Hiking
Seattle & the Pacific Northwest
Olympic & Rainier, Washington · 3 days · Moderate
About This Trip
Two of America's most spectacular national parks, back to back. Day one in Olympic: old-growth rainforest, sea arches, and hurricane-force ridge views. Days two and three on Mount Rainier.
Highlights
- Hurricane Hill alpine ridge, sweeping Olympic Peninsula views
- Hoh River old-growth rainforest, moss-draped Sitka spruce
- Hole-in-the-Wall sea arch at Olympic coast
- Skyline Loop at Mount Rainier, glaciers and wildflower meadows
- High Rock, Tolmie Peak, and Mount Fremont fire lookouts
Day-by-Day Plan
Day 1
Olympic National Park: Alpine, Coast, or Rainforest
- Hurricane Hill, 5.3 mi RT, sweeping alpine views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
- Hoh River Trail to 5 Mile Island, old-growth rainforest, Hall of Mosses
- Hole-in-the-Wall, tide-dependent sea arch on the wild Olympic coast
Day 2
Mount Rainier: Skyline Loop and Glacier Views
- Skyline Loop from Paradise, 5.5 mi, Panorama Point, Muir Snowfield views
- Nickel Creek to Cougar Rock, lower elevation, old-growth, quieter crowds
- Comet Falls to Mildred Point, 9 mi, waterfall + elevated Rainier views
Day 3
Rainier Fire Lookouts: High Rock, Tolmie, or Fremont
- High Rock Lookout, 3.8 mi RT, sheer cliffs, 360° Cascades panorama
- Tolmie Peak, 6.8 mi RT, alpine lake reflection of Rainier
- Mount Fremont Lookout, 5.6 mi RT, historic fire tower above the tree line