DAYS 1 THROUGH 4
TEAM ORCAS
BRING YOUR SENIOR NATIONAL PARK PASS
Eight months of training are essential for our elite hikers to prepare for The Enchantments Traverse, a challenging day-hike (19.25 miles, 5,500 feet elevation gain, and 7,000 feet elevation loss) . This training is a team building experience and is the secret sauce. No longer strangers, team members make the best travel-mates! A Cairn Stone hiking tour is like no other. Look forward to it.
REMINDER: Review everything on the TRAVEL TIPS page.
[REAL ID or PASSPORT REQUIRED]
OUR ALASKA AIRLINE FLIGHTS (Both trips)
AS0579 CHI-SEA 01:03 PM ARR 03:41 PM
AS0429 SEA-CHI 11:35 AM ARR 06:01 PM
ENCHANTMENTS & COLCHUCK LAKE HIKERS MUST...
" Before setting foot on the trail, fill out a wilderness permit located at the trailhead. Fill it out (bring a pen!), deposit the bottom section in the box, and take the top part of the permit with you. A ranger might check to see if you have this during your hike. You will deposit the top section in the box at the end of your hike." Note that this helps the park with monitoring the amount of hikers on the trails which is essential to park management. Remember to be good stewards of the trails, leave no trash and bring a baggie to carry some out.
LEAVENWORTH 3 nights/2 nights
Trip 1: Days 1-3 Trip 2: Days 1-2
Nestled in the Central Cascade mountains, this alpine village bustles with adventure seekers year round. Our lodging is Icicle Village Resort - just a 10 minute walk from the village center.
Our Day 2 Enchantments Traverse starts at Stuart Lake trailhead for our *elite hikers. You will shuttle from our hotel to the Stuart Lake trailhead and back from your finish at Snow Lakes trailhead
[SUNSET: SEP 6 7:32, SEP 20 7:04].
[Earthtrekkers Enchantments Planning Guide]
[Earthtrekkers Enchantments & Colchuck Lake]
A second hike option is the Colchuck Lake out-and-back 9 mile hike starts and finishes at Stuart Lake trailhead. With 2,300 feet of elevation gain it will take 5 to 6 hours to complete, it features the turquoise-colored lake and the granite spires of Dragontail Peak.
A third option is to explore all this enchanting Alpine Village offers and perhaps hike the Blackbird Island trail (1.9)
[Enchantments & Leavenworth maps] *Elite hikers must pass a Test Hike to take on the full Enchantments Traverse.
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Trip 1 Day 3 Trip 2 Day 7
TRIP 1: Repair Day: Explore this wonderful Alpine Village and do the Blackbird Island trail (1.9)
TRIP 2: Majestic Mt. Rainier rises over 14,000' and is an active volcano with glaciers. The meadows below the snowpack are filled with subalpine wildflowers. You have the option to do the Skyline Loop trail (5.6) or explore near the visitors center.
Dine in our hotel or nearby restaurants.
NORTH CASCADES NAT'L PARK
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Trip 1 Day 4 Trip 2 Day 3
Maple Pass Loop Trail
This is a beautiful hike in the North Cascades National Park (6.6). Washington Trails Association says, " If ever there was a hike to satisfy all a hiker's desires, this one comes as close as any."
DAYS 4 THROUGH 7
FIDALGO ISLAND-ANACORTES 3 nights
FIDALGO ISLAND-ANACORTES 3 nights
FIDALGO ISLAND-ANACORTES 3 nights
Trip 1 Days 4-6 Trip 2 Days 3-5
Anacortes on Fidalgo Island is a quaint town in the southern part of the San Juan Islands. After retiring, Coach's brother Jack and wife Beth sailed the entire west coast before settling here for the mild climate, access to great hikes and year round sailing!
Many Cairn Stone trekkers who came here in 2010 will be eager to return! It was a perfect home base for getting to other adventures such as on the ferry to Orcas Island or to whale watch.
Our lodging at Cap Sante Inn is well located in Old Anacortes for access to great hikes on the island and many nearby restaurants to enjoy.
DECEPTION PASS BRIDGE
FIDALGO ISLAND-ANACORTES 3 nights
FIDALGO ISLAND-ANACORTES 3 nights
Trip 1 Day 5 Trip 2 Day 4
A great recovery day.
It's a short drive to an easy 5.4 mile hike at Deception Pass Bridge & Goose Rock. trail
After lunch it's out in bay for an afternoon whale watch experience on a *private charter with Outer Island Excursions.
NOTE: *With a chartered boat to ourselves, you may opt in or out up to departure.
We'll be back in time to explore Anacortes and find a great place to dine near our hotel.
ORCAS ISLAND-MT. CONSTITUTION
FIDALGO ISLAND-ANACORTES 3 nights
ORCAS ISLAND-MT. CONSTITUTION
Trip 1 Day 6 Trip 2 Day 5
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!
The ferry to Orcas Island takes us to the island. This is part of the largest ferry system in the USA. We will depart early morning and have breakfast on the ferry. We have special transportation on the island to take us to the trailheads of two super hikes on Mount Constitution.
