Hiking Tours in the USA - British Columbia / WA

Vancouver Island - Olympic Peninsula Hiker
 Hike and Sea Kayak the Pacific Northwest

Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula welcome you to a diverse and stunning land of rocky coastline, wave-manicured beaches, spectacular glacier-capped peaks, sparkling lakes, lush meadows, and ancient rainforests teeming with wildlife. On foot, we immerse ourselves in this place of serendipitous discovery. At day's end, escape to the comforts of luxurious retreats and sample the region's finest cuisine. With hiking options galore, this trip is ideal for all abilities.


Itinerary
 

Days 1-2 Olympic National Park. After meeting in Seattle and a scenic ferry, we hike along Dungeness Spit, the largest natural sand "hook" in the States. The next day we venture into Olympic National Park and ascend the broad summit of Elk Mountain featuring grandstand views of the surrounding ice-bound mountains.
Days 3-4 Olympic National Park-Victoria. We then hike to Sol Duc hot springs, a cluster of steaming pools, before boarding a scenic ferry across the stunning Strait of Juan de Fuca to the charming capital city of Victoria. The following day we are introduced to the sport of sea kayaking before feasting on a bounty of seafood at our cozy ocean-side lodge.
Days 5-6 Vancouver Island. Our final two days of hiking are spent along Vancouver Island's renowned coast. First we hike East Sooke Park, where rainforest meets the sea. The next day we explore the revered Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, known for its rugged coastline and windswept bluffs. Finally we return to Seattle for our trip's conclusion.



Inn Highlights:
Our first two nights feature historic Lake Crescent Lodge, located on the shores of its deep-blue namesake. Then we relax in the comforts of Oak Bay Guest House, a turn-of-the-century B&B, before settling into the Ocean Wilderness Inn with its mountain views, private beach, old-growth rain forest, and hot tub.
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  

ZZ-HKW11
Inn Trip:  6 days/5 nights
2008 Dates:
July 20-25
August 10-15
 Trip Rating: Easy to Moderate Easy
 Cost:  $2498
Single Supplement:
$600
Gateway-Meeting: 
Seattle, WA
Activities: hike (5 days)
sea kayak 1 day
hot springs

 
 
 


 

An Inn-to-Inn, Hiking and Sea Kayaking Adventure featuring the best of the Pacific Northwest

Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula welcome you to a diverse and stunning land -- a rocky coastline with primitive marine life and wave-manicured beaches, spectacular glacier-capped peaks and sparkling lakes, lush meadows and ancient rainforests teeming with wildlife. On foot, we immerse ourselves in this place of serendipitous discovery. At day's end, escape to the comforts of luxurious retreats and sample the Pacific Northwest's finest cuisine.

This tour is designed for the fit first-time hikers as well as hiking enthusiasts. Each day's hike is 4-8 miles in length with elevation gains of 100 - 1525'. For those looking for a challenge, there are options to cover more difficult terrain.
 

Day 1. Hike the Dungeness Spit, Port Townsend, Lake Crescent Lodge (private baths)

After meeting in Seattle at 10:00 a.m., we enjoy a scenic shuttle around Pugent Sound to Port Townsend, located on the Olympic Peninsula. We arrive in time for a full afternoon of hiking on the Dungeness Spit. The Spit is a National Wildlife Refuge and one of Olympic Peninsula's most remarkable natural features. Almost seven miles long, it is the longest natural sand hook in the world. The spit's surrounding bay and estuary are home to variety of seabirds, seals, fish, crabs and clams. From the spit, the view of the Olympic Mountains is spectacular!

The historic Lake Crescent Lodge, our home away from home for the next two evenings, is located along the shore of the jewel of the Olympics.

  • Dungeness Spit Trail [3-11 miles, time and energy permitting; negligible elevation change]

Day 2. Hike the Grand Ridge Trail, Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent Lodge

Olympic National Park has received international recognition as both a Biosphere Reserve and as a World Heritage Site. The park contains over 1,200 plants, 300 species of birds and 70 species of mammals, and is one of the most pristine wilderness ecosystems in the contiguous United States.

We will hike to the broad summit of Elk Mountain, where we will be rewarded with colorful blossoms of phlox and dwarf lupine, and grandstand views of the Olympic Mountains, including the park's highest peak Mount Olympus. From the summit we will descend through rolling tundra and into a pine forest at Deer Park.

  • Grand Ridge Trail Hike [7.4 miles; 1260 feet of elevation gain, 2120 feet of elevation loss]
  • Shorter hike to Hurricane Hill and back [3 miles; 800 feet of elevation gain / loss]
Day 3. Hike the Sol Duc Valley, visit the Sol Duc Hot Springs, Oak Bay Guest House (private baths)

In the morning, we hike through the deep woods of the Sol Duc valley (native words for "sparkling water") past a majestic waterfall on a trail known as Lover's Lane. Our trail is begins at Sol Duc hot springs and winds through towering ferns and cedars along the Sol Duc river.

