Pacific Northwest Basecamp Tour
Olympia, WA
4.9 (29 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Olympic & Rainier
- Dramatic Landscapes
- Waterfalls & Wildflowers
- Wildlife Habitat
- Fantastic Outdoor Cuisine
- 6 Amazing Hikes, 3 in Each Park
- Pristine Rainforests
- Rugged Coastlines
Description
$2650 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
Many of our hikes on this tour are on well-established trails, but we do hike in areas (such as coastlines) where trails are not established. Hiking can be rocky, muddy, on slick moss-covered rocks, and other types of rugged terrain. Although we’ve rated the max elevation at 1,800 feet, our hike to Camp Muir on Mount Rainier can include as much as 4,600 feet of elevation gain if we’re able to reach the famous mountaineer’s camp.
Hiking Distances:
4-8 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1800-4600 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 pound backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- Hiking in snow may be required in the early season
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Olympic and Rainier hiking tour a solitude 2. You can expect 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 1.75
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-8 People: Rate x 1.25
- 9-12 People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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Itinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Day 2
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 4 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 6-8 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
Day 3
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
On day 3 we’ll explore trails along the Sol Duc River. We’ll hike through moss-draped rainforest and towering old growth trees. Elk, deer, bald eagles, banana slugs, and more await us as we investigate this incredible landscape. The three-tiered Sol Duc Falls is our turn-around point, and after crossing a bridge we’ll travel back, stopping at Lover’s Lane Falls and exploring Canyon Creek along the way. We’ll spend one final night at our camp, taking advantage of the Sol Duc Hot Springs nearby.
Day 4
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 4.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,150 feet
Day four marks our transition from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades and Mt. Rainier. We’ll pack up camp and drive over to Mt. Rainier. We’ll start our hike with scenic Narada Falls, before climbing gradually through gentle forests and abundance blueberry bushes. We’ll climb past the beautiful Reflection Lakes, aptly named for their stunning mirror-image of Mt. Rainier, up to Faraway Rock with panoramic views of lakes and mountains below. After wrapping up our hike we’ll check in to camp at Cougar Rock Campground. After a delicious dinner, enjoy the stars outside or take in a ranger talk at Longmire or Paradise.
Day 5
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 20 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 6+ miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,800+ feet
The fifth day’s hike takes us through the famous Paradise Meadows of Mt. Rainier, a sub-alpine wonderland of flowers and fragile meadows. We’ll head up the Skyline Trail towards Glacier Vista, with its panoramic views of the Nisqually Glacier, and then continue upward. Our goal is to get past the dramatic views of Panorama Point and as close to Camp Muir as possible, possibly even reaching the famous mountaineering basecamp itself. On our way we’ll keep an eye out for marmots, pikas, mountain goats, and more, while soaking in views of Mt. Rainier and beyond. If the weather cooperates, we could get views of Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams, three of the other major stratovolcanoes in the Cascades range. The Paradise area of Mt. Rainier is full of human history, and we’ll have a chance to explore some of it as we poke around the Paradise Lodge and the Visitors’ Center.
Day 6
- Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1250-2150 feet
- Shuttle to Olympia: 2 hours
Our final day takes us up past a series of torrential waterfalls and a beautiful creek, ending by the magnificent 300-foot drop of Comet Falls. Delicate ferns & subalpine plants, whitewater spray, and polished rock accompany us on this short but steep trail to one of Rainier’s hidden gems. For groups who feel bolder, we can continue up and on towards Van Trump Park, a beautiful alpine meadow filled with flowers and open vistas. We’ll enjoy a final picnic lunch, keep an eye out for any last wildlife sightings, and eventually head back to the car. A two hour drive will have us back at your hotel in Olympia where we’ll say our goodbyes, knowing we’ve had an unforgettable 6 days!
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
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and day pack
- Use of 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.
- 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 communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 3% national park fee that passes through directly to Olympic NP
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- 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, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- 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.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
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 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.
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. uninterrupted for a minimum of 8 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 The Pacific Northwest
This trip covers a dramatic diversity of terrain from seashores to rainforests to alpine peaks and glaciers. The weather will be largely dependent on which ecosystem you’re at the moment hiking in, so it’s best to be prepared for a range of temperatures and conditions. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of the Pacific Northwest:
| 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
Premier Campgrounds
5 NIGHTS
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.
Fantastic Meals
17 MEALS
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
Comfortable Camping
CAMPING AMENITIES
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Reviews
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Sharon M
This was a great experience
The beauty of the area speaks for itself. We were gifted with the clouds moving past so we could see Mt. Ranier. I would go on a hike anywhere if Tyler was leading. He was calm, flexible, funny and an amazing cook on a camping stove. Healthy and delicious food. We had the challenge of rain on some days and I learned new skills dealing with it. I was slower than my hike mates and it wasn’t a problem. I hadn’t camped in 10 years and this was a great experience.
Charlotte Y
A Wonderful Week and Guide
Second trip with Wildland and it exceeded expectations in every way possible! Our guide Lindsey was the BEST EVER, always making sure everyone in our group was comfortable and going the extra mile (incl. a surprise early birthday celebration & boiling water to keep me warm at night). And the hikes and views were priceless. Thank you from me and my mom 😊
Richard F
Trip was Excellent
Another great trip with Wildland. Tyler are guide was excellent. Tyler was fairly new to both Wildland and the Pacific Nortwest, but he did his homework in advance and was very knowledgeable. The food as always very good, especially breakfast and dinner. Despite the rain, we had a good time. The group was fun and we all got along well. The only draw back to this trip are the long rides to trail heads and between parks. But even those were enjoyable with the make up of our group.
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