Olympic National Park Sampler - National Outings Trip With Rich Johnson

Trip Number: 08271A; Price: $1195; Deposit: $200

Olympic National Park in northwestern Washington State has been designated both an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. These designations acknowledge the valuable diversity of the park's natural wonders -- qualities that people worldwide have celebrated for years. This area is home to both freshwater and saltwater beaches (sandy and rocky); rivers and lakes; mountains and glaciers; valley streams and waterfalls; rare, temperate rainforests; and hot springs. The park encompasses two parts of the Olympic Peninsula -- the interior mountains and the coastal strip -- and is 95 percent wilderness.

From our accommodations on beautiful Lake Crescent at the park's northern edge, we'll take daily hiking tours into the park. Olympic wildlife includes black bears, marmots, bald eagles, and salmon. Several world record-size trees are among the remaining giants of America's old-growth forests. All flora and fauna within the park are protected, not the case in other areas of the Olympic Peninsula.

Though rugged, the Olympic Mountains are all less than 8,000 feet, so we do not have to acclimate to high altitudes. The park has a good trail system, and we'll make good use of it, hiking in the Hoh Rain Forest, on Hurricane Ridge, through the Sol Duc Valley (with a swim in the hot springs at the end of the day), to Rialto Beach, to Marymere Falls, and into the Elwha River Valley. These plans aren't set in stone, though. Each morning, we'll determine what to do that day, taking the weather and the tide schedules into account. Guest speakers are scheduled to join us for dinner and evening talks. There are some wonderful nature trails near the lodge for free-time walks.

The trip will begin at 1 p.m. on day one. We will meet at the Olympic Park Institute, west of Port Angeles, Washington. After getting acquainted, we'll take our first hike. Following this afternoon activity, we will check in at Rosemary Inn by 5 p.m. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. The trip will end on Friday after our hike in the Elwha River valley, between 3 and 4 p.m. Transportation to trailheads will be provided each day.

The nearest large airport is Seattle-Tacoma, across Puget Sound from the Olympic Peninsula. SeaTac airport is approximately 3.5 hours by car from Lake Crescent. Those arriving by car may use ferries from the Seattle area or from Victoria, British Columbia. Commercial shuttle services may also be taken from SeaTac. A small airport in Port Angeles has regular connections to SeaTac. The Port Angeles airport is about a 30-minute drive from Rosemary Inn. A backpacker shuttle can be arranged with a local commercial van line. Trip leaders will send out more detailed information to registered participants.

 Accommodations and Food

We will stay at Rosemary Inn, a part of the Olympic Park Institute. It offers a dining and meeting space in the main building and nearby cabins for sleeping. The inn is on the National Registry of Historic Sites. Each cabin accommodates two people. Sheets, blankets, and pillows will be supplied. You must bring your own towels.

We'll eat in the dining room of the main lodge. Vegetarian and special diets can be accommodated if you let us know in advance. The first meal at Rosemary Inn will be dinner on day one and the last meal will be a sack lunch on the final day of the trip.

Our cabins share bathhouse facilities in a separate, nearby building. Because Rosemary Inn provides accommodations to a variety of groups, others may be staying there while we are.

Rosemary Inn is on the south shore of Lake Crescent, within Olympic National Park. We will drive each day to our hike, taking our lunch with us and returning each evening in time for dinner. The environment around Rosemary Inn is truly magnificent, with a beautiful waterfront, old-growth forest on the grounds, and a spectacular alpine view across the water. 

Trip Difficulty 

Day hikes are moderate in difficulty and will range from three to eight miles in distance, with up to 1,600-foot gains and losses. The hikes are generally on well-maintained trails or on sandy, rocky beaches. You should be in good physical condition, able to hike all day, every day, while carrying a day pack. We might encounter mixed weather, from cool, rainy days to lovely, late-summer warmth.

The principal criteria for acceptance on this trip are physical and cardiovascular fitness and an open attitude toward moderately challenging group hikes. A regular fitness program is beneficial. Minimum age is 18.  

Equipment and Clothing 

You will need towels, a sturdy day pack, good wet-weather gear, two water bottles, broken-in hiking boots, warm fleece or sweaters, clothing to layer for different weather needs, sunscreen, bug repellent, sunglasses, and binoculars, and camera (if desired) to bring with you on the hikes. Leaders will send a more detailed equipment list to registered participants.

Books

• Warren, Henry C., Olympic: The Story Behind the Scenery
• Wood, Robert L., The Land that Slept Late
• Wood, Robert L., Olympic Mountains Trail Guide

Conservation

The harvesting of old-growth and surrounding forests has sparked controversy throughout the Pacific Northwest. We'll also discuss whaling by Native Americans, saving the salmon, and dam removal on the rivers. All are complex issues, involving jobs and the clash between traditional ways of life and ecosystem protection for many species, including endangered mammals and birds.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Rich Johnson is a longtime Sierra Club member who lives near Seattle and hikes in Washington, British Columbia and further afield whenever he can get away from his software training job. He is active in the regional Sierra Club chapter, leading hikes in the Central and North Cascades. He is a board member of Washington Trails Association, maintaining trails, leading hikes and lobbying for more trail funding. Rich also like to sea kayak, canoe, and cross country ski. E-mail: rich.hiking@yahoo.com

Cheryl Wagner is an avid hiker who has learned that a day in the woods is the best way to clear her mind. She enjoys organic gardening, cross country skiing, skate skiing and loves taking her dog out hiking when ever possible. She is an assistant crew leader for Washington Trails Association and is becoming addicted to week long service trips.Email: javadog8@yahoo.com