Victoria, British Columbia

Olympic National Park is built for someone with a week or more to spare for backpacking deep into the heart of the park's endless miles of wilderness. Between the mountains, the coast, and the rainforest, there is a lot of park to see for someone who is trying to fit their visit into an extended ...

The beauty of many of the north coast trails in the Olympic Peninsula is that your car does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.  This is certainly true of the Grand Valley Trail, which begins more than a vertical mile above the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the end of the Obstruction Point Road.  Six...

A day spent plying the trails of the High Divide in Olympic National Park changes an outdoorsman. This moderate to strenuous loop boasts the best views on the peninsula, a chance to see foraging black bears and abundant deer, stunning waterfalls and marvelous old growth forests. By the time you f...

Heading west from Victoria, take the TransCanada Highway to Hwy 14. Continue past Sooke towards Port Renfrew. Look for the sign that reads Sombrio Beach Trailhead (approximately 45 minutes past Sooke) and take the left. Note that this dirt road can be incredibly rugged (aka full of potholes) and ...

The secret to this trip: Marmot Pass and Boulder Shelter, where you can camp on National Forest Service land. Multiple excellent, large backpacking sites sit just on the edge of the National Park, giving you great access to Mt. Constance and Mt. Deception, two of the tallest peaks in the Olympics...

The HikeThe hike there isn't short, has several steep sections, and ends at the top of the mountain. There are cliff warnings at the top, so be careful as you explore the view! The steepest portions are at the beginning and right at the end. The trail is very well maintained (because it is so pop...

These two quaint lakes in the Chuckanuts are a must-do for people looking for a day hike, short camping trip or steep trail run in the Bellingham area. Starting at the trailhead off of Old Samish Road, one begins the 2 mile ascent to the two lakes. The first 1,400ft climb has its fair share of up...

This is no walk on the beach. There are many ascents and descents that range from not so steep to hold on for your life as the mud cliff crumbles steep. You might think 200m of elevation gain isn't much, but it is a constant ascend and descend trail in the moderate-difficult sections.A high level...

Grab a permit on your way in at the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) in Port Angeles or at the Quinault USFS/NFS Recreation Information center before parking at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center and use the wash station and rest room before you head out on the trail.  The first five miles of...

Getting to the summit is no easy task.  The approach is long, you must cross a glacier, and once you are to the summit block the easiest way up is on loose 4th class rock, however a short pitch of 5.4 rock is recommended instead. Getting there On your way to the trail-head you will need to stop a...

The well trodden and well marked trail begins in the rainforest, and is flat and follows the river for the first few miles. There are many marked camp sites along the way, as well as dispersed camping on the sand bars in the river bed. Follow the trail until the first major intersection, at the O...

Olympic National Park plays host to some incredible things, including the Hoh Rainforest. Known for its long hanging moss and crystal clear waters, it's easy to see why this is a popular destination. Spring is the perfect time of the year to visit, the weather is mild and the park is almost empty...

Starting at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center, take the only trail out into the forest itself. After a few hundred yards there will be a sign pointing you in the direction of the Hall Of Mosses. Follow signs and a very well-maintained trail over crystal clear creeks and fallen trees until you r...

In the summer of 2016, myself and three others decided to hike the West Coast Trail (WCT) on a bit of a whim! We naively, and courageously, choose the WCT as our first major backpacking hiking trip - we thought it would be best to throw ourselves into a hike that has earned a reputation for being...