5-Day Hoh And Blue Glacier Trek

5-Day Olympic Backpacking - Hoh Rainforest and the Blue Glacier runs through Lasting Adventures. Rated 5.0 across 4 reviews. Runs 5 days. From $2400.

Overview

Five days on foot through Olympic National Park, from the Hoh Rain Forest trailhead near Forks to the overlook above the Blue Glacier. The route starts in old-growth temperate rainforest, works up through alpine lakes and meadows, and finishes with views of Mt. Olympus and the glacier itself. Along the way the group camps at wilderness sites each night.

The trip is run by Lasting Adventures, a non-profit guide service that also operates in Yosemite National Park. Proceeds help fund scholarships so disadvantaged youth can join its summer backpacking series. Groups are small, capped at 5 travellers.

This is a trip for people with strong fitness. The listing states plainly that participants should be in solid physical condition, and anyone with back problems, heart conditions, or who are pregnant is advised against joining. In exchange for the effort, hikers cross several of the park's ecosystems in one trek and may spot deer, elk, or bears.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Hoh Rain ForestThe trip starts at the Hoh Rain Forest, 18113 Upper Hoh Rd, Forks, WA. The first day covers 6 hours here, with backcountry camping at a wilderness campsite and lunch and dinner provided. The park entrance pass is not included for this stop.
2. Trek to Lewis MeadowsDay 2 is a full day on the trail to Lewis Meadows, with backcountry camping and breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
3. Climb to the Blue GlacierDay 3 heads up to the Blue Glacier, camping overnight in the backcountry with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided.
4. Views of Mount OlympusDay 4 centers on Mount Olympus and the return toward the rainforest, again with backcountry camping and three meals.
5. Final rainforest walkDay 5 is a 15-hour final walk back through the Hoh Rain Forest, ending at the original meeting point. Breakfast and lunch are included, with no accommodation on this last day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape whether this trip works for you, drawn from the listing itself.

• Fitness level. The listing is direct about this: travellers should have a strong physical fitness level. Five consecutive days of backpacking with a loaded pack is the baseline, not a stretch goal. People with back problems or heart conditions are told not to book.
• Group size. The group is capped at 5 travellers. That means meals, pace, and camp chores happen as a small team rather than a loose crowd.
• Meals provided. Four breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners are included, covering the trail days. Guide gratuities are not included, so budget a tip separately if the service earns it.
• Park pass. The Olympic National Park entrance pass is not included and costs US$30 per booking. Bring or buy that separately, since the first day's itinerary notes admission is not covered.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. Everyone meets at the Hoh Rain Forest trailhead at 18113 Upper Hoh Rd, Forks, WA, and the trip ends back at that same point. Plan your own transport to Forks and the trailhead.
• Booking and dates. Departures are limited, with 2026 dates listed from late July through late September. All dates stay tentative until confirmed in mid-April, so confirmation may take up to 48 hours after booking. A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Common issues. The listing itself flags the main constraints. The trip is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with heart problems or serious medical conditions. Weather can force a cancellation, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered, and the same applies if the minimum number of travellers is not met.

How To Decide