Best of Olympic and Rainier Tour
Seattle, WA
5.0 (24 reviews)Trip Highlights
- 2 Amazing National Parks
- Dramatic Diversity
- 3 Historic Park Lodges
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Beautiful Coastlines
- Alpine Lakes & Wildflowers
- Guides Choice Trip
Description
This tour is an opportunity to experience the very best that the Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier have to offer, with a wonderful combination of challenge, adventure, history, diversity and comfort. From high alpine ridges and glaciated volcanoes to dramatic waterfalls and wildlife; from moss-draped giant trees to rugged coastlines and lush rainforests…this trip has it all. And to top it off we’ll stay in historic lodges, three nights near Olympic and two nights near Mount Rainier.
Day by day highlights include a classic ridge traverse in Olympic 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; a hike through the famous Hoh Rainforest, with some of the largest and oldest trees in Washington; an iconic hike on Mount Rainier past the famous Reflection Lakes for stunning views of the volcano and surrounding mountains; an alpine hike through a wonderland of wildflowers for panoramic views of an amazing glacier; and an unforgettable waterfall.
$925 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
The single supplement guarantees your own room. If you would like to forego the single supplement, you can request to be paired with a roommate of the same gender. If we are unsuccessful in pairing you with a roommate, the single supplement will apply.
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:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1800-4600 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb 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 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
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Itinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 800 feet
- Accommodations: Lake Crescent Lodge
This Northwest 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 hike Klahane Ridge out towards Mount Angeles. On a clear day, to our north, we can see across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond. To our east is the snowy cap of Mount Baker rising from the North Cascades, and to our south the glaciated Mount Olympus, with alpine wildflowers in the foreground of every view.
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
- Hiking Mileage: 6-8 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
- Accommodations: Lake Crescent Lodge
On day 2, after a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we’ll head west towards Neah Bay 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 marine life.
We’ll soak up sweeping views of the ocean and mountains, and intimate details of tidal pools crawling with sea creatures as we continue southward towards the Point of Arches. Your guide will serve you a gourmet lunch on the beach, and eventually we will bid farewell to the ocean and hike back to the vehicle. On our way back to our hotel 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
- Accommodations: Kalaloch Lodge
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, we’ll make our way back to the trailhead and head further southwest to our destination for the night, Kalaloch Lodge, right on the Pacific coast. We’ll enjoy a casual stroll down the beach or just relax with a view of the ocean, eat dinner, and fall asleep to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach.
Day 4
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 4 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1150 feet
- Accommodations: National Park Inn
Day four marks our transition from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades and Mount Rainier. Today we explore shimmering alpine lakes, abundant wildlflower blooms, and tumbling waterfalls on the shoulders of North America’s most famous volcano. Mount Rainier stands at 14,411 feet tall, and is the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States.
We will start our hike near scenic Narada Falls, before climbing gradually through gentle forests and abundant blueberry bushes. We’ll hike past famous, beautiful Reflection Lakes, aptly named for their stunning mirror image reflection of Mount Rainier, up to Faraway Rock with panoramic views of lakes and mountains below.
After wrapping up our hike we’ll check in to our accommodations at the historic National Park Inn, and then have time to stroll down the Wonderland Trail just outside the door, or to relax on the veranda with views of Mount Rainier. After a delicious dinner, we’ll 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 serious 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.
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
- 5 nights of double occupancy lodging at historic national park lodges (Lodging Details) (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.
- Transportation for the duration of the trip starting from and ending at your hotel in Olympia, Washington
- 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
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 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
Lake Crescent Lodge
2 NIGHTS
Historic Lake Crescent Lodge was built in the early 20th centry and is a perfect base camp for our Olympic hikes. With a lakefront location and comfortable, spacious rooms, it’s a guest favorite!
Kalaloch Lodge
1 NIGHT
Nestled between scenic beaches and lush, evergreen forests is the amazing, historic Kalaloch Lodge, offering wonderful accommodations, a laid back charm and stunning natural setting. (no wifi)
National Park Inn
2 NIGHTS
Nestled in the trees of the historic Longmire District on Mount Rainier, and a short distance from the Paradise area, this iconic lodge offers a tranquil place to relax and unwind after our hiking excursions.
* 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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- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Annie D
Mystical Trek
A magical, mystical trek with Kyle through breathtaking scenery, knowledge sharing and good companionship. Thank you so very much.
Sherrie H
Did not disappoint!
I love the national parks and these did not disappoint! Michael quickly assessed our group's abilities and found hikes that gave us views and more views. He was punctual but also flexible when needed. The food was great too! I would recommend this company to anyone!
Richard G
Great Experience
The Best of Olympic and Mt. Ranier hiking trip was a great experience. Bot Derek and Jeremy were great leaders. They knew the trails and provided a wealth of information about the wildlife and plant life of the area. They were fun to be with. In addition, the food was great! Wildland Trekking provided the best for us at all times.
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