Starting at the Hoh River Trail which is well maintained and well traveled by families and back packers alike, take in the epic rain forest views on your way to the many campsite areas.
There are a couple of river crossings, however most are easily crossed using balance and the fallen logs.
Great camp sites right on the river, including on the sandbar itself at about 9.57 miles in.
There are plenty of campsites either permitted or first come first serve basis. If you're planning to make it to Olympus, I would suggest pressing further on.
You will find some fallen trees over the trail as you make your way up towards Elk Lake, this portion of the hike is steep. If you're thinking about just doing a day hike to the glacier it may be more worth your while to camp at one of the lower camps and take your day pack up, save yourself the effort of hauling a pack up this steep section.
Between Elk Lake and Glacier Meadows is the ladder of doom. This ladder is high, and long. You will need to edge your way out onto the exposed washout and lower yourself with the rope down to the ladder itself. You go down the ladder first. You can either climb the ladder with hands and feet, or remain hanging onto the rope and step down the ladder rungs. The ladder is missing some holds, either fallen away or splintered and sticking out, so hang in there. It is worth saying, going down is worse, but get it over with knowing that you get to go up later and it is WAY easier.
You will shortly arrive in Glacier Meadows then up you go to the Glacier. This hike is often described as "character building" which is a nice way of saying it is brutal. It is steep climbing on boulders, some steady and some not so steady, it can feel like it will never end. But it will! You will arrive at the ridge line to get the epic view of that Glacier. This last steep section of the hike and the ridge line itself is very exposed and offers no shade, bring a hat and your motivation.
In total from Hoh River to Blue Glacier and back:
37.55 miles
5745 elevation gain
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