Olympic National Park & Discovery Trail

Meet in Seattle. Hop aboard the Bainbridge Island ferry right in downtown Seattle and cross over to one of the Northwest’s oldest and most charming towns, Port Townsend. Enjoy the maritime history of the town before heading out on the Olympic Discovery Trail to Discovery Bay. This was explorer Captain George Vancouver’s first refuge in Puget Sound; both port and bay are named after his ship. Continue to the small town of Sequim (pronounced “skwim”), the rain-shadow retirement capital of the peninsula and home to Western Washington’s only native cactus – the brittle prickly pear. While not quite a “desert,” less than 30 inches of rain fall here per year. The area is renowned for its agriculture and lavender festivals. It also features the world’s first interactive elk-crossing. The herd-leaders have been fitted with collars which set-off warning signals on the highway when they are in the area.

You’re in for a scenic treat today with a few hills tossed in for fun. From Sequim, pedal over small trestles and through peaceful countryside to the bustling Port Angeles waterfront. Leave civilization behind and enter the Olympic Peninsula wilderness. Stop for a picnic lunch on the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca with views across to Vancouver Island as well as the Olympic Mountains to the south. A challenging stretch from the coast to our lodging may tempt you to hop into the van for a boost. The resort sits on the shores of Lake Crescent, an enormous sapphire-blue, glacier-fed jewel tucked between precipitous mountains on the northern edge of Olympic National Park. At sunset, the lakeside setting is perfect for a stroll or a glass of wine.

Choose your own adventure today. Shuttle to the lodge on the south side of the lake for an easy hike through fabulous old-growth forest to 90-foot Marymere Falls. Head to Sol Duc Hot Springs for a soak and/or a hike to Sol Duc Falls. Explore Lake Crescent by kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Or stay put at the resort and explore the historic Spruce Railroad Trail on the north side of the lake. Lunch and dinner are on your own today (options at both the lodge and at the hot springs). Take your time and enjoy!

Ride through miles of rainforest today from Fairholme on the west end of Lake Crescent to the coast. Towering Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western red cedar, and occasional bright stands of vine maple battle for terrain with sword fern and omnipresent blackberry vines. Have lunch on the shores of tiny Lake Pleasant, a popular local fishing spot (mile 30). From here, you can choose between riding the road or hopping in the van for a transfer out to La Push and Quileute Oceanside Resort on the wild shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll be here two nights, enjoying phenomenal ocean views from your room.

Today we focus our attention on where the land meets the sea. Although the rainforest and mountains garner much of the attention in the guide books, Olympic National Park also includes the longest stretch of wild coastline in the lower 48 states. Hike from Rialto Beach to Hole in the Wall. Tide permitting, we will explore the secrets of the local tidepools. Sea anemones and sea stars, tiny fish and hermit crabs – all make their home here amidst the rocks and sunken jungles of seaweed. In the afternoon, take another hike through moss-carpeted coastal forests to Second Beach, one of the most gorgeous spots on the Olympic Peninsula. “Sea stacks” – tall rock formations separated from the main landmass – rise like specters from swaths of sandy beach. Watch bald eagles command the skies, seals, sea otters and scoters ply the waters, and shorebirds chase the tides on the shore. Or just relax and stay put at Quileute Oceanside Resort to watch the wind-tossed surf.

Today we celebrate our last day with an ascent to the literal high-point of the tour – Hurricane Ridge. Wind truly shapes this land – gusting to over 70 mph, with snows 30-35 feet deep. We climb up through alpine meadows and tree islands, dodging black-tailed deer, mountain goats and Olympic marmots (an endemic species of giant ground squirrel) until we reach Hurricane Hill. At the summit, 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, we conclude the tour with a spectacular ferry ride into downtown Seattle.