4 Days Hiking & Camping Olympic Mountains
Four days in Olympic National Park based from the mountain town of Port Angeles. Hike the Hoh Rain Forest, summit Mount Olympus (7,965 ft), and camp by Humes Glacier. It's a crash course in Pacific Northwest ecology—from dripping Sitka spruce to subalpine meadows and permanent ice.
What to expect
- Hike through the Hoh Rain Forest; moss-draped Sitka spruce and Roosevelt elk herds.
- Ascend Mount Olympus (17.3 mi round trip) to snowfields and a true alpine summit.
- Camp at Blue Glacier base; wake up under avalanche-carved Humes Glacier.
- Descend via Hoh River Trail, spotting spawning salmon and bald eagles in late summer.
- Visit Obstruction Point for 360° views of the park—Hurricane Ridge drive is open mid-July to October.
Day by day
Drive to Port Angeles; pick up permits at the Hoh River Ranger Station (45 min south).
Warm-up hike: Hoh River Trail 4 miles to Olympus Guard Station (2 hours, minimal elevation gain).
Camp at Hoh Rain Forest Campground; watch Roosevelt elk graze in meadows at dusk.
Start at 5 am from Olympus Guard Station; hike 7 miles through old-growth forest (4 hours).
Reach Blue Glacier basin; camp at 6,700 ft; acclimate and scout the route to the summit.
Rest and rehydrate; eat extra carbs; prepare crampons if experienced with ice climbing.
Alpine start: 5 am from camp; traverse snowfields and crevasses (8 mi round trip, 6 hours).
Reach the summit (7,965 ft); 360° views of the Pacific, Cascades, and Mount Rainier on clear days.
Descend to camp; exhausted but exhilarated; warm dinner and early sleep.
Break camp and descend 4 miles back to Olympus Guard Station (3 hours).
Hike down Hoh River Trail 4 miles to parking (2 hours); spot salmon and eagles.
Drive to Port Angeles for hot dinner; shower and reflect on four days in the Olympics.
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