Labor Day Weekend! We had three days to play with, and figured it was as good excuse as any to make the extra trek out to the Olympics. We stopped at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles, third in line at 7:15 am (they open at 8:00 am), and we got our permit to camp at 13.3, the last campsite before camping in the quota area and the only one nearby that is large enough for more than 1 tent. The ranger informed us that nobody else was planning on camping there, printed out our permit for the site for the next two nights, and wished us luck! The Hoh River trail starts out fairly gradual, but there are quite a few ups and downs, so don't let the mostly flat elevation profile trick you. Everything is incredibly green - moss covering trunks and draping from branches, fields of ferns and clover ground cover...It's beautiful, and was very refreshing to be exploring something so lush and damp after the summer we've had here in the Pacific Northwest! There are glimpses of the Hoh River occasionally through the lush undergrowth, and once you reach 5 Mile Island, you can pick a secluded spot on the shore for a nice lunch break. This was a popular idea amongst everyone backpacking in further along the trail. As we sat and ate our lunch, we watched some clouds rolling in over the ridge, bringing with them the promise of rain we had seen in the weather forecast. The scenery changes quite a bit on this trail. At one point we were walking through a field of birches! It was beautiful, and we quickly arrived at the Olympus Guard Station about 9 miles in. The volunteer ranger was chatting to everyone passing through. He asked where we were planning on staying, and we mentioned camping at 13.3. He said nobody had gone through yet today with that destination, so we were good to go! We thanked him and continued on the trail, anxious to get to camp and set up our tents before the rains came. The trail started to noticeably gain elevation, and the mileage was quickly tiring our legs at this point; distances seemed much further than they were. We were so happy to finally reach the High Ho bridge around 13 miles, and our campsite just beyond it. Just past the bridge about 0.1 miles is the 13.3 campsite. 13.2 is also marked although very small, and 13.1 is easily missed if you're not trying really hard to find the small trail into the campsite. The next day we hit the trail around 10 am. It begins climbing IMMEDIATELY, and doesn't really stop until you get to the glacier. The clouds hanging around all morning were trying to burn off, and we got some occasional glimpses of blue sky, but it stayed cool and cloudy most of the day. On the hike up, you have views of Mt. Olympus and the White Glacier. We were lucky enough to have a few cloud breaks to see it. There are quite a few sections of the trail that are extremely narrow, with an incredibly steep drop down several hundred feet (or more). It pays to pay attention here and watch your feet, because a trip would be deadly. There is a permanent trail washout past Elk Lake, with a fixed ladder and rope to help you get down the steep and crumbly slope. It's a bit intimidating at first, especially approaching the ladder, but once you get the hang of going down backward it's fine. We spaced out so we wouldn't be on top of one another climbing down. The ladder moves as people step on it, as does the rope when people use it. Just past the ladder climb and before Glacier Meadows there are a couple downed trees from the recent storm. It's pretty easy to climb over them. Besides this, the trail is in decent shape! After Glacier Meadows camp, you quickly reach a meadow and small tarn fed by melting glacial water. The scramble begins here. However, what appears to be the top of the big field of boulders actually is! So the tough climb doesn't last long before you reach the crest and have your first views of the glacier. Everyone said their own variety of expletive when first laying eyes on it. We enjoyed lunch, hanging out on the lateral moraine for about an hour, watching the clouds blow through and occasionally getting better glimpses of the mountain. We'd have stayed longer if it hadn't been so cold! The trip back was much quicker and easier (including the ladder climb), and we were happy to get back early enough to cook and eat dinner in the daylight this time! It rained on us again overnight, although it wasn't quite the downpour we'd had the night before. Luckily it had stopped when we got up around 7 am, as we wanted to be on the trail early. We were hiking by 8:30, and making good pace - about 3 miles per hour. We didn't stop for lunch until just past 5 Mile Island. By this point we were all nearly in tears from our feet hurting so badly. 38 miles is a long way to trek in just 3 days! We tried to keep our mind off the pain by talking about ice cream and favorite meals, musicals and childhood sports...you name it. We got to know one another pretty well on this trip! When we finally saw the sign for the Hall of Mosses trail, I almost wept with joy. We dumped our packs at the car, changed clothes in the visitor center bathrooms, and enjoyed a cold beer at the car before hitting the road. Based on a write-up I'd seen in the WTA magazine awhile back, plus a recommendation from some hiking friends we met at the WIC, we decided to stop in Port Angeles at the Next Door Gastropub. HIGHLY recommended! They have a great beer selection and the burgers and fries (all varieties that we tried) were amazing. Don't miss it if you're in the area. For more pictures and details of the trip, check out my blog linked below! And always my instagram for more pictures of my adventures!

