​Pacific Northwest Discovery

Trip Summary

This is the perfect introductory adventure for middle schoolers embarking on their first foray into the outdoors, and it all takes place within the mystical, breathtakingly beautiful Olympic National Park. This adventure is jam-packed: We'll start with a day hike on one of Washington's most iconic trails, Hurricane Ridge. Then we'll head to the coast for a few days to hike along the Olympic Coast, where we'll almost certainly see wild and marine life like otters, bald eagles, sea lions, and more. After that, we'll trade our boots and backpacks for boats and paddles to sea kayak in the calm waters near Port Angeles and canoe along Lake Cushman. To cap off our trip, we'll hike through old-growth forests to the tippy-top of Mt. Ellinor.

Not only will you fall in love with all that the outdoors has to offer, but you'll also come home feeling incredibly accomplished and proud, with a newfound sense of confidence and independence and a big group of best new friends!

Itinerary

We'll dive right Adventure Treks with a day hike to Hurricane Ridge, known for its stunning panoramic views. Get to know your new best friends while hiking through vibrant wildflowers like mountain lupine and Indian paintbrush with snow-capped Olympic peaks in the distance. This is one of the most iconic day hikes in all of the Pacific Northwest.

During these three days, you'll likely bald eagles, otters, sea lions, and seals while walking along boardwalks and sandy and pebbly beaches, next to soaring sea stacks in the Pacific ocean. Camp on the beautiful coast at night and eat dinner in front of the most colorful sunset you've ever seen. Big adventures abound on the Olympic coast! This overnight hiking trip is perfect for first-timers.

Glide through the calm waters of Port Angeles, known for vibrant marine life, like colorful sea stars and curious harbor seals, and views of the Olympics. Gaze east for gorgeous long-range views of Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and set your sights down south for a peek of Mount Olympus. On a clear day, you can might be able to see Mount Rainier!

Lake Cushman is famous for its clear blue waters, surrounded by lush green forests and soaring Olympic peaks—like Mount Ellinor, which we'll climb next! For two days, we'll work on becoming master paddlers as we learn to navigate canoes on the lake. This place is perfect for an afternoon swim on a warm summer day!

It's time to cap off our trip with a summit hike to Mount Ellinor, rising to almost 6,000 feet in elevation. Your well-earned reward at the top will include 360-degree views of Rainier and the Juan de Fuca. Keep your eyes peeled—you may see an elusive mountain goat near the summit!

Trip Details

Arrival/Departure

Seattle, WA (SEA)

Grades

6th, 7th

Length

10 days

Dates

6/19 - 6/287/28 - 8/6

Tuition

$3,195

Activities

Backpacking
Day hiking
Canoeing
Mountain summit
Sea kayaking

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More InfoReviews
Included in tuition:
  • All meals
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and all group gear
  • Guided activities
Not included in tuition:
  • Airfare to and from SEA
  • Travel protection plans (more info here)
  • Personal clothing and items (packing lists are available for enrolled families)
Travel information

Students will meet us at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on opening day, and depart from SEA on closing day. Will your child be flying alone for the first time? No problem! This is a fantastic exercise in building independence, and we'll be there to support all student flyers from take-off to touchdown.

  • Arrive in SEA on opening day between 9 am and 12:45 pm
  • Depart from SEA on closing day between 6 and 11 am
  • Find more travel information here
Camping

Most of our nights are spent at "frontcountry" campsites, where we'll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. This may be a public or private campground. We often stay at the same frontcountry site a few days in a row. Frontcountry sites are the perfect way to learn campcraft skills and get comfortable with tent camping.

During our overnight hike on the Olympic Peninsula, two nights will be spent "backcountry" camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities.

Challenge/fitness level

No experience necessary; all skill levels welcome! We'll teach students everything they need to know to be successful and have lots of fun.

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so Adventure Treks does not "rate" its trips based on challenge. However, because we’ll be engaged in different outdoor activities throughout each trip, our students have the responsibility to be physically fit. We know physical fitness looks different for everyone, but it’s important to come prepared so that you and your fellow students can succeed. One student not coming prepared with physical fitness will negatively impact the entire group. In the months leading up to their trip, students should develop a routine that emphasizes stamina and sustaining a moderate level of exertion for many hours, several days in a row. Running, swimming, bicycling, aerobics classes, and team sports are all beneficial and will help improve cardiovascular fitness in preparation for a student’s trip.

Stephanie Carroll, Carlsbad, CA

I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my 13-year-old. The Pacific Northwest trip provided the adventure and (supervised) independence that I felt was most necessary for my child as she enters her last year of middle school. From day one of the trip, my child was able to have fun and new experiences, make friends, and be outside of the little world she has been forced into by the circumstances of the past few years. She appreciated her peers' differences and was grateful for their similarities. These were the things that also made the trip special; she could bond over similarities and learn about how differences can sometimes be beneficial or a challenge, depending on the circumstances. I couldn't be more grateful for the experience Adventure Treks provided for her. There was just the right amount of challenge mixed in with laid back moments to keep her happy. I will forever refer my friends and family to Adventure Treks.

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