Shuttle: 2.25 hours

Hiking Distance: 5.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 2707 feet

Elevation Loss: 909 feet

The day begins with a pickup from your Olympia Hotel as we venture away from the city toward the majestic Mt. Rainier. Upon arriving at the trailhead in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, we’ll unload quickly and make sure we’re well-fed before hitting the trail. The hike starts with a 484-foot descent to a glacier-fed river crossing, followed by an ascent into the heart of the Goat Rocks. Our first campsite will be at a high alpine lake nestled just below the ridgeline leading to Coal Creek Mountain.

Hiking Distance: 7.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,415 feet

Elevation Loss: 2,463 feet

After a hearty breakfast we’ll start our day with a climb up to the ridge where we will ascend above the treeline to walk along the alpine ridge where we’ll reach an old Lost Lake Lookout site. With the panoramic views, on a clear day, we’ll enjoy the sights of Mt Rainier, Mt Adams, and Mt St. Helens! Once we’ve taken in our fill, we’ll descend down to yet another alpine lake before beginning a gradual climb that opens up into an expansive, high-altitude area adorned with wildflowers and sweeping views of the majestic Goat Rocks Wilderness, including stunning snowfields and dramatic waterfalls. Continuing past Chimney Rock, we’ll follow the ridge for breathtaking vistas of Bear Creek Mountain, Old Snowy, and Johnson Peak. The descent that follows is swift and rocky, so treading carefully, we’ll make our way to Packwood Saddle, a serene forested junction where we’ll set up camp for the night!

Hiking Distance: 5.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 173 feet

Elevation Loss: 3,052 feet

This morning we awaken to the vibrancy of an the old-growth forest. Now an expert at packing up your tent and backpack, you are free to find solitude in the surrounding forest or chat with the other guests while awaiting another scrumptious breakfast. The trail descends through dense forest as we pass by a jaw dropping old landslide and navigate our way over and through a short but steep and rugged section of trail. We will continue our decent through the forest, weaving over a glacier fed creek as it leads us to the valley floor below where we will hike along a river until we reach a large lake where we will make camp. This dense forest welcomes us with an assortment of ferns, salmonberries, flowering currants, and vanilla-leaves. After making camp, we will have the opportunity to go for a swim or wade in the clear crisp mountain lake. After a final backcountry dinner, when we choose to cozy into our warm sleeping bags, the gentle sound of the distant river and waves rolling on the shore will lull us off to sleep.