Let's explore the wonders of the Northwest - the glacier capped, 14,410 foot volcanic Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park's rain forests with 1,000 year old trees, and “America’s Alps” of North Cascades National Park.
At North Cascades we can use seasonal boat service to a remote town of Stehekin. For that we will need to extend the trip for one overnight stay at Chelan, WA. That is not currently in itinerary but can be added based on the group's preferences. (More info on the boating to Stehekin at https://ladyofthelake.com/)
The Pacific Rim region in Canada is known for its ancient rainforest, dramatic coastal scenery, authentic small towns.
Crossing the Canadian border requires to have a valid US passport for the American citizens and a Canadian visa for non-US citizens. Here is some info on crossing the Canadian border: https://recordsfinder.com/.../docu.../enter-canada-from-usa/
For everyone: ArriveCAN must be used within 72 hours before our arrival in Canada. ArriveCAN is an app (Available for iOS, Android and web) to provide mandatory travel and public health information before and after your entry into Canada: https://www.canada.ca/.../border.../services/arrivecan.html
Pre-entry covid testing is no longer necessary for fully vaccinated travelers entering Canada by land, air, or water beginning April 1, 2022.
Summer weather in this area is warm with day average temperatures 73 degree F and possible light winds. See updates of weather forecasts at: https://bit.ly/3rDSzBi
Trip's summary:
- 6days/5nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
- The starting and ending point is Seattle, WA (possible to fly home from Vancouver, BC, if prefer.)
- Hotel accommodations in Sequim, WA, Packwood, WA, Cashmere, WA, Mount Vernon, WA, Victoria, BC, Nanaimo, BC. All locations in this event follow safety requirements by the state.
- Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.
Clothes and gear recommended:
- good hiking shoes,
- warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
- hiking poles if you used to them,
- d ay backpack,
- consider hydration bladder for hikes,
- sunglasses,
- sunscreen,
- hat,
- for personal protection: mask, carry-on sanitizer, gloves (by your choice.)
Cost $780 (no later than 1 month before the start this cost can be updated.)
What is included:
- 6days/5nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room),
- Breakfasts at some hotels,
- Transportation by minivan (like Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand, Ford Transit or similar) covering approx. 850 mi of road-tripping total,
- Park entrance fees,
- Organized hikes in all days.
What is NOT included:
- Getting to and from Seattle, WA,
- Meals, snacks, water.
- at North Cascades we can use the boat service to remote town Stehekin, which is $86 round-trip (not included.) Accommodation choices at Chelan, WA are limited and pricey - can increase the costs by approx. $140/person, so we can do only daytrip, on group's request.
Sunrise: 6:00am. Sunset: 8:30pm. Every day we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or 8am as the latest. If you are a night owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight for activities.
Eating Options (not included in the cost):
- This trip is focused on activities and exploring places, and the meals are planned the way to not interfere with making most of activities and exploring. So, participants are asked to have packed food and water for lunches that will be eaten either at picnic areas or on the go (if no picnic areas are available or we need to hike.) This will allow saving more daylight time for activities. Driving for grocery shopping can be provided every evening. Open in evenings are usually chain stores like Safeway and Walmart, Whole Foods in some location.
- If the majority of group wants to arrange a restaurant dinner in a nearby location during the trip, it can be done and time can be allotted, driving provided.
- Breakfasts are included by some hotels, and mostly they are basic or on-the-go/packed breakfasts. Typically, hotel rooms have fridge, microwave and coffeemaker, and that is to be specified in the itinerary for each hotel.
Photo-album from the previous trip with a similar itinerary and activities:
https://www.meetup.com/u-s-national-parks-quest-group/photos/31443910/
Please sign up and feel free to contact the organizer with any questions!
If you see that the event is full/no tickets available, do not hesitate to contact the organizer about your interest as spots can become available.
Also, please check on the photo-album from our past trips (in About section) and our future trips to U.S. National Parks and National Parks in Europe and Asia for 2024-2025. Thanks!
ATTN. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the chat.) Regular messaging will not work out for this trip, sorry.
ATTN. The $10 payment through Eventbrite is for reserving a spot in this small group event (it counts in toward the whole payment for the trip.) After you reserved your spot, you will be contacted by the organizer about a Zoom meeting with the group and joining a WhatsApp group chat. Meeting your future groupmates in a Zoom and being able to communicate by WhatsApp are mandatory steps to become a part of this trip and make the full payment. If any of these cannot be done/mind changed, the $10 reservation payment will be refunded in full though the initial means of payment, minus fees paid to Eventbrite/third parties. The outline of the trip will be communicated during a Zoom meeting and in WhatsApp group chat. The detailed, hour-by-hour, itinerary will be provided to the confirmed participants of the trip.
