Mount Olympus Itinerary

Day 0 – Gear Check and Orientation

Mandatory 10 a.m. gear check at Alpine Ascents’ Seattle office to ensure that everyone is fully equipped and prepared for the climb. Rental gear is fitted and packed at this time.

We’ll also review the functionality of each piece of gear, packing our backpacks, wilderness ethics, and Leave No Trace practices. Duration: Approximately 2 hours.

Climbers then have the rest of the day to drive out to the Olympic Peninsula if they choose to lodge there the night before the climb.

Day 1 – Hoh Ranger Station to Olympic Guard Station

We will meet at 8 a.m. at the Hoh River Ranger Station (580 ft). After picking up our climbing permits from the ranger station, we will hike roughly 9 flat miles along the Hoh River Trail through ancient trees and hundreds of varieties of moss.

The lush forests of the Hoh Valley are some of the most spectacular examples of primeval temperate rainforest in the lower 48. We’ll make camp at the Olympic Guard Station (950 ft), which is conveniently situated next to the river and surrounded by forest and subalpine meadows.

We will close out the day with a delicious meal prepared by the guides while basking in the greenery of the forest.

• Altitudes: Hoh Ranger Station – 580 ft / Olympic Guard Station – 950 ft
• Elevation Change: 700 ft ↑ / 300 ft ↓
• Mileage: 9 mi ↑
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours ↑

Day 2 – Olympic Guard Station to Glacier Meadows

After a cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast, we will break camp and continue hiking up the Hoh River Valley. In about four miles, we’ll cross the Hoh River Bridge (1,400 ft) over a deep gorge, signaling our departure from the verdant Hoh Valley.

In two more miles, we’ll reach Elk Lake (2,500 ft), where the trail steepens and we begin to gain elevation in earnest. Four miles and 1,700 ft after Elk Lake, we’ll reach our camp for the evening at Glacier Meadows (4,200 ft).

After establishing camp, we will train for our summit bid with a snow climbing school covering cramponing, ice axe usage, and rope travel before going to bed.

• Altitudes: Olympic Guard Station – 950 ft / Glacier Meadows – 4,200 ft
• Elevation Change: 3,850 ft ↑ / 600 ft ↓
• Mileage: 8 mi ↑
• Hiking Time: 6-7 hours ↑

Day 3 – Glacier Meadows to Summit to Glacier Meadows

Summit day! We will rise before the sun and hike through the meadow and up the Blue Glacier moraine for about an hour before descending the moraine onto the Blue Glacier.

After roping up, we cross the Blue Glacier and ascend to the top of the “Snow Dome” (6,600 ft), where we will enjoy great views of the East, Middle, and West peaks of Mount Olympus.

From the Snow Dome, we’ll pass the five-fingered false summit and drop into the saddle between the false summit and the true summit. With our objective now in sight, we’ll climb steep snow to an 80 ft summit rock. An exciting low 5th class scramble will take us to the very top.

On the summit, we’ll bask in panoramic views of the Bailey Range and the Panic Peak area before descending back to our camp at Glacier Meadows for the night.

• Altitudes: Glacier Meadows – 4,200 ft / Summit – 7,980 ft
• Elevation Change: 3,780 ft ↑ / 3,780 ft ↓
• Mileage: 8 mi ↑
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours ↑ / 3-4 hours ↓

Day 4 – Glacier Meadows to Happy Four Camp

We have a relaxing start to the day and have the opportunity to spot and photograph the black bears which frequent the area around Glacier Meadows.

We then pack up our camp and begin the hike down to the Hoh River Valley, where we will establish our camp along the river.

• Altitudes: Glacier Meadows – 4,200 ft / Happy Four Camp – 800 ft
• Elevation Change: 600 ft ↑ / 4,000 ft ↓
• Mileage: 11 mi ↑
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ↓

Day 5 – Happy Four Camp to Hoh Ranger Station

We’ll hike the final distance along the river and through the old growth forest, aiming to reach the trailhead in the early afternoon.

• Altitudes: Happy Four Camp – 800 ft / Hoh Ranger Station – 580 ft
• Elevation Change: 220 ft ↓
• Mileage: 6 mi ↑
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours ↓