Olympic Rainforest to Glacier Trek
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 36MI / 58KM
Trip Highlights
Explore temperate rainforests, alpine lakes, and a dramatic glacier on this 5 day classic Olympics backpacking trip. We’ll start low, winding our way beneath the moss-covered old-growth giants of the Hoh Rainforest, and spend our first night camped along the beautiful Hoh River. The next day we’ll continue deeper into the Olympics, and camp for two nights at beautiful Elk Lake, where elk, black bear, and deer abound. On day three we’ll take daypacks and climb to the base of the Blue Glacier. A steep ladder down an old avalanche chute provides one last major obstacle to negotiate before the final payoff of Glacier Meadows and the Blue Glacier. We’ll spend plenty of time lounging, photographing, and absorbing the dramatic views of Mount Olympus, the deep crevasses of the Blue Glacier, and the low lying rainforest behind us. When we’ve had our fill we’ll return to camp for a hearty dinner at Elk Lake, and get up the next morning to start our return trek.
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Stunning High Country
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Views of Blue Glacier
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Old Grows Rainforests
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Cascading Waterfalls
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Glacial Rivers
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Wildlife Habitat
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-12 mi -
Group Size
1-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip has two long days of hiking (10-12 miles) and some steep climbing that earn it a level 4 difficulty rating. Also, as a 5-day trip with bear canisters for food and scented items, our backpacks are 35-45 pounds. We have moderate exposure in places, particularly on a high bridge and some ladder climbing.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the trailhead: 3.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 770 feet
Elevation Loss: 400 feet
This multi-day Olympic National Park hiking trip begins with pick up at your hotel in Olympia and a scenic drive to the trailhead on the Olympic Peninsula. We’ll start our hike with a flat 9-mile trek into our first campground at Olympus Guard Station. Along the way we’ll pass waterfalls, discuss old-growth rainforest ecology, and snap photos of some of the oldest trees in the world.
After camp is set up we’ll relax and enjoy a hearty backcountry dinner and take time to appreciate our truly stunning surroundings.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
Elevation Loss: 740 feet
Our second day’s hike will take us from low-lying rainforest to breathtaking views of the higher mountains at Elk Lake. We’ll leave the historic Olympus Guard Station, a national park relic dating from the 1930s, and start climbing through rapidly changing forests. River rapids, high bridges, and turbulent river confluences accompany us along the way, until we make our final ascent up to our high country camp for the night.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2800 feet
Elevation Loss: 2800 feet
On day three, we’ll take our daypacks and hike out of the forest to the stunning Blue Glacier. This day hike will involve navigating a steep ladder down a former landslide, adding a thrilling element to our adventure. Once we reach higher ground, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the glacier, with Mount Olympus towering majestically behind it. Spanning 1.7 square miles, the ice flows off Mount Olympus, and we’ll discuss the incredible power of glaciers in shaping the Olympic Mountain Range.
We’ll enjoy lunch with a spectacular view overlooking the glacier before making our way back to camp for a relaxing evening and a delicious dinner at Elk Lake.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Elevation Loss: 2600 feet
On day four we’ll retrace our steps most of the hike out. With an initial descent and a lot of level ground, we’ll make good time and camp at Five Mile Island, just five miles short of the trailhead. Although we’ll be covering ground we’ve already seen, we’ll be seeing it all from the opposite vantage point (hiking downhill vs. uphill) and there is truly no shortage of new wonders to take in on this trip!
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 275 feet
Elevation Loss: 475 feet
Shuttle to Olympia: 3.5 hours
On our last day we’ll enjoy one last hearty breakfast and a relaxing morning. Eventually we’ll break camp and hike the last little bit out to the trailhead, say goodbye to the rainforest, and enjoy a relaxing shuttle back to Olympia. We’ll stop again at a beautiful spot on the coast for one last lunch together, and then deliver you back to your lodging in Olympia for some much-deserved showers.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia and back
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All entrance fees, permits and passes
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 3% national park fee that passes through directly to Olympic NP
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Olympia, WA.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Olympia
The most common way to reach Olympia is by flying into Seattle and renting a vehicle or shuttling to Olympia (approximately 1 hour). SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle.
The shuttle to Olympia is provided by Premier Airport Shuttle. Go to https://premierairportshuttle.com/olympia/ or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Thomas D
1 year agoChallenging Hikes but Worth It
This backpacking experience was nothing short of perfect, especially for my first time. From the scenery, the physical challenge, and the camaraderie, I highly recommend this trip to anyone who is looking to get away and see a spectacular part of the U.S. Our guide Lindsey was just fantastic from the awesome meals she made, to keeping things light in the difficult portions of the hikes. She was very easygoing and informative of the environment around us throughout the trip. I would recommend training and preparing for this trip if you are inexperienced with hiking like myself. It was a solid challenge at times but the payoff of reaching camp each day and enjoying the park was worth it.
Arianna T
1 year agoExtremely Rejuvenating
The trip to Blue Glacier was incredible! Would highly recommend. The time away from day-to-day life and distractions was extremely rejuvenating. One of the best weeks of my life. Our guide, Rachel, was fabulous - informative, organized, down to earth, super easy to talk to, and a great chef! Meals exceeded expectations from start to finish. Rachel was extremely helpful and we genuinely could not have asked for a better guide.
Daniel A
1 year agoAmazing!
The trip was very well organized. Tyler, my guide, was incredible. Very knowledgeable and a great cook. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't want to go on a trekk alone.
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