Teen Adventure Summer Camps: 13 Day Olympic Backpacking Program
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary only. While we do our best to replicate the itinerary described below, our itineraries and destinations in Olympic National Park are dependent upon a number of external factors, including weather, snow levels, and the ongoing mountain goat removal project. In the event that we must adjust the itinerary, parents will be notified by email with ample notice prior to the trip dates.
Day 1: You will meet your Guides/Counselors and will have time to meet your group as well as learn about your backpacking gear. After a group orientation, we will answer any last parent or participant questions before getting to know each other and spending the rest of the day exploring the geography of beautiful Lake Crescent. The day will end with evening activities strengthening our bonds and learning more about the weeks ahead, before settling into camp for the night at Fairholme Boat Launch.
Day 2: The first half of our journey will take us to the beaches of the Olympic Coast. After taking a shuttle from our camp to La Push, we will begin our hike on the beach with sea stacks towering in the ocean next to us. Today we will hike about 4 miles to Chilean Memorial Campground, where we will relax for our first night of many in the backcountry.
Day 3: After our first day warming up our legs, we continue today hiking about 6 miles along the beautiful Pacific coastline. Today will be our first chance to practice navigating tides, hiking in and out of the coastal forest above the ocean. We will camp on the beach tonight listening to the sound of the ocean waves and watching the stars as we share stories and play games together on the endless stretches of sand.
Day 4: Today we will hike about 5 miles to Yellow Banks campsite while learning about the Olympic Wilderness and history through storytelling. We will have the chance to learn about tidal pools, and perhaps be lucky enough to see ocean life such as sea otters, sea lions, whales, eagles, flocks of pelicans, sea stars, anemones, and much more.
Day 5: Today our destination is about 5 miles further at Cape Alava; a stunningly beautiful camp on the beach and the northernmost part of our journey. Along the way, we will keep watch for historical and culturally significant petroglyphs estimated to be 300 to 500 years old. We will have time today to explore further north along the coast for a day hike and enjoy a sunset over the ocean while relaxing on massive driftwood logs at the westernmost point of the contiguous U.S.
Day 6: On our final day on the coast, we will hike 3 miles through the ancient coastal forest; a dramatic shift from the previous days on the beach. We will pass through coastal meadows and bogs before meeting a shuttle at the Ozette Trailhead and be transported to the Sol Duc Campground where we will celebrate the halfway point of our journey with ice cream and a re-supply of fresh food and a clean change of clothes.
Day 7: Today is a well deserved “Zero Day”. We will rest today and enjoy the area around the campground. There will be an opportunity for some mellow day hiking and we can prepare for the next half of our trip starting tomorrow.
Day 8: After a night of rest, we will have the chance to sleep in this morning! Our hike today will take us 3.5 miles to picturesque Mink Lake high in the mountains and surrounded by deep, dense forest. We will settle in for our first night in the mountainous backcountry with an entirely different perspective of the same national park.
Day 9: After our regular morning circle time we will embark on one of our more strenuous days of uphill as we travel to Deer Lake. By now we will have had plenty of practice in trail games and keeping spirits high as we pass through forests draped in mosses and slime molds. There is an alpine lake at camp today, and after we have had time to set up our camp, we will get to wade in the water and relax as we watch the alpine glow of the mountains reflected in the water.
Day 10: Today will be another long day, hiking over 6 miles to CB Flats Campground. Yes the day will be strenuous, but after more than a week of hiking together we will have found a rhythm to make the time pass. We will have the chance to look back on the valleys and lakes below, where we can see just how far we have come already. We will finish our day with a descent past beautiful Hoh Lake and camp in a more secluded area near meadows of wildflowers.
Day 11: Today we will hike about 5 miles to Sol Duc Park. Along the way, we will hike across the High Divide which provides unparalleled views of the Olympic and Bailey mountain ranges. We will break for lunch at one of the passes and relax near alpine lakes, mountain creeks, and meadows of wildflowers. We might even have the opportunity for sledding and snowball fights! Hiking through the Seven Lakes Basin is an unforgettable experience and our sleep tonight will be well deserved.
Day 12: On our second to last day, we will have an easier hike. Continuing about 2 miles to Seven Mile Group Site, we will have the chance to relax for a good part of the day as we prepare to reenter the front country tomorrow. We will take our time identifying all of the flora and fauna of the forest and spend the afternoon learning about the geological, cultural, and human history of this part of the park as we relax in the shade of giant trees near the river.
Day 13: On our final day we will pass by the famous Sol Duc Falls, reflecting on our long journey, as we descend to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort by noon for pickup.
Other: On all of our summer camps, we have a daily circle time in the morning where youth engage in group games, share highlights, offer encouragement and support to each other, stretch, review maps and day itineraries, and set individual and group goals for the day. Also, whether breaking on the trail or in the afternoon or evening in the campsite, our Guides facilitate additional opportunities for youth to develop a personal connection with nature. Problem-solving and initiative games are common as are smiles. Additional outdoor skills are gained as we practice Leave No Trace principles and promote environmental stewardship throughout the length of the program.
Drop-off/pick-up time & location: Our 13-day program begins at the Fairholme Boat Launch at the west end of Lake Crescent at 12pm on Sundays and ends at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort at 12pm on Friday.
Scholarship Application – Every youth deserves this opportunity!