[7.15 Loop] [3.38 Point to Point]
Lunch on your own in Orcas Village (close to the ferry docks). [Be at the ferry dock 30 minutes before the 4:00 pm departure.]
[MAP]
DAYS 7 THROUGH 9
OLYMPIA 2 nights/3 nights
Trip 1 Days 7-8 Trip 2 Days 6-8
Olympia is the home of Jake and Kellee Gunn and daughters. It is Washington State's capital and a great place to explore.
One of Coach Gunn's favorites, we will lodge again at the well located DoubleTree Hotel.
[Notice the very tall pier pilings to allow for over 9' tides!]
MOUNT RAINIER
Trip 1 Day 7 Trip 2 Day 6
You have the option to do the Skyline Loop trail (5.6) or explore near the visitors center.
TRIP 1: Travel day to Olympia.
TRIP 2: Travel day from Anacortes with an urban hike in the State Capital of Olympia. We'll do a 7.5 mile Priest Point urban hike that includes an old growth forest, Budd salt water inlet, Capital Lake, the capital switchbacks and Tumwater Falls. Stop where you like for a lunch break on your way to our lodging at the centrally located DoubleTree hotel.
Tonight you may choose to dine in our hotel, the DoubleTree, or at a variety of wonderful nearby restaurants.
STAIRCASE
STAIRCASE
Day 8
Drive to the Olympic National Park and the Staircase Park hike (7.1).
Following the hike we’ll make a lunch stop en route at the charming seaside village of Hoodsport.
DAYS 9 THROUGH 11
PORT ANGELES 2 nights
PORT ANGELES 2 nights
PORT ANGELES 2 nights
DAY 9
In just over 2 hours after checkout we will hike 7.3 miles on the Quinault Rainforest trail and then finish at the Quinault Lodge for a spectacular lunch.
Another scenic drive of 2 hours takes us through Olympic National Park. We will stretch our legs with a stop at Ruby Beach on the Pacific Ocean.
We'll arrive at 7pm to check in but the 48 North dining room at Red Lion Inn is open until 9PM and nearby restaurants are available.
PORT ANGELES
PORT ANGELES 2 nights
PORT ANGELES 2 nights
Day 10
After another 2 hour scenic drive we'll start a 9.4 mile Cape Alva coastal hike on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,653 miles with 505 miles in Washington State).
Port Angeles is our home for two nights. It is known as the gateway to Olympic National Park, offering access to mountains, rainforests, and coastline, with a vibrant outdoor recreation scene of hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
HURRICANE RIDGE
PORT ANGELES 2 nights
HURRICANE RIDGE
Day 11: After checkout we'll travel just 18 miles into Olympic National Park and the fabulous views at Hurricane Ridge. After a 5.6 mile hike and a stop in the visitor's center we'll return to Port Angeles for lunch.
We'll check into our last lodging, the SkyBridge Seattle Airport hotel after a 2 1/2 hour drive. You'll be free to lay back at the hotel or explore Seattle. The Reflections Grill is open until 11PM and a Link Light Rail station (Line 1, station 64) is just 2 blocks south of our hotel. [$3.25]
Day 12: Explore the sights of Seattle on Ron and Emily's Great Seattle Urban Hike (8.0).
DAYS 11 THROUGH 13
SEATTLE 2 nights
DAY 11 & 12
The Reflections Grill is open 6AM to 11PM and a Line 1, Link Light Rail station 64 is just 2 blocks south of our hotel. [$3.25]
SEATTLE Day 12
What you will see on Coach Gunn's Great Seattle Urban Hike:
[Preview these locations, some require tickets and reservations]
TRAVEL HOME
TRAVEL HOME
[Shown above: Jake, Kellee & Addi Gunn]
Day 13: After breakfast we will each checkout and make our way to Alaska Airlines for check in. Some will walk there with their luggage and others will use the hotel shuttle. Either way Coach likes us to be there a few hours before our flight departure at 11:35AM.
Cherish your memories of Washington State!
LODGING INFO & RESTAURANT LOCATION MAPS
LEAVENWORTH
LEAVENWORTH
LEAVENWORTH
ANACORTES
LEAVENWORTH
LEAVENWORTH
906 9th Street
360.293.0602
Breakfast on your own
Calico Cafe 7AM (453')
14 Restaurants
(within 4 blocks)
OLYMPIA
LEAVENWORTH
PORT ANGELES
PORT ANGELES
LINK LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM
PORT ANGELES
SEATTLE
LINK LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM
LINK LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM
17338 International Boulevard
206-248-1000
Breakfast 6AM
Dine in 6AM-11PM or in Seattle
(A Link Light Rail station 2 blocks south)
LINK LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM
LINK LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM
LINK LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM
The Link Light Rail (1 Line) is a direct, 38-minute, and economical ($3.25) option connecting Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) to downtown Seattle. Trains run every 8–15 minutes (5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily)
(just 2 blocks south of our hotel is Line 1, Station 64.)
MOBILE DEVICE NAVIGATION HELP
FINDING OUR MENU ON A MOBILE DEVICE
While