5-Day Olympic Backpacking: Hoh Rainforest to Blue Glacier
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
Participants should have a high level of cardiovascular fitness and experience carrying a loaded pack over multi-day terrain.
Overview
A five-day backpacking loop from the lush Hoh Rainforest to the high views above the Blue Glacier on Mount Olympus. Expect moss-draped forest, open alpine meadows, and a challenging glacier approach with 2,800 feet of gain for dramatic summit views.
5-Day Olympic Backpacking: Hoh Rainforest to Blue Glacier
Select participants and date
You push through the low-hanging limbs and the world turns green. Wet light filters through a canopy thick with spruce and western hemlock, and the trail softens beneath your boots as moss climbs trunks like a slow tide. The Hoh River runs beside you, daring you to slow down; its cold voice keeps time with your steps as the trail moves deeper into old-growth forest.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Pack waterproof footwear
Trails through the Hoh are frequently wet and muddy; waterproof boots with good tread keep your feet warm and reduce blister risk.
Bring a bear-resistant food system
Food storage rules apply — use a bear canister or hang food as instructed to avoid wildlife encounters.
Prep for long, steep gain
The glacier approach is a 6-mile roundtrip with about 2,800 feet of elevation gain; train with weighted hikes beforehand.
Expect variable weather
Even summer days can be cool and showery at higher elevations; layer and carry a waterproof shell.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Black bear
- Roosevelt elk
History
The Hoh and Quinault peoples have long-used these valleys; modern trails follow traditional routes and the park protects both ecological and cultural values.
Conservation
Olympic National Park enforces strict Leave No Trace practices and food storage to protect wildlife; group sizes are limited to reduce campsite impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Forks, WA
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Backpacking pack (40–60L)
Holds your overnight kit, layers, and food for multi-day hikes.
Waterproof backpacking boots
Keeps feet dry and supported on muddy rainforest trails and rocky alpine approaches.
Waterproof shell and insulating midlayer
Protects against rain and cold during high-elevation glacier views and evening camps.
Bear-resistant food canister
Required for safe food storage in Olympic National Park backcountry campsites.