Vanishing Silence Hiking Experience in Olympic National Park

Start/Finish Seattle, WA Destinations: Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent Hoh Rainforest, Ruby Beach, & Kalaloch Lodge Days: 3 Days Activities: Hiking, Nature Trails, Wildlife Viewing, Beachcombing Activity Levels: All Levels Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners Lodging: Kalaloch Lodge

Itinerary

Day 1: Lake Quinault & Coastal Beaches As you begin the full circumnavigation of the Olympic Peninsula, the first destination will be to one of the least visited and most serene reaches of the national park. Journey south to the Lake Quinault region, home to some of the largest trees in the world. Venture through old growth forests and moss-covered trees as we explore this Southwest corner of the national park. Continue around the Peninsula until you reach the western-most reaches of Washington State and begin to catch glimpses of the wild Pacific Ocean. n sharp contrast to the soaring inland forests, the coastal beaches are lined with forbidding-looking tangles of gnarled spruce and wind-whipped shore pines.

Settle in to your accommodations for the next two nights, where every room has a view of the water. Take an afternoon walk along the coastline, search for beach treasures and soak in the peaceful continuity of the pounding waves against the surf. Dinner tonight is served over the fire overlooking the ocean as we gather to share about our favorite parts of the day. You may wish to turn in early tonight, because tomorrow has a whole new set of adventures waiting for us. Distance: 3-5 miles Elevation: Mostly flat, mild elevation trails

Day 2: Hoh Rainforest Our second day is a true highlight: we delve into the Hoh Rainforest – likely the quietest place in North America. This perspective-altering experience is a powerful re-orientation to sound, our own roots in the natural world, and how we see ourselves in nature. By engaging the world through sound and taking time to truly listen, we give the forest a whole new life and maybe even find some deeper truths that extend beyond the edge of the trees. Once you dive into the intricate beauty of the ecosystem, you’ll never see the forest quite the same. Our relaxed pace allows us to move a few miles into the park, soaking in the subtle details of the place, the story it tells us, learn a little about the language of the birds, and even step into an ancient time when our presence in the forest was guided by a need to hear but not be heard. After a hearty meal of Pacific Northwest cuisine at the Kalaloch Lodge Restaurant, opt to join us for a sunset viewing at the infamous Rialto Beach. We’ll bring blankets, wine, and chocolates and cozy up beneath the golden hues as they begin to mix with the Pacific Ocean. Distance: 6.5 miles Elevation: minimal elevation change

Day 3: Hurricane Ridge This morning, head north towards the famed Lake Crescent, one of the clearest lakes in the U.S. and replete with fantastic legends. Learn about the history of Storm King and the various explanations for the formation of this region and walk narrow forested trail that will bring you to tucked away falls.

After lunch, celebrate our last day with an ascent to the literal high-point of the tour – Hurricane Ridge. This land is shaped by wind – gusting to over 70 mph, with snows 30-35 feet deep during the winter months. We climb up through alpine meadows and tree islands, spying black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and Olympic marmots (an endemic species of giant ground squirrel) until we reach Hurricane Hill. There we are met by sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains to the south and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island to the north. Following our trip into the high-country, our return to Seattle concludes with a spectacular ferry ride across the Puget Sound. Distance: 3-6 miles possible Elevation: mild to moderate sections of trails