Olympic Mountain School®

Backpacking

Beginners welcome! Take a hike on terrain ranging from the very flat to the very rugged. Let us know your level of challenge, and we will custom tailor a hike to your desires. Want wild running rivers? Secluded coastal beaches? High solitary alpine rock? Dense ancient forests? We can take you to any one or more of these national treasures. Just let us know what your ideal hike would include, and we will find a way to accommodate you.

Olympic Mountain School also offers PORTER SUPPORT SERVICE to help you haul your loads for gear-intensive or longer hikes. For backpackers determined to relax a bit, to enjoy a few weighty comforts, or to help deal with a temporary or permanent disability, this option can mean the difference between your successful adventure and a miserable trip.

Some favorite destinations in Olympic National Park include (all distances are round-trip):

NORTH FORK QUINAULT

• 5 miles: Wolf Bar. The North Fork Quinault River will greet you almost immediately after setting foot upon the trail. Gain terrific views of the river as you weave your way above its banks to the Wolf Bar campsites.
• 13 miles: Elip Creek. Travel even more farther along the river to the very popular Elip Creek campsites.
• 32 miles: Low Divide. Very long day hike for those at the highest level of physical conditioning and the best gear. Great views of Mount Zindorf and the Quinault peaks, and a chance to take a swim in Lakes Mary and Margaret.


EAST FORK QUINAULT
• 5 miles: Pony Bridge. Hike through lush Old Growth and over small streams on this very calming hike. Spend some time watching the river pour through the canyon at Pony Bridge, and relax next to the river.
• 10 miles: Creeks with No Names. Not to be confused with Noname Creek farther north along the trail, these creeks feed the Quinault and offer spectacular views of the river.
• 27 miles: Enchanted Valley Chalet. Very long day hike for those at the highest level of physical conditioning and the best gear. Views of Chimney peak and sheer vertical cliffs of Enchanted Valley. Herds of elk roam the valley, deer linger around the chalet, and bears are notorious for their presence in the valley.


SOUTH COAST
• 3 miles: Third Beach. A gentle hike down to Third Beach for easy views of sea stacks (rock formations off the coast), sandy beach, bald eagles (often), and relaxing coastline.
• 6 miles: Scott's Bluff Area. A hike over beach with over-land crossings with large ladders. Quite a unique experience! More seclusion, sandy beach, and wildlife--perhaps even a seal or an otter.
• 8 miles: Strawberry Point. Even more opportunities for solitude and wildlife! As far as one can reasonably travel in the South Coast coastal backcountry on a day hike.


NORTH COAST: Ozette
• 6 miles:Cape Alava. Hike three miles of boardwalk through a swampy ancient forest leading to the Pacific Ocean. Stellar views of the coastline await on one of the most popular backcountry destination in Olympic National Park.
• 6 miles:Sand Point. Another three miles of boardwalk through the swampy ancient forest leading to the Pacific Ocean. Competes with Cape Alava for the title of most popular backcountry destination in Olympic National Park.
9 miles:Ozette Triangle. Hike 6 miles on boardwalk and three on the beach. See American Indian petroglyphs carved into the rock at Wedding Rocks.

HOH RIVER TRAIL
• 5 miles: Mt. Tom Creek. See unforgettably large trees as they once stood in ancient forests throughout the Olympic Peninsula. The trail is maintained well by the Park Service, and the area is popular for seeing old growth forest. See what amazing creatures grow with 150 inches of rain per year!
• 10 miles: 5-mile Island. Hike along the rushing Hoh River through huge trees and droopy mosses.
• 20 miles: Olympus Guard Station. Similar to 5-mile Island, but closer to the trail junction to the Sol Duc/High Divide (north) and Mount Olympus (south).


ELWHA AREA
• 5 miles: Olympic Hot Springs. Hike along Boulder Creek to the remote and undeveloped Olympic Hot Springs with untreated water. Enter at your own risk!
• 5 miles: Whiskey Bend. Take a loop hike around Humes Ranch, Goblins' Gate, and Krause Bottom.
• 8 miles: Lillian River Camp. Hike along the Elwha river as it crashes through Goblins' Gate before dumping into Lake Mills. Look west to see a high route into the Bailey Range and Mount Olympus, and look south to see the snow-covered Quinault peaks.
• 11 miles: Elkhorn. Beat the crowds by hiking farther into the backcountry along the Elwha to see a larger camp and ranger station.


STAIRCASE
• 8 miles: Spike Camp. Hike along the North Fork of the Skokomish River. Look up to see Wonder Mountain while crossing small streams and passing through tree corridors.
• 16 miles: Flapjack Lakes. From Spike Camp, head for the hills by ascending a steep trail leading to Flapjack Lakes, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Cruiser, and the Sawtooth Ridge. A tougher hike, but worth the views.


DOSEWALLIPS RIVER TRAILS
• 7 miles: Dose Forks. One of the lesser-travelled routes in Olympic since the washing-out of the Dosewallips River Road in 2002. This hike takes you along the gorgeous Dosewallips river up to a new bridge hanging high above the river bottom. The drive to the Dose trailhead is an equally scenic drive along Hood Canal.
• 11 miles: Lake Constance. Lake Constance lies nestled among alpine cliffs and drains into the creek and several inspiring waterfalls you will follow in your ascent. Don't be fooled: this is a tough hike taking you up 3,200 vertical feet of elevation gain in 2 miles. Tough, but worth it!


HURRICANE RIDGE/OBSTRUCTION POINT
• 5 miles: Grand Valley Overlook. A spectacular view of the Bailey Range to the west, Mount Olympus to the southwest, the Quinault peaks southeast of Olympus, and Mt. Anderson and Deception to the south.
• 12 miles: Grand Pass. A view similar to the Grand Valley overlook, but from an elevation of 6,000 feet and overlooking the Royal Basin, Mt. Deception, and Needles area.
• 10 miles: Mt. Angeles (6,454 feet in elevation).Get away from the crowds at Hurricane Ridge and see the wilderness in wilderness. See views similar to the Grand Valley Overlook, but throw in views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north, Mount Baker to the northeast, and Hood Canal to the east. A truly spectacular panorama with an opportunity for some solitude.


SOL DUC
• 5 miles: Sol Duc River Trail. Hike to the famous Sol Duc Falls to see the falls and a nearby shelter. Take a gentle hike along the Sol Duc river trail.
• 6 miles: Deer Lake. Ascend a well-maintained trail to a sub-alpine lake nestled among trees. See how the change in altitude changes the type and density of the trees.
• 12 miles: Bogachiel Peak (5,474 feet in elevation). Rise farther above the surrounding hills to a high promontory from which you can see Mt. Olympus, the Bailey Range, the Hoh River valley, and the 7 Lakes Basin. One of the most spectacular spots in the Olympic Mountains.
• 18 miles: Seven Lakes Basin Loop.You can hike around the entire 7 Lakes Basin and along the High Divide if you are in very good physical condition. You will enter the dense forest only to trade huge trees for huge views along the way, and you will return to the forest in the afternoon or evening with a hike along the Sol Duc River. One must be in excellent physical condition to hike this loop in one day!