In the afternoon, will have a few hours of free-time to explore Port Angeles before we embark on an unforgettable experience, a ferry ride across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Upon arrival in Victoria, we settle into our Bed & Breakfast and then enjoy a gourmet meal at one of Victoria's fine restaurants.
  • Moderately Easy Option: Hike Lover's Lane [4 miles round trip; elevation change negligible]
  • Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria [approximately 90 minutes]
Day 4. Sea Kayaking Becher Bay, Ocean Wilderness Country Inn (private baths)

Revered as one of the premier destinations for sea kayaking, the west coast of Vancouver Island is a naturalist's paradise. The bays and coves brim with intertidal life, with bald eagles and sea birds flying overhead. After learning the basics of sea kayaking from local guides, we explore the niches of Beecher Bay and a spectacular small island group. With luck we will see seals and sea lions in their natural habitat and possibly an occasional passing gray whale. Killer whales have also been known to frequent the area.

Tonight's lodging is in the town of Sooke, a quaint sea-side community on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Sooke is "where the rainforest meets the sea."

  • Sea Kayaking Becher Bay [mileage variable, full day]
Day 5. Hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail, Ocean Wilderness Country Inn

Today we hike the famed Juan de Fuca Trail from Parkinson Creek to Botanical Beach. Hiking a mild portion of this otherwise rugged trail affords us the beauty of both the beach and a wonderland of temperate rainforest. The trail passes through lands that have been occupied by humans for perhaps 6,500 years. This area is home to the Pacheenaht First Nation, who traditionally lived on the coast during summer. At low tide, we can meander along the tidal pools at Botanical Beach & look for anemones, sea stars, and sea urchins.     

  • Juan de Fuca Marine Trail [moderate section of 6 miles; approximately 4-5 hours, several short sections of up and downs]
Day 6. Hiking East Sooke Park

Today we hike along the jagged headlands that rise above the crashing waves on the Coast trail of Vancouver Island's East Sooke Park. Where rainforest meets the sea, we will experience the lushness of mosses and ferns, as well as the windswept coastline bluffs against emerald green water. Along the Coast trail we will see evidence of the Coast Salish people in a few ancient petroglyphs bruised into rock.

At the end of the day, we return to Seattle via the Victoria Clipper, a super-fast passenger ferry that travels across the Juan de Fuca Strait and through Pugent Sound.

  • Hiking East Sooke Park's Coast Trail [up to 7 miles; Moderately Easy ]
  • Ferry from Vancouver Island to Seattle. [approximately 2 hours]
 
Tour Details

Inn-to-Inn Trip: 6 days/5 nights

Trip Level: Easy to Moderately Easy

Activities: hike (5 days), sea kayak (1 day)

Gateway City: Seattle, Washington

Gateway City Transfer: Public transport is available between the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and downtown Seattle with Metro Transit on Bus 194 (after 8 p.m. ride Bus 174), 206-553-3000. Between the hours of 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. the bus fare is $1.50-$2.00, all other times it is $1.25. For taxi service call: Checker Cab 206-622-1234, Farwest Taxi 206-622-1717, Yellow Cab 206-622-6500. If you are a registered guest at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott, there is a free shuttle from the airport that departs every 15 minutes. Other area hotels have free shuttle-service from the airport, as well.

Meeting Time & Place: 10:00 a.m. at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott, 3201 South 176th Street, 206-241-2000. Please plan to arrive at the inn at the designated meeting time, and not earlier, for the convenience of the innkeeper. We recommend you have brunch before and come prepared to hike. We will have snacks available throughout the day's activity but will not have a full meal until dinner. We recommend you wear comfortable hiking boots with ankle support and wool socks coupled with a thin liner sock and have a jacket accessible, as the weather can be extremely variable on the Olympic Peninsula.

Trip Conclusion: Approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott. It is important that airline departures are scheduled to accommodate this conclusion time. VERY late evening, or next day departure is recommended.

Trip Fees Include: Full day sea kayaking, all meals (dinner day 1-lunch day 6), all accommodations (double occupancy), T-shirt, water bottle, a visit to Sol Duc Hot Springs, support vehicle, ferry rides from Port Angeles to Victoria and from Victoria to Seattle.

Trip Fees Exclude: Airfare, personal insurance, hotel miscellaneous expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.), additional optional tours, services not specified in the tour itinerary, and guide gratuities (as deemed appropriate).