Olympic Inn Based Tour
Seattle, WA
4.9 (15 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Rugged Coastlines
- Lush Rainforests
- Alpine Views
- Historic Lodges
- Iconic & Obscure Hikes
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
Description
This tour is an opportunity to experience the very best that the Olympic Peninsula has to offer, with a perfect balance of challenge and comfort. From high alpine ridges and wildflower-studded meadows to dramatic waterfalls; from moss-draped giant trees to rugged beaches…this trip has it all. And to top it off, we’ll stay and dine at a historic National Park lodge on beautiful Lake Crescent, along with outdoor dining experiences prepared by your guide.
Day by day highlights include a ridge traverse 5,500 feet above sea level, a long but moderate coastal hike to Shi Shi beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and finally a hike through the famous Hoh Rainforest, with some of the largest and oldest trees in Washington.
$305 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Unless otherwise requested, we will attempt to find you a roommate of the same gender. If you would like a single room, the single supplement will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows well-maintained trails through the rainforests; the hikes along the beach are on soft, loose sand, hard-packed sand, or small rocks, depending on the tides; some rocks along the beach may be slippery as they are often wet and/or covered in algae or seaweed. Depending on the specific trails chosen by the guide(s), some short sections on the beach may require upper body strength for stabilizing or climbing over and around large boulders or climbing up and down steep headlands using fixed ropes. These sections are not required for any of the hikes, but are optional based on the interests and abilities of the group.
Hiking Distances:
2-8 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1770 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on lightly rugged terrain
- Depending on the hikes decided on by your guide(s), climbing around steep headlamps using ropes (optional)
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Olympic National Park hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 3-5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 600-1000 feet
- Elevation Loss: 600-1000 feet
This Olympic National Park hiking tour begins with pick up at your hotel in Olympia. Our first day features a scenic drive out to the Olympic Peninsula and then a hike along the alpine wonderland of Hurricane Ridge.
To start we’ll drive north along the Hood Canal, with beautiful early morning views of the islands and narrow of Puget Sound, before reaching Port Angeles and climbing up to Hurricane Ridge. After soaking up the views from the Visitor’s Center, we’ll leave the crowds behind and begin our ridge hike. On a clear day, to our north, we can see across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond.
After ample playtime in these extraordinary mountains, we’ll drive back down to sea level and to our accommodations at Lake Crescent Lodge, a century-old hotel filled with charm and history. Showers and beds await, as well as opportunities for shorter hikes just out the back door. Or you can just lounge and enjoy the lakefront views! Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy an outdoor dinner on the shore of Lake Crescent, prepared by your guide.
Day 2
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 4-8 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
On Day 2, after breakfast prepared by your guide, we’ll head west towards Neah Bah and the Makah Reservation. After parking near our trailhead, we’ll descend through coastal forests for two miles until we reach Shi Shi Beach, one of the most dramatic and beautiful beaches that Washington has to offer. Pounding waves, rugged cliffs, and towering sea stacks await, as well as tidal pools filled with unique marine life.
We’ll soak up sweeping views of the Pacific coastline, and if the tide is in our favor, explore intimate tidal pools crawling with sea creatures near where the trail joins the beach. If we have time we’ll continue southward along the expansive Shi Shi Beach towards the iconic Point of Arches. Your guide will serve you a gourmet lunch on the beach and, eventually we will bid farewell to the ocean and head back to the vehicle. On our drive back we’ll have a chance to stop by the famous Makah Museum and learn more about the cultural history of the Makah people. Our amazing day ends at our warm and cozy lodge to clean up for a wonderful, hand-picked restaurant dinner.
Day 3
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
On day 3 we’ll say farewell to our lodge, load up our bags, and head southwest towards the famous Hoh Rainforest. With over 140 inches of rain per year, this is one of the nation’s largest temperate rainforests, and includes ancient trees towering up to 300 feet in height, moss-draped nurse logs, incredible biodiversity, and abundant wildlife.
We’ll hike up the wild Hoh River and explore all that the rainforest has to offer. Elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, fascinating banana slugs, and more await us as we investigate this incredible ecosystem. Immense cushions of moss absorb sounds, contributing to the Hoh River’s title as “The Quietest Place in the U.S.”
When we’ve had our fill of hiking, and of one last gourmet trail lunch, we’ll make our way back to the trailhead and head farther west. Our return drive to Olympia will take us on scenic Highway 101 along the coastal section of Olympic National Park, providing stunning final views of the Pacific Ocean before turning east. We’ll drop you back at your hotel in Olympia, having circumnavigated the entire Olympic Peninsula and explored the best it has to offer!
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.
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
- 2 nights of double occupancy lodging at Lake Crescent Lodge (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
- Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- 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.
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia, Washington to Olympic National Park and back
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 3% national park fee that passes through directly to Olympic NP
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Alcoholic beverages
- 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
We provide all your meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the last day. Your guide will prepare breakfasts and lunches with a variety of hot and cold meals that are appropriate for the day’s activities. Feel free to tell us about your food preferences, as we’re more than happy to tailor the menu to your needs/desires. For dinners, we’ll visit local restaurants you’re sure to enjoy!
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
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?
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 no later than 7 PM.
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.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
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.
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
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
Lake Crescent Lodge
2 NIGHTS
Historic Lake Crescent Lodge was built in the early 20th century and is a perfect base camp for our Olympic hikes. With a lakefront location and comfortable, spacious rooms, it’s a guest favorite!
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Mollie S
Fun for Everyone
Nina was patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Her meals were delicious, her driving (of which there was a LOT) was excellent, and her ability to adapt made things easy and fun for everyone.
Katherine M
Wildland really thought of everything!
I cannot say enough good things about our trip with Wildland! Our guide, Darrek, was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and well-organized. He did a great job tailoring the experience to the group's fitness level and took us on some amazing hikes. The meals he prepared for us were creative and delicious. Our lodging at Lake Crescent Lodge was comfortable and located in a beautiful setting. Wildland took care of all the logistics and equipment; all we had to do was show up and enjoy!
Leslie W
Excellent, as always!
This trip was a great introduction to Olympic National Park. Everything was well-organized from beginning to end. Our guide Rachel was excellent. She was fun, knowledgeable, and made sure everything went smoothly. The food and accommodations on this trip were wonderful as well. This was my 4th Wildland trip and there's a reason I keep coming back!
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