Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier Trail Guide
This bucket-list-worthy backpacking trip takes you on an adventure through the lush temperate rainforest, along the Hoh River, and up a challenging ascent to the Blue Glacier. The Hoh River Trail one of the most unique trails in the Pacific Northwest, featuring 3 ecosystems, unique wildlife, and massive towering trees. This article has everything you need to know for your next epic backpacking trip on the Hoh River trail.
As you embark on this wilderness journey, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering old-growth trees covered in moss and ferns. The Hoh Rainforest, known for being one of the wettest places in the United States, creates a mystical atmosphere with its dense canopy and lush undergrowth. The trail winds its way through this enchanting forest, offering glimpses of sparkling waterfalls and babbling creeks along the way.
Key Things to Know Before You Hike
| Length: 36.2 mi | Type: Out and Back |
| Duration: 2-4 Days | Difficulty: Hard |
| Max Elevation: 5135 ft | Elevation Gain: 5633 ft |
| Ecosystem: Temperate Rainforest, Subalpine Meadow, Montane Forest | Best Time of Year: Late June through September |
Entrance Fee
There is a $35 per car fee to enter Olympic National Park unless you have an America the Beautiful park pass.
Parking
Finding parking during peak season can be very difficult. When we visited in June we waited an hour in a line of cars to get to the parking lot. I recommend getting there early (before 8 am if possible) as there is a single entry booth. The trailhead can be very busy as it is the start of three other short trails: the Mini Trail, the Spruce Trail, and the Hall of Mosses Trail.
Backpacking Trip Permits
Visit the Olympic NPS website for the most up-to-date information on backpacking permits and make your reservations on recreation.gov . Make sure to book these in advance if you are hiking during peak season to get the best campsites.
Water and Food
There are a lot of glacial streams and rivers to refill with easy access. See our post about the best ways to treat water for more info. Be sure to pack enough food if you are doing the full hike because you will earn your calories on the ascent to the Glacier that starts after Lewis Meadow. For more guidance use our backpacking calorie calculator.
Weather and Season
The weather in Olympic National Park can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be prepared for all conditions. The trail is accessible year-round, but the best time to hike the Hoh River Trail is during the summer when the weather is generally milder. However, be prepared for rain at any time, as the Hoh Rainforest receives an average annual rainfall of 140 inches (355 cm).
Difficulty
The first part of the trail is accessible to all hiking levels. While the second half of the trip past Lewis Meadows is considered difficult due to the steep elevation and a section that requires traversing a rock slide with a ladder or rope (both of which are installed at the location). However, it is worth the effort to experience all that the Hoh Rain Forest and Mount Olympus have to offer.
Campsite Overview
| Site | Distance (mi) | Fire Allowed | Bear Canister Required | Toilet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Creek | 2.9 | Yes | No | No |
| 5-Mile Island | 5.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Happy Four | 5.7 | Yes | No | No |
| Olympus Guard Station | 9.1 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Lewis Meadow | 10.5 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Martin Creek* | 14.8 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Elk Lake* | 15.1 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Glacier Meadows* | 17.3 | No | Yes | Yes |
**All sites have bear wires available
Trail Guide and Potential Itinerary
Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier Wilderness Map
The availability of campsites greatly influenced our itinerary. We booked our sites about a month ahead and had limited options, so be sure to book in advance if you are there in the peak season (June to September).
2 Day
- Hike to Glacier Meadows and overnight (17.3mi)
- Leave tents and gear at Glacier Meadows and hike up to Blue Glacier with lighter gear, then hike down and out (19.1mi)
3 Day
- Hike to Lewis Meadow (10.5 mi)
- Leave tents and heavy gear at Lewis and hike up to Blue Glacier and back (15.4 mi)
- Hike out (10.5 mi)
4 Day
- Hike to Five Mile Island (5 mi)
- Hike to Elk Lake (10.1mi)
- Leave tents and gear at Elk Lake and hike up to Blue Glacier and back (6 mi)
- Hike Out (15.1mi)
Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center to Five Mile Island (5 miles)
Start your journey at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center and hike approximately 5 miles to Five Mile Island. This section of the trail offers a scenic introduction to the lush rainforest and provides a picturesque camping spot along the Hoh River. The hike starts by taking you through the largest temperate rainforest in the contiguous US under the canopy of big Sitka spruce and maple trees covered with mosses. The first few miles take you along the banks of the Hoh River and through spectacular old-growth trees. Five Mile Island is a great accessible campsite overlooking the Hoh River. For those looking for a short overnight hike, many people camped out here before heading back.
Five Mile Island To Elk Lake (10.1 mi)
After leaving Five Mile the trail starts to move away from the Hoh River and deeper into the forest into a quiet and serene section. On the way, you will pass over a log river crossing before reaching Olympus Gaurd Station (9.1 mi). Half a mile past the guard station you can find the trail diverges for those looking to backpack into the Sol Duc/High Divide/Seven Lakes Basin area. The trail had emptied out and we saw very few hikers that were continuing to Blue Glacier.
Until this point, the trail is relatively flat and accessible, but once we passed Lewis Meadows things started to pick up. Most of the elevation is gained in the last 5 miles of the trail! The trail climbs up to Hoh Bridge overlooking the canyon below, this is a great spot to take a break and enjoy the view before continuing into the steep switchbacks to Elk Lake.
Elk Lake to Blue Glacier (6 mi)
Elk Lake is a hidden gem along the trail, offering a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature’s beauty. The lake’s calm waters reflect the surrounding mountains, creating a stunning mirror-like effect, which makes for a beautiful sunrise. For those who want to make the hike to Blue Glacier easier, I recommend staying 2 nights at Elk Lake. This will allow you to leave most of your gear at camp for the toughest day of climbing. The forest starts to open up as you move away from camp providing views of the surrounding mountains and valley of rivers. Be sure to keep your eyes on the trail as this section is the steepest and in sections the trail gets thin.
Jemrod Gully
After a couple of miles from camp you will reach the last major obstacle before Glacier Meadows, Jemrod Gully. There is a 100 ft ladder as well as a separate rope anchored to the hillside. The easiest way down is to keep tension on the rope and slowly walk down backward. This becomes more difficult if you are carrying a heavy pack, so to avoid this consider camping at Elk Lake. In reality, this obstacle isn’t as scary as it looks, just take your time and make sure to space out between hikers to avoid sending any loose rocks down onto your fellow hikers.
Once past Jemrod you are close to Glacier Meadows, the final campsite and ranger station. Even in summer at this point in the trail, you will start to run into some areas of snowpack. After you pass the campsite you will reach some rockier terrain as you head above the treeline, you will reach a fork which gives you two options to experience the glacier.
Option 1: The Terminus Primitive Trail to the South is about 0.5 mi long and will take you right to the lower edge of the glacier at ~4800 ft of elevation.
Option 2: For those that are a little more adventurous, the Blue Glacier Primitive Trail heads southeast for 0.7mi which will bring you to the lateral moraine giving you a view overlooking Mt Olympus and the Blue Glacier. This route will cross the snowpack and rock out-croppings to reach the moraine.
For other awesome hikes in Olympic National Park see our trail guide for the Ozette Triangle Trail for a beginner backpacking trip or a great day hike!