We started off getting to the Quinalt WIC first thing in the morning to get our permits and reservations for a campsite. We asked about availability at the quota'ed campsites past the Olympus Ranger Station and the ranger told us Elk Lake and Glacier Meadows for Friday night were wide open. We were pretty stoked to hear we'd be getting a reservation that day, and decided on the spot that we were going to make the long trek up to Glacier Meadows that night. We kicked off our hike at 10am from the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. The trail was in great condition with no washed out spots or blown down trees. From the start of the trail to the Olympus Ranger Station, approximately 9 miles in, there were two very minor stream crossings and one sketchy log crossing that required a little balance with a pack on. Other than that, it was smooth cruising along the lush valley floor. A few rain showers blew through quickly during this part, so be ready with a parka and water proof your stuff. About 12.4 miles in, we started the climb up to Glacier Meadows. We crossed over the Upper Hoh Bridge and admired the views before heading uphill for the last 5 miles of the hike. This was the most strenuous part of the trek up to Glacier Meadows, and it slowed us down quite a bit. After a bunch of switchbacks and some uphill straightaways, we reached a stream crossing that into Martin Creek and Elk Lake. We continued along the trail and ran into a pair of day hikers, who gave us some tips on finding the trail after the ladder/fixed rope section of the trail. They advised to cross over the run off stream once at the bottom of the ladder, and then turn uphill for a short climb back up to rejoin the trail. Their directions paid off, and we managed that section with no real problems. On the final 200 meters into Glacier Meadows, there's a downed tree that we had to scramble through, but we made into the campsite with some daylight remaining at about 6pm. At Glacier Meadows, one of two privies are open, and the bear wires are in good shape. The campsites were clean and inviting. We stayed at site 11, right next to the stream where we were able to fill up our water bottles with crystal clear snow run-off. The next morning, we woke up at sunrise (6:30am) to make our way to the Blue Glacier. We headed up the trail to the Lateral Moraine. It was a nice, uphill walk through some rocky terrain, but the trail was generally easy to follow. Once we made it to the overlook area, we took in the views for half an hour before heading back to our campsite to pack up and hike out and make our way home later that day. Overall, the 2-day trip was fantastic. The last haul up to Glacier Meadows was a good climb, but the views of the Blue Glacier and Mount Olympus made it all worth it. 5/5 hike.

Beautiful hike, but surprisingly hot. The bugs were also very intense. I made the mistake of wearing blue though, not realizing insects are drawn to that. I no longer wear blue clothing or gear on backcountry trails thanks to this hike. There is plenty of water along the way, at least until you get to timberline, so no need to carry too much as long as you have purification tabs, a filter, or a steripen. I also saw numerous bear tracks while on the hike, including some that appeared overnight around the riverbank where I camped. I also spoke with a group of hikers who came across a black bear on the trail. The bear fled as soon as it saw them. The bears shouldn't pose any problems if you wear a bell to alert them of your presence, you're careful about odors, and you make proper use of a bear vault (or can). Black bears tend to be pretty skittish. Exhausting but beautiful hike.

