Enchanted Valley
Seattle, WA
5.0 (11 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Dramatic River Valley
- Unique Rainforests
- Waterfalls & Glaciers
- Wildlife Habitat
- Towering, Mile-High Cliffs
- 1930s Ghost Town Chalet
- Fantastic Cuisine
Description
On this world class backpacking trip we hike to a remote valley surrounded by mile high cliffs, waterfalls, and glaciers in the wilderness of Olympic National Park. Known to locals as “The Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls,” Enchanted Valley is home to a historic Swiss-style chalet that dates back to the 1930s, as well as the wild Quinault River, Chimney Peak, Quinault Rainforest and Anderson Glacier. This four or five day hike to Enchanted Valley is the Olympics at their best – crossing creeks and rivers, navigating through mossy forests, and breaking into stunning, wide open meadows. And despite penetrating deep into the heart of the Olympics, the elevation change on this trip is moderate – the only heart-pounding on this trail will be from the views.
$1235 PER PERSON
$1485 PER PERSON
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 30-40 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 6-10 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- Up to 2650 day hiking
- Most Elevation Gain:
- Up to 2650 day hiking
- Quality of Trails:
- Lightly maintained
- Additional:
- This trip follows established and maintained trails with possible deadfall, and requires multiple creek crossings on uneven, slick and/or unstable terrain.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- exercise several times per week
- be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles per day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Olympic National Park hike a solitude 3. You can expect to have hours of solitude at a time.
Learn More about our Rating SystemThe 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 Capital Aeroporter and costs $30-$45 per person each way. Go to www.capair.com/olympia or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.
Washington State does not charge sales tax on services, so there is no sales tax for this trip.
All trips in Olympic National Park have a 3% fee required by the National Park Service. This fee is applied when your reservation is made and is passed through directly to the national park.
There are no other taxes or fees associated with this trip. Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions!
Private Trips
Traveling in perfect company is a wonderful thing! With our private trip offerings you can book a trip exclusively for your group. Whether it’s with family, friends or colleagues, private trips are a fun and enriching way to explore the outdoors.
Private trip pricing is based on a sliding scale, depending on the number of people in your party. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax and national park fees (where applicable) or guide gratuity. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE to get the ball rolling!
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2
- 3 People: Rate x 1.3
- 4 People: Rate x 1.1
- 5+ People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to the trailhead: 2.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1170 feet
This multi-day Olympic National Park hiking trip begins with pick up at your hotel in Olympia. After a 2.5-hour scenic drive, our first day is spent hiking along the majestic Quinault River, climbing steadily past small waterfalls and moss-laden trees. Deep in the heart of the Quinault Rainforest, we’ll keep our eyes out for unique flora and fauna as elk and other wildlife are common here, as well as an abundance of lush vegetation and giant trees. We’ll spend the first night at O’Neil Creek, and finish off the day with a hearty dinner served up deep in the rainforest.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1300 feet
- Elevation Loss: 600 feet
Day two follows the Quinault river further up into the mountains toward its headwaters, intermittently climbing and crossing small side creeks. We’ll hike through maple forests, past giant firs and spruces, and find many more small waterfalls along the way. Shortly before today’s ending destination, we’ll cross a dramatic bridge high above the Quinault River, and then the forest will open up into the stunning vistas of Enchanted Valley. We’ll camp here, in an open meadow with views of mountains, glaciers, and rivers. Black bear are common in this area, and if we’re lucky we’ll see one foraging near by. Salmon, bald eagles, deer, otters, beavers, and more inhabit this bountiful area as well.
Day 3 (5-Day Itinerary Only)
- Hiking Mileage: up to 10 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: up to 3500 feet
If you choose the 5 day option, day 3 can be an opportunity to relax and soak up the views of Enchanted Valley, or to get some day hiking in and make the heart-pounding ascent to Anderson Pass. This option is best added after July 1 for day hiking to the pass, as snow persists in the higher elevations through late June. We’ll carry light daypacks, and start off with a mellow stroll through meadows, and old-growth forests and wind our way past the largest Western Hemlock in the world, before beginning the climb up towards Anderson Pass at 4,464 feet. Berries, views, and wildlife abound.
Second to Last Day
- Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 600 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1300 feet
We’ll visit the historic riverside chalet (that due to erosion by the Quinault river, has been moved several times!), snap amazing photos of towering peaks and glaciers, and look for blueberries and other treats in the meadows and forests near our camp.We’ll visit the historic riverside chalet (that due to erosion by the Quinault river, has been moved several times!), snap amazing photos of towering peaks and glaciers, and look for blueberries and other treats in the meadows and forests near our camp.
Final Day
- Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1170 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1800 feet
- Shuttle to Olympia: 2.5 hours
Our final day will take us back to the trailhead the way we came. We’ll drive past scenic Lake Quinault on the way out, and then bid farewell to the rainforest and to Olympic National Park as we head back towards Olympia, already dreaming of our next adventure.
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and technical backpack
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Olympic National Park hiking guide
- Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia and back
- All entrance fees, permits and passes
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (Oboz hiking shoes and boots recommended)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki or Black Diamond trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
What Gear to Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
What Clothes to Bring
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
This trip originates in Olympia, Washington. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days before the trip start date to coordinate the pre-trip orientation, which will be at 5:00 PM at the Hotel RL Olympia (we recommend staying here as well – mention you’re hiking with us and get a discounted rate as low as $99, 360-943-4000). If you’re staying at the Governor Hotel (our other recommended hotel, 20% discount), we’re happy to pick you up for the orientation. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
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 Considerations
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The standard group size on Olympic backpacking trips is 6 guests and 1 guide, with a maximum of 10 guests and 2 guides. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions 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
Weather in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park covers a dramatic diversity of terrain from seashores to rainforests to alpine peaks and glaciers. The weather will be largely dependent on which trip you sign up for and which ecosystem you will be hiking in. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of Olympic National Park:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
|
Month
|
Coast
|
Mountains
|
||||||
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
|||
|
June
|
66°
|
47°
|
3.8 in
|
53°
|
36°
|
3.9 in
|
||
|
July
|
70°
|
50°
|
2.8 in
|
62°
|
42°
|
2.1 in
|
||
|
August
|
72°
|
50°
|
2.8 in
|
63°
|
43°
|
2.2 in
|
||
|
September
|
69°
|
47°
|
4.4 in
|
57°
|
39°
|
4.7 in
|
||
|
October
|
42°
|
59°
|
11 in
|
47°
|
32°
|
8.5 in
|
||
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 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
Of course campsites vary tremendously 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 backpacking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Yukiko M.
amazing trip
It was an amazing trip. I truly enjoyed it. Thanks Wildland Trekking.
Kristin A.
Knowledgeable and Fun Guide!
Jillian was such a knowledgeable and fun guide! Had a wonderful time and will definitely travel with her and WT again!
Alison M.
Surpassed My Expectations
Julian Lacroix Is the BEST!!!!!! He was the best guide I could have ever imagined we would end up with. He made the trip so relaxing and something educational. Throughout the hike he was teaching us so many thing about nature and how to properly take care of it. His foods were delicious and very thoughtful. We had in our group a vegan and he was very accommodating and never made her feel like she was a burden on the group or his planning. That meant a lot for me. He was just honestly the best guide and we would love to have him again. Would highly recommend him a million times over and over.
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