Tour Overview
7:30 AM: Sol Duc, Lake Crescent, and Hurricane Ridge Tour (8-9 Hours)
About the Tour
This guided tour combines three unique ecosystems of Olympic National Park into one action-packed day-trip. The morning explorations begin with a scenic drive into the Sol Duc River Valley where we will walk amongst ancient old-growth evergreen trails to various viewpoints of the river, concluding with a scenic hike to Sol Duc Falls. After the Sol Duc, Lake Crescent offers stunning lakeside views and moss-laden trails to Marymere Falls. And finally, in the afternoon, our tour group will enjoy a 5,000 foot, 17-mile headstart by exploring subalpine trails from the Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains.
Tour Price
$125 per person + taxes/fees
Tour Schedule
April 1 - May 22: Sunday
May 23 - Sept 15: Friday, Sunday
Sept 15 - Oct 31: Sunday
Tour Gallery
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Tour Summary
Itinerary Description
Sol Duc: Departing from our Port Angeles Tour Office, our tour group will enjoy a scenic a 1 hour 15 minute drive west on Highway 101 past notable Olympic National Park landmarks including the Elwha River, Lake Crescent, and Sol Duc River. Upon arrival at the Sol Duc Trailhead, our Naturalist Hiking Guide will lead a guided hiking tour (2-3 miles) through ancient old-growth forest to Sol Duc Falls, showcasing the best viewpoints of the river canyon and 48 foot waterfall.
Lake Crescent: Returning east on Highway 101, our guests will enjoy a stop at the Lake Crescent, one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Pacific Northwest. Lake Crescent is a glacier-carved, crystal-clear lake that is 624 feet deep and outlined by a beautiful forested mountain range. Starting from the historic Lake Crescent Lodge (built in 1915), our guide will continue hiking on the moss-laden trails, following Barnes Creek toward Marymere Falls. Guests can opt to explore Lake Crescent Lodge and its nearby trails on their own.
Port Angeles: Before heading up to Hurricane Ridge, we will include a scheduled stop at Country Aire Natural Foods and Deli in Port Angeles. This is a great option for those wanting to purchase a grab & go lunch, snacks, or a coffee to fuel up for the final afternoon touring.
Hurricane Ridge: Our van tour will go from sea-level in Port Angeles to 5,242 feet elevation atop Hurricane Ridge. Throughout the 17-mile drive up to Hurricane Ridge, guests can observe the transition from lowland forests to the subalpine terrain. Depending on the weather and visibility, we hope to enjoy sweeping vistas of the Bailey Range, Mount Olympus, river valleys, and Strait of Juan De Fuca. Our guide will lead a final guided hike along the subalpine nature trails, meadows, and ridgelines atop Hurricane Ridge.
Itinerary Outline
7:30 AM: Departure
Morning: Sol Duc (1-2 hr)
Mid-Day: Lake Crescent (1-2 hr)
Afternoon: Hurricane Ridge (1-2 hr)
3:30 PM / 4:30 PM: Return
Timing and destinations subject to change based on weather, group pace, and road conditions.
Itinerary Breakdown
Drive Time: 4-5 hours
Sightseeing Time: 4-5 hours
What’s Included
Naturalist Guided Hiking Tour
National Park Entrance Fees
Roundtrip Transportation
Meet-up Location
Port Angeles Wharf 115 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362
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Additional Details
Naturalist Guided Hiking Tour
The Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent feature some of the most diverse and beautiful lowland forests in Olympic National Park. At those destinations, our Naturalist Hiking Guide will identify the variety of old-growth trees, micro-plants, and discuss the rich history of the Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent. Atop Hurricane Ridge, our guide will overview the four seasons and unique geology of the Olympic Mountains, while identifying landmark river valleys, peaks, and the best panoramic vistas.
Hiking Trails
We typically cover 4-6 miles on this guided tour. Our guide will hike on the following trails for varying amounts of time and mileage based on the itinerary timing, group pace, weather conditions, and overall traffic. There are options for guests to hike less at each destination.
Sol Duc: A 0.8 mile one-way trail out and back with minimal elevation gain and loss to Sol Duc Falls. There are some rocks and roots on the trail, as well as nature stairs down to the falls. Our guide may include optional trails and viewpoints for a roundtrip hike of 2-3 miles.
Lake Crescent: A 1 mile one-way trail, primarily flat, well-maintained, and ending with 200 feet elevation up nature stairs to view Marymere Falls. Our guide may add other trails for a loop route back to the Lake Crescent Lodge for 2-3 miles total.
Hurricane Ridge: Starting on the paved Cirque Rim loop (0.5 mi) our guide can add gravel trails including High Ridge (0.5 mi loop, 200 ft gain), Sunrise Point (0.1 mile one-way), and Klahhane Ridge for 2-3 miles total based on time and trail conditions.
Seasonal Itinerary Adjustments
Spring: With raging waterfalls and lush forests, we will likely prioritize time within the Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent with less time atop Hurricane Ridge due to limited hiking access with the persisting winter snowpack.
Summer: We will prioritize time at Sol Duc Falls in the morning and Hurricane Ridge in the afternoon, especially with beautiful subalpine meadows atop the Ridge fully melted out in July and August.
Fall: After Mid-September, cooler temperatures and occasional snowfall may limit our road and hiking access to Hurricane Ridge. Accordingly, we will prioritize the resurgent waterfalls and beautiful fall colors of Lake Crescent and Sol Duc.