OCLB - Olympics National Park Backpack

  • Sun, July 12, 2020
  • 8:00 AM
  • Sun, July 19, 2020
  • 11:59 PM
  • Hoh Rainforest campground
  • 0

Registration


Registration is closed

Great Outdoors OC/LB Chapter presents

Olympics National Park Backpack

July 12 to July 19, 2020

Depending on permit availability and snow depths

To go on this backpack, you must click on the "I'm interested" button by January 1, 2020 and the trip leader will contact you.

Contact Trip Leader: Larry Purtle: E-Mail: lvpurtle@hotmail.com Mobile: 562-485-7149


The Olympics National Park (NP) features temperate rainforests, alpine glaciers, hot springs, and lots of wildlife. This trip starts with the first night in the Hoh Rainforest visitor center campground, five days/ four nights backpacking through the Hoh Rainforest up to Elk Lake and a day hike to the Blue Glacier on the slopes of Mount Olympus, followed by two nights at the Sol Duc Mineral Springs campground and day hiking in the spectacular 7 lakes basin. This trip plan is contingent on receiving the necessary trail permits and camp site reservations, which may not be booked until 6 months prior to the trip. Since the trip leader will be booking the trip January 12, we need to have everyone registered on the Great Outdoors site by January 1, 2020.

Pre-registration is REQUIRED to ensure that there are an adequate number of permits. To go on this backpack, you must click on the "I'm interested" button and the trip leader will contact you.

Cost: Cost estimates here include trail permits, campsite reservations, and first night “GO tea party” snacks only and are subject to change.

GO members: $55

Non-members: $60

Costs to reach the Olympics NP and campgrounds, such as airfare, rental cars, and fuel, NP entrance fee ($30/vehicle), and Sol Duc Resort day use fee ($15) are the responsibility of the participants.

Cancellation policy: full refund if requested in writing by 6/1/2020. No refund after 6/1/2020.

Tentative Trip Schedule:

Day

Activities

1

Arrive at Hoh Rainforest campground and explore the visitor center. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the Hoh Rainforest campground.

2

Backpack 9 miles along the Hoh River trail through rainforest to the Olympic ranger station, gain 350 feet

3

Continue along the Hoh River trail, 5.5 miles to Elk lake, gain about 1600 ft and set up a 2 night base camp.

4

Day hike 3 miles each way to the Blue Glacier, gain about 2400 feet

5

Leave Elk Lake, and hike about 5.5 miles, back to either the Olympic Ranger Station or 4 miles to Lewis Meadows.

6

Hike out to the trail head, about 9 or 10 miles depending on the prior night’s site. Drive to Sol Duc campground (about 1 hr 40 mins). Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the Sol Duc campground. Visit the resort and hot springs (extra $15 fee).

7

Day hike in 7 Lakes Basin around Sol Duc Hot Springs

8

Leave Olympics NP

Important Notes:

  • You are responsible for your own food and gear.

  • You will need your ten essentials. Click here for the list.

  • You need to bring a Bear resistant containers to store food and toiletries. They are REQUIRED! Some campsites have bear wires to hang bags from. Contact the trip leader for specifics. There are reports of coyotes carrying off bags and rodents getting into bags.

  • Water Treatment: The Olympics NP Rangers recommend against iodine and chlorine water treatment because they are ineffective against Cryptosporidium. However, this is more of a concern along the coastal area, so iodine is considered generally okay to use in the inland areas.

  • Hygiene: The campsites in this plan all have pit toilets and toilet paper can be left for composting. Elsewhere, 6” to 8” cat holes 200 feet from water are required, and you are required to pack out your soiled toilet paper.

  • Rain: The Olympics is a rainforest area, so backpacking umbrellas are recommended (growing up in the NW, we always used them on backpacking trips).

  • NP Senior and Annual Passes allow all vehicle occupants into the park at no extra cost

  • Pets: sorry, no pets allowed on this trip.

  • Approximate Drive Distances and Times (from Goggle maps):

    • Portland Airport (PDX) to Hoh Rainforest camp 250 miles 4 hrs 45 min

    • SeaTac Airport (SEA) to Hoh Rainforest camp 208 miles 4 hrs

    • Hoh Rainforest camp to Sol Duc camp 71 miles 1 hr 40 min

    • Sol Duc camp to Sea Tac airport (SEA) - road 170 miles 3 hrs 30 min

    • Sol Duc camp to Sea Tac airport (SEA) - ferry 135 miles 4 hrs

    • Sol Duc Camp to Portland Airport (PDX) 270 miles 5 hrs

  • Contact the trip leader for a list of recommended gear and questions not answered here.

Carpooling is recommended to help reduce gas cost and parking.

Trip Leader: Larry Purtle: E-Mail: lvpurtle@hotmail.com Mobile: 562-485-7149







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