It was pure serendipity. I just happened to be making one of my rare checks of The Facebook, when I saw some friends were headed out on a two night trip up the Hoh and were looking for someone else to come along. How could I resist? We caught the early ferry, and after a layover for breakfast in Port Angeles, made it to the trailhead about noon. The clouds were thick over Puget Sound, even drizzly, but by the time we hit Sequim, they were gone, never to be seen again. The going was fast on the flat trail through the oddly dry, yet still moss draped rainforest. Amazingly quickly, Lewis Meadows, our camp for the night, appeared. We set up camp and a grand evening was had by all. The following day the plan was to strike out toward Elk Lake. Several of our number stayed at camp, whilst the rest of us loaded our packs for the day and headed up the trail. The trail stayed flat a little bit more, before finally turning upward and away from the valley floor. Crossing the High Hoh (love the name) Bridge was lovely, and soon the somewhat dank Elk Lake presented itself. Lunches materialized from our packs, and we dined and relaxed in the shade by the lake. Though this was intended as the turnaround point, one of our group started telling of the wonders of Glacier Meadows. Suitably impressed, we continued onward. On reaching Glacier Meadows, we discerned that perhaps we had been deceived as to its wonders. At this point most of the group, all pretty tired by this point, decided to turn back. Knowing that I couldn't stand to have come all this way and not push on to the Blue Glacier overlook, I decided to push onward. That final mile or so was pretty brutal, but oh, what wonders did await. I am generally underwhelmed by Mount Olympus, but this was different, truly spectacular. Sadly, I only spent a few moments taking it all in as I had to rush down the trail to catch up with my compatriots. Dinner awaited back at camp, our friends who had stay behind thoughtfully preparing it for us intrepid adventures. A campfire burnt late into the evening (far past my bedtime), and great conviviality ensued. Day three dawned. With nothing left to do but break camp and head home, we packed up and were off, again making excellent time along the nearly perfectly flat trail. Great trip, great camaraderie!

My good buddy Ben and I headed out to the Glacier on a two night backpacking trip. We caught the 5:30 am ferry in Edmonds and were at the the trailhead by 10:30. We did stop for coffee and donuts in Port Angeles at Starbucks and Cock-A-Doodle Donuts. Yummy. The visitor center at the Hoh Rainforest Trailhead is under construction and there is a very small version set up in a portable building. Day One: We hiked 15 miles to Elk Lake and camped. The trail up to here is in good shape. There are some stream crossings where you will need to have good waterproof boots/shoes or just good balance. Day Two: We day hiked up to the Glacier and were treated with old and new bear scat on the trail just past Glacier Meadows. The trail to Glacier Meadows does have a few sections where the trail narrows and a fall could result in bad things happening to you. Just take your time and you will be fine. After those sections is a large avalanche shoot that has a long ladder made of cable with wood steps. There is a rope to assist you as well. Make you way down this and the obstacles are done. We enjoyed the Glacier very much and it was well worth the trip. Also, along this section of the trail we must have seen 200 frogs!! Those little jumpers loved the trail and would hop right out of your ways as you walked on through! Fun stuff! Day Three: We woke early and hit the trail back to the car. We saw Elk in the River cooling themselves from the heat of the day. Overall it was a real fun trip. Things to be aware of if you decide to do this: -It's a long walk in the rainforest to Elk Lake and the rainforest is super cool, but very much the same. If you want to see the rainforest no need to walk this far. However, the glacier and Mount Olympus is worth it! -Bring bug repellent!!! There are small bugs, medium bugs and big bugs! Mosquitoes, flies, ants, flying ants, dragonflies, moths, butterflies, bees of different varieties, centipedes and much more! -Bring fast drying clothes. If it rains you will be glad. If it doesn't rain the humidity will get you and you will be glad. If you backpack or hike regularly you should already have a love for fast drying clothes. -Bring a friend who you enjoy talking to, cause it's a long walk! -Ken