Backpacking in Olympic National Park: The Grand Valley
DAY 1
Meet your guide at 4 pm at the Deer Park Campground (5,300’). Get acquainted with everyone in your group as you go over what to pack and what to leave behind. Enjoy a good night’s rest with the cool ocean breeze and the stars above to prepare for our adventure tomorrow. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 0 mi /0′
Day 2
Our day starts with a hearty breakfast at our campground. Soon we will start our first day hiking and head towards the Three Forks campground (2,130’). The trail will give us access into the lower valleys of Cameron Creek, the Gray Wolf River and Grand Creek, the three of which make up the Three Forks. The trail to our camp for the night is a steady, moderately steep descent and we will be sleeping in a completely different environment than the night before. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.2 miles -3,250 (5,300 to 20,50)
DAY 3
Today we will hike an easy descent to Lower Cameron campground. We will be following Cameron Creek as we hike deeper into one of the most magnificent valleys in Olympic National Park. Once we get to camp, we will have plenty of time to relax and prepare for the coming days that we will be climbing in elevation. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.6 miles +1,470 (2,050 to 3,520) (small site)
DAY 4
Today is our first day of significant elevation gain. We will be climbing out of the Cameron Creek drainage and up over the spectacular Grand Pass (6,420’)! The incomparable views are a well deserved reward, and you have the opportunity to climb even higher to summit Grand Pass Peak (6,700’) the tallest point of our trip and only a quarter mile off our main trail! We will meander past alpine lakes for the rest of the day’s hike, and pitch our tents at Grand Lake (4,760’) for the night. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 6.2 miles +2,860,-1,660
DAY 5
Today we will take the Grand Traverse trail to our next campsite at Roaring Winds (6,020’). Aptly named, this campsite is nestled high on the crest of the ridge between Obstruction Point and Deer Park. Views of the Puget Sound and the valley we hiked through, in days prior, open up and we will settle into camp for the night. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 5.5 miles (small site) +2,860’, -1,600’
DAY 6
Our final hike takes us 4.6 miles back to Deer Park Trailhead and Campground (5,300′). We will hike below the summits of Maiden Peak and Green Mountain through alpine meadows and into dense subalpine forests before returning to where we started. Generally, our goal is to finish between 2-4 PM but this can be later due to the human factors within the group. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.6 miles +990, -1,620’
We include backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, pads, trekking poles and eating utensils at NO EXTRA COST as needed. Lastly, all profits from our guided trips go towards our non-profit youth summer camp program.
Note: All trips are subject to Lasting Adventures obtaining the necessary wilderness permits. Although our success rate is 98%, should we not obtain the exact trail-head, a trip of equal quality will be obtained. Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of any peak will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.
*All trips are pending permit availability which we gain 24-weeks in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates.
