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September Overnight Backpacking to Mt Olympus Fri 8th - Mon 11th, 2023
Welcome to our young adult's overnight backpacking trip; our Frassati Outdoor Ministry Team is excited about this unique opportunity for community spiritual growth and fellowship in the great outdoors. Whether you are a seasoned overnight backpacker or brand new, this is a great opportunity to experience the beauty of God’s creation, all while deepening your faith and connecting with peers. Each day we'll have opportunities for communal prayer, Mass and outdoor Adoration, and bible study. You are invited to embrace the simplicity of the journey and leave behind anything that will distract you, like music or games on your cell.
Our September trip will bring us through a temperate rainforest along the Hoh River into the very heart of the Olympic Peninsula. Sights include mountain peaks (Mt. Olympus), the majestic Blue Glacier, old-growth forests, and abundant fauna (including elk and nonaggressive black bears). This is one of the highest sought-after trails in Washington, and we are lucky to have booked early to reserve this for us. This trip will be challenging, with two days including 12+ miles of travel, but it will be an adventure you will never forget.
Trip Details and Trail Description:
We needed to extend the original dates of this trip from Fri-Sun to Fri-Mon. Our first location is only 2.9 miles from the trailhead, so a late departure is possible. We are limited to 12 people due to Olympic National Park regulations, and cars will need a national park pass.
Trail description: CLICK HERE
Friday: 3 miles to Tom Creek Group Campground
Saturday: 12 miles to Elk Creek Group Campground
Sunday: 6 mile round trip to glacier from elk lake (without big packs) + 3-mile decent to Hoh River.
Monday: 12.4 miles (negligible elevation gain/loss) to parking lot.
COST: It it a $24/person fee for our 3-night stay in the Olympic Peninsula backcountry. You will be expected to also reimburse your driver for gas and to pitch in if they need to purchase a 3-day national park pass. You will also have to pay for your food (though we might cook as a group and can divide this). Altogether, expect to spend about $150 more or less plus any additional gear expenses you may have.
TIMELINE
SUNDAY, Sept 4, 12 pm: Pre-trip meeting at UW Newman
We will need to meet the Sunday before the trip to go over specifics for the trip, review the trail and conditions, iron out details (missing gear, carpools etc), and answer any concerns. A Zoom option will be available if you cannot come in person.
FRIDAY, SEPT 08: Drive and 3-mile hike to Tom Creek Campground.
One group will depart early in the morning with Fr. Chrysostom to pick up our permits from the ranger station. A second group can depart from Seattle Friday at 12:00, arriving at camp by 7:00 pm. Only if necessary, and only available for experienced backpackers, a third group can leave Seattle in the afternoon at 4pm and will have to hike via headlamp to the camp; the moon will be 95% full at that time and should make things easier.
Parking Lot Location: CLICK HERE
The drive is about 4.5 - 5 hrs.
The hike is 2.9 miles with little to no elevation gain.
Sunset will be at 7:30 pm, and dusk 8:00 pm.
Hiking distance: 3 miles of hiking on level ground with heavy packs (takes about 1.5 hrs).
Suggested timelines:
Morning Departure Timeline: 9:00 am departure from Seattle, with a stop at the ranger station to pick up passes. About 3 pm arrival at trailhead. 5 pm Mass, Adoration, and Vespers.
Noon Departure Timeline: 12:00 pm from Seattle. Arrive at the trailhead around 5 pm. Arrive at camp 6:30-7 pm.
Afternoon Departure Timeline: Depart Seattle 4 pm. Arrive at the trailhead around 9 pm. Arrive at camp around 11pm.
SATURDAY, SEPT 09
Hike through the rainforest in the Hoh River valley to Elk Lake. Total distance: 12 miles and 2,400 feet elevation gain.
SUNDAY, SEPT 10
With 2,500 feet elevation gain in 3 miles, this is the hardest part of the trip. This will be mitigated by leaving our heavy packs at camp, taking only day packs up, which makes a huge difference. It will be well worth the effort with the unobstructed majestic views of Mount Olympus, Blue Glacier, and the surrounding area (the very heart of the Olympic Peninsula). We will celebrate Sunday Mass along the glacier, followed by lunch. This is followed by a 3 mile hike back to Elk Lake where we will retrieve our heavy packs, and descend an additional 3 miles into the Hoh River valley, pitching camp at "12.4 mile camp".
Total miles for the day are 9, but with 6 of them being without heavy packs.
MONDAY, SEPT 11: Hike out.
We will slowly descend through the rainforest by 1200 ft. (with 500 ft gain) for 12.4 miles to the parking lot.
Dominican Morning Prayer and Sunday Mass.
Departure by noon.
Back to Seattle by evening.