Backpacker Magazine – June 2011

National Parks: Olympic

On a climb from the Hoh River's silty riffles to high-country glacier views, pass through a moss-hung rainforest that might be the lushest place in America.

by: Michael Lanza

Tags:
• National Parks
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• Olympic
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• Washington
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• Destinations
|

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TRIP PLANNER

The way From US 101 south of Forks, turn east on Hoh River Rd. and go 18 miles to the Hoh River trailhead.

Season Higher up, prime hiking starts in July and extends into October. River valleys are usually snow-free even in winter, though fall, winter, and spring bring the rain.

Maps Green Trails Seven Lakes Basin/Mount Olympus Climbing (Hoh River Trail); Tyler Peak (Royal Basin); Mt. Angeles and Tyler Peak (Four Passes Loop); Mt. Steel and The Brothers (Mt. Ellinor); $6 each, greentrails.com

Guidebooks Olympic Mountains Trail Guide, by Robert Wood ($19); Climber’s Guide to the Olympic Mountains, by Olympic Mountain Rescue ($17); both from mountaineersbooks.org

Bear protocol Food canisters are required and available (free, $3 donation suggested) from the Wilderness Information Center.

Permits Required ($5, plus $2/person/night). Reserve no more than 30 days in advance.

Contact Wilderness Information Center, (360) 565-3100, nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wic.htm

Trip data Download GPS tracks and key waypoints—plus view and print custom maps—at backpacker.com/hikes/hohriver.



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