tailed deer and listening for the whistle of the Olympic marmot. Trek up to see the splendor of the falls cascading 100 feet down basalt cliffs. Hike through one of the largest, intact temperate rainforests remaining in the world!
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1: Drive from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula and camp the first night within the national park, near Park Headquarters in the town of Port Angeles.
DAY 2: Pick up backcountry permits and drive two hours to the Lake Ozette Ranger Station. Carry your backpack about three miles through coastal forest to a lovely campsite in the trees, next to the wild beach and pounding surf.
DAY 3-4: You will have time to explore, walk the beach, look for seals, do some birdwatching, and move camp three miles along the beach to a new spot.
DAY 5: Today you'll backpack back to the Lake Ozette ranger station for three miles on a different boardwalk trail. Pack up and drive to the rain forest for the second portion of our trip.
Day 6: With a base camp deep within the park interior, spend a day doing day hikes in the old-growth temperate rainforest, amongst some of the world's largest trees.
Day 7: After breakfast, pack up, do one last morning hike, and leave for our return to Seattle.
Travel, Terrain, Etc...
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Olympic National Park's coast is sandy, with intermittent boulders, headlands, and seastacks. The rainforest trail is fairly gentle, with mud and tree roots to negotiate. The six miles of boardwalks are more interesting than they sound, passing through woodlands that would be destroyed if not for the boardwalk system.
TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: We will travel moderate distances each day (3-5 miles). There will be plenty of opportunities for exploration. The group carries all clothing, equipment and food in 30-40 lb. backpacks. Your leaders will give you lots of tips for making backpacking enjoyable. To protect the environment, WI uses "minimum impact" camping techniques.
WEATHER: Temperatures range from 45 F to 75 F. Rainfall can vary and you should expect rain. The Hoh rainforest gets over 140 inches of rain annually. The coast gets less rain but still a significant amount. Good rain gear is essential.
LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: This is a camping trip--you will live and travel outdoors. At night, you will sleep in tents. Bathrooms consist of private satellite style toilets. Ranger stations have indoor facilities. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.
GROUP SIZE: The group size ranges from 6 to 7 participants, plus 1 or more Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.
CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the adventure involves learning about daily camp activities.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary camping equipment, including backpacks. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing, hiking boots and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: This is a moderately challenging adventure. We recommend you do physical training to prep for this trip. You need the ability to safely carry up to 1/3 of your body weight. The trails are fairly accessible and make this an ideal introductory backpacking trip.
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Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.
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From the Olympic National Park's web page:
Olympic National Park welcomes you to a diverse and stunning world--a fog-shrouded coast with booming surf and wave-manicured beaches, spectacular alpine country dotted with sparkling lakes, lush meadows, glaciers, and North America's finest temperate rain forest.
American Indians have lived here for thousands of years, both along the coast and in the interior reaches of the peninsula. Their primary form of subsistence came from the sea and rivers, as well as berries, roots, and land mammals. Cedar was the most important material resource, used for everything from house planks to canoes. The bark was used for clothing and baskets, even towels and diapers.
In 1592, the first European, Juan de Fuca, may have come along these shores. Reliable information of European penetration, however, is not available until 1774 when Juan Perez sailed along this coast. In the next 25 years a bevy of British, American, and Spanish explorers visited the area. The most enduring work was done by Robert Gray, an American, and George Vancouver, an Englishman. Both men explored the area thoroughly, establishing rival claims to this land for their own countries.
Although American Indians utilized and traveled throughout the mountains of the peninsula, it was not until 1885 that the first systematic documented exploration of the interior of the Olympic Peninsula was made. That year Lt. Joseph P. O'Neil led the first documented expedition into the interior. In 1889-90 the Press expedition led by James Christie made a north-south crossing in five and one-half months. In 1890 Lt. O'Neil returned and made an east-west crossing. Slowly a movement got underway to set aside some of the peninsula as a national park.
In 1897 President Grover Cleveland created the Olympic Forest Reserve, a portion of which President Theodore Roosevelt designated a national monument in 1909. In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation creating Olympic National Park and in 1988 nearly 96 percent of the park was designated as wilderness. Olympic is a place for the soul to expand and for the mind to be refreshed with the beauty of life.
For more information, visit these links:
National Park Service - Olympic National Park Website
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park Field Guide
Visitor Guide to the Olympic Peninsula
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