Ancient Forests of the Olympic Peninsula

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Available Dates:

June 20-26, 2023

7 days/6 nights

Minimum/Maximum: 12 guests/14 guests

Itinerary Highlights

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at Olympic National Park’s majestic Hurricane Ridge with poet, essayist and nature writer Tim McNulty
  
• Gaze at otherworldly sea stacks and observe colorful sea life on a special guided tour of Rialto Beach
• Join environmental scientist Lauren Kuehne on an immersive retreat in the natural sounds of the Hoh Rain Forest
  
• Hear from Clarence Moriwaki, president of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, about the Japanese Americans who were exiled from their homes and witness the National Historic Site which honors them
  
• Take in the extraordinary sights of crashing water and scurrying salmon at Sol Duc Falls
• Learn from Rob Smith, Northwest Regional Director, about NPCA’s efforts to recover the vital salmon populations on the Elwha River and removal of the Elwha Dam

Itinerary

Day 1: June 20 - Arrivals into Seattle and Transfer to Kalaloch Lodge: Arrive by 11:00 AM to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), gateway to the Pacific Northwest. Upon arrival, meet with your NPCA group. Transfer in a private shuttle to Kalaloch Lodge, approximately a 3-hour drive. We’ll stop for lunch and a short walk along the way. Upon arrival, settle into your room at this scenic coastal lodge before we gather as a group for brief introductions and an orientation to the days ahead. This evening, enjoy a group welcome reception and dinner on-site at Creekside Restaurant. Kalaloch Lodge (L, D)

Day 2: June 21 - Hoh Rain Forest and Ruby Beach: This morning we will embark on a 1-hour drive, making our way to the Hoh Rain Forest — one of the most spectacular temperate rain forests in the world. Mosses and ferns blanket the ground, while lush canopies of trees shade you from above. It is truly one of the most incredible sights in Olympic National Park and is home to some of Earth’s rarest nature sounds — sounds which can only be fully appreciated in the absence of man-made noise. We will spend the day hiking and exploring the Hoh with environmental scientist Lauren Kuehne, who has worked for several years studying the impact of military flights on the Olympic Peninsula soundscape. NPCA is advocating to protect the area’s natural sounds from commercial air tours and Navy jet training flights, which disrupt precious ecosystems and the unique refuge of “the quietest place in America.” During this exclusive excursion, hear from your NPCA host about the key campaign seeking to save this necessary space and why it is especially important for U.S. Veterans.

After lunch in the park, we head back towards the coast, stopping at Ruby Beach. One of the crown jewels of Olympic National Park, it is famous for its reddish sand and large sea stacks. Take time to walk up and down the shoreline, basking in the incredible views, before returning to the lodge for dinner. Kalaloch Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3: June 22 - Rialto Beach and Lake Crescent: After an early breakfast we’ll take a scenic 1-hour drive from the lodge to the start of today’s adventure out on Rialto Beach. Weather conditions permitting, we’ll look to arrive at the start of low tide. Joined by a local naturalist, spend the morning looking for colorful sea stars, rock crabs, wolf eels, pricklebacks, barnacles, clams and sea snails. We’ll have time to hike to the unique Hole-in-the-Wall formation, all while watching for otters and seals in the distance. NPCA continuously works to strengthen protections for the spectacular ecosystems and endangered species that inhabit the Olympic Peninsula. After lunch nearby, we’ll drive 1 hour to beautiful Lake Crescent Lodge. Check into your comfortable and cozy accommodations before an optional hike to Marymere Falls. This evening, enjoy some downtime and relaxation at the lodge before dinner as a group.
Lake Crescent Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 4: June 23 - Hurricane Ridge and Elwha River: After breakfast in the lodge, meet the group and head towards Hurricane Ridge. With stunning views along the way, the drive alone is rewarding. On clear days, you can take in magnificent panoramic views of the park — views NPCA is working hard to save from detrimental regional haze pollution. We will be joined at Hurricane Ridge by Tim McNulty, a poet, essayist and nature writer based out of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Explore on foot, learning about everything from goat removal in the park, to Olympic marmots and endemic plants. After lunch in the area, transfer to the former Elwha Dam site. It is here that NPCA has helped advance recovery of the Elwha River for salmon through the removal of two dams, resulting in a world-class river restoration project. NPCA continues restoration of the Elwha River by supporting road access away from the river floodplain following a washout. As you admire the free-flowing Elwha River, NPCA experts will share the story of a challenging but victorious journey to free this river and its ecosystem. From here we will head to charming Port Angeles, where you will have the opportunity to relax along the waterfront, take in the views and explore shops downtown. Then, gather as a group for dinner at a local restaurant before ending the night back at Lake Crescent Lodge. Lake Crescent Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 5: June 24 - Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Falls: After breakfast, enjoy your time at leisure at Lake Crescent Lodge. You will have the option to join a group kayaking tour on Lake Crescent — the perfect opportunity to learn some of the secrets of the lake: its formation, unique ecology, phantom forest, wildlife, Spruce Railroad tunnels, legends and history. After lunch at the lodge, head out towards Sol Duc Falls. Continue on to the 50-foot waterfalls, listening to the thundering sounds, looking for rainbows in the mist surrounding the falls and keeping your eyes out for cutthroat and steelhead salmon below. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at Lake Crescent Lodge or hiking through towering evergreens. In the early evening, depart back to Lake Crescent Lodge for dinner. Lake Crescent Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6: June 25 - Bainbridge Island: This morning, enjoy your last breakfast in the park before we load up and begin our 2-hour and 15-minute drive to Bainbridge Island. Upon arrival, we’ll head to the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. Built of old-growth red cedar, granite and basalt, the memorial honors the names of all 276 Japanese and Japanese Americans who were exiled from Bainbridge Island by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 and Civilian Exclusion Order No. 1 in 1942. The National Historic Monument also celebrates this island community, which defended its Japanese American friends and neighbors, supported them while they were away and welcomed them home. Here you can uncover NPCA’s priorities to ensure the National Park Service safeguards, preserves and shares the stories of all Americans. Afterwards, have lunch in Bainbridge Island’s quaint Downtown, where you’ll have free time to explore the many boutiques, galleries and wine tasting rooms. From here, check in to your comfortable hotel room before heading out for a final dinner as a group and reflect on a memorable and educational week on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Marshall Suites (B, L, D)

Day 7: June 26 - Depart for Home: After breakfast, we will make our way towards Seattle and ferry across Puget Sound, taking in the scenic Seattle skyline along the way. Your Iconic Trip Leader will coordinate drop offs at the airport based on your travel plans. We recommend booking flights no earlier than 2:00 PM. (B)

Please note: This itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions and park closures related to COVID-19.

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NPCA TRAVEL ELIGIBILITY: NPCA is the only independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocacy on behalf of the National Park System. Over 70% of our funding comes from donations from individuals like you. NPCA trips are an exclusive NPCA member benefit. One traveler per group must be an NPCA member to participate in an NPCA trip. An annual membership starts at $15 per person. Please make dues payable to NPCA by check or credit card at npca.org.

TRAVEL SAFE WITH NPCA: Your safety is our top priority. NPCA has worked diligently with each of our travel partners to develop important safety measures for all our trips. As guidelines and protocols evolve, we are committed to creating flexible options for those interested in rescheduling or booking new travel. For more information, check out our COVID-19 Travel Update.

MORE INFORMATION: For full details on this trip, including inclusions, exclusions, accommodations, terms and safety protocols, please download the detailed trip brochure.

Download Detailed Trip Brochure (1 MB pdf) ›

MAKING RESERVATIONS: To secure your space on this NPCA trip, please contact our Educational Travel Program team at 1.800.628.7275 or email the Travel Program at travel@npca.org.

TRAVEL PROTECTION: We strongly recommend purchasing important optional travel insurance that will cover you for a variety of travel-related contingencies, such as trip cancellation, interruption, and/or delay; baggage loss, theft, damage or delay; accident and/or sickness medical expenses; accidental death; as well as evacuation/repatriation coverage. Please note that a Pre-Existing Condition waiver is available if you purchase the policy within 21 days of making your initial trip payment. Also consider the optional “Cancel for any Reason” protection. All questions regarding the plan’s coverage should be directed to Travel Insurance Select through USI Affinity at 1-800-937-1387 or by visiting their website.

Check out NPCA’s full tour lineup at www.npca.org/trips