We’ll assemble early morning of Day 1 in Seattle and van shuttle to Kalaloch on the windswept beaches of the Pacific. We’ll have the full afternoon to explore the tide pools and fascinating rock formations along the beach and then spend the night oceanside (5 miles).
Day 2 will be devoted to the Hoh Rain Forest and a moderate valley trek along the Hoh River deep into this magnificent forest of giant hemlocks, cedar, spruce, fir and maple. Our goal is Happy Four Camp before returning to our trailhead at the Hoh Visitor Center (10 miles). We return to Kalaloch Lodge for the night.
On Day 3, we’re headed toward land’s end near the peninsula’s northwestern tip. We’ll spend this day exploring Washington’s wild wilderness coast, whose pounding surf is surpassed in violence only by that of Tierra Del Fuego along the entirety of the Pacific shoreline. The hike leads us past the wide beaches, needle-like stacks of rock, and abundant marine wildlife, all of which conspire to create a never-to-be-forgotten coastal experience (6 miles). It’s then off to the Sol Duc Valley and the Sol Duc Resort, arriving early enough to enjoy a good soak in the resort’s hot springs pool.
Early morning of Day 4, we’ll shuttle to the end of the Sol Duc Road and hike above Sol Duc to Sol Duc Falls and beyond on the Deer Lake Trail. The hearty can continue past the shoreline of Deer Lake along the slopes of Bogachiel Peak. The High Divide Trail emerges onto Bogachiel’s southern slope, where mighty Mt. Olympus dominates the southern horizon (8-10 miles).
Following a second night at Sol Duc, we’re off to the Elwha Valley on Day 5. We’ll walk along the mighty Elwha, occasionally climbing above the boiling river as it plunges dramatically to the Pacific. We’ll reach Altair Campground, which is no longer accessible by car, and can continue up the deserted road to Glines Canyon Dam Spillway Overlook before our turnaround (8 miles). We’re then headed to Port Angeles for our final night.
Don’t plan an early flight on our final day, Day 6, because we have a full day planned in the alpine reaches of Hurricane Ridge. From Hurricane Ridge, we’ll hike above the trees to Hurricane Hill, with its sweeping views of the snowclad peaks of the Bailey Range. We may also venture out to Obstruction Point for more above-timberline alpine excitement, or settle for the tamer, but no less beautiful Klahhane Ridge (6 miles). Ultimately, we will have to leave this wonderland for our return to Seattle where the Olympic National Park Hiking Trip concludes.
