WASHINGTON -Olympic Peninsula, San Juan Islands, St. Helens and Mt. Rainier
WASHINGTON STATE
What a combination! We begin with a hike and visit to the mysterious and magnificent Mt. St. Helens, explore the diverse Olympic Peninsula with its old-growth forests and coastal tide pools, enjoy whale watching and sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands and finish with three days at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Mt. St Helens is a magnificent Volcano and if you haven't seen St. Helens since its eruption in 1980, it’s well worth the visit.
The Olympic Peninsula is not a landscape that can be appreciated at a glance. One must linger awhile and walk among the trees. Sunbeams pierce the treetops, dappling the shadows. Illuminated by these rays, cushions of moss glow among ferns on tree limbs above the trail. One is transported to a magical realm, humbled by the giant trees that rise silently toward the sky.
After enjoying our time on the Coast, we’ll spend two days enjoying whale watching and sea kayaking in Puget Sound, two of the top activities in the Pacific Northwest. Towering 14,411 feet over Puget Sound and dominating the horizon for hundreds of miles, Mt. Rainier is the tallest volcano in the 48 contiguous states and the highest mountain in Washington. It boasts the largest single-peak glacial system outside of Alaska. Mt. Rainier National Park offers rich conifer forests, wildlife, waterfalls, glaciers, vibrant fields of wildflowers and acres of blackberries perfect for making pies.
We will wander through wildflower meadows and splash in the Pacific Ocean. Be prepared to learn about rainforest regeneration, tide pool ecosystems, and the geology of volcanic activity – in other words, come with a taste for adventure, a vivid imagination, and the desire to have an amazing experience!
ITINERARY (May change at the discretion of the trip leader):
Pre-trip The trip officially begins at 9:00 am on Day 1 after breakfast. We strongly recommend, however, that you overnight in the Portland area the night before.
Day 1 From Portland we head north and east into the beautiful, but stark, area of devastation left by the explosive eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. Our hike from the Johnston Ridge Visitor Center, opened in 1997, offers dramatic views into this still smoldering crater and its growing 920-foot lava dome. 5-11 miles and 400 foot elevation gain. L,D
Day 2 We board our passenger van and head to the stunning and diverse landscape of the Olympic Peninsula. Today’s variety will delight you. We begin with an exploration of the tide pools and beach close to our lodge. This section of beach is the only contiguous wilderness beach in the continental United States. It’s a pristine section of the Pacific Coast bordered by old-growth rainforest. First we walk along quartz-studded Ruby Beach, named because the beach glows with a hint of red in the sunshine. Opportunities abound to explore the tide pools and see starfish in colors so brilliant they can’t be real, along with mussels, sea urchins, limpets, and sea cucumbers, seals and possibly river otters. We will learn about the native peoples of this area and the tragic story of nearby Destruction Island. Ruby Beach is also a predominant eagle habitat, so keep your eyes to the skies. Next, we are off to Second Beach, which many consider the most beautiful beach in the area. There we will take time to notice the small things that surround us: tiny sea creatures that at first glance appear to be rocks, and sand in a countless array of colors. We will have time for an old fashioned picnic on the beach, and, who knows, maybe even a blackberry cobbler or pie for dessert. Finally, we head to our beachfront accommodation in Kalaloch for the next 2 nights. 4-7 miles with minimum elevation gain. B,L,D
Day 3 Hoh Rain Forest. Today, we will be joined by a local guide who will explain more about this complex and unique habitat. We’ll hike a special section along the Hoh River and the Hall of Mosses Trail. As we walk along our forest trails, we’ll follow the Hoh River and gaze upward at Sitka spruce that reach heights of 275 feet and measure 8 feet in diameter. We’ll also meet the infamous banana slug, native to the area. B,L,D
Day 4 Today we head to the San Juan Islands for some whale watching, sea kayaking and time to relax in one of Nature’s finest landscapes. The waters around the San Juan Islands are known to be some of the best in the world for seeing Orcas, or Killer Whales. In addition, other wildlife we’re likely to encounter on our cruise include the Dalls Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, Minke Whales, Grey Whales, Bald Eagles and more. During the summer months, the waters around the San Juan Islands are rich with a variety of salmon, a favorite of the Orcas. Overnight near Friday Harbor. B,D
Day 5 After an evening relaxing at our lodging, we’ll head to the water again to try our hand at sea kayaking along the rugged coastline of the San Juan Islands. During our time on the water, we’ll again see an amazing variety of wildlife, including Orcas, Seals and Sea Lions, Eagles and much more. As we paddle, we’ll be surrounded by expansive ocean views, a panorama of snow covered mountains and majestic forests. B,L,D
Day 6 Today we take a spectacular drive to Mount Rainier National Park. Prepare yourself for wildflowers, glaciers and of course Rainier itself. We’ll have time for a short hike near the entrance of the park this afternoon. Our accommodations at the Nisqually Lodge provide easy access to the park’s entrance. B,L,D
Day 7 Mt. Rainier. Reflection Lakes Trail. 5.5 miles roundtrip. A moderate hike through deep forest, meadows alive with wildflowers, and beautiful views of Mt. Rainier. Last year’s flowers were the best in five years. Don’t forget your camera! B,L,D
Day 8 The Skyline Trail. 5.5 miles with 1,580’ elevation gain. More stunning views! We head up the Skyline Trail, walking next to the very base of Mt. Rainier, enjoying more displays of bear grass, avalanche lilies, and paintbrush in an artist’s palette of colors, all the while watching for our first glimpses of Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and Mt. St. Helen’s. As we ascend, marmots will entertain us as they frolic on snowfields and sun themselves on rocks. We will have lunch near a large snowfield where climbers practice snow skills before they are allowed to attempt the summit. B,L,D
Day 9 We bid farewell to the majestic mountains and travel to Seattle for flights home. Flights can be arranged any time after 12:00 noon. B
THE DETAILS
Dates: July 21-29, 2010
Land Cost: $2495.00 (U.S. Funds)
Single: $375.00 (U.S. Funds) if available
Lodging: Motels/Lodges
Trip Begins: Portland, Oregon Trip Ends: Seattle, Washington
Difficulty: Moderate. The hikes average 4-7 miles daily. The terrain is varied but for the most part Is fairly moderate through forests, along coastal beaches, and in the mountain areas of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens.
WHAT WE PR0VIDE:
Walking The World experienced guides
8 nights accommodation (Double Occupancy) All ground transportation while on tour
Meals as listed (B, L, D)
All admission fees to scheduled stops
Walking The World T-Shirt or Hat
Good fun, humor, and companionship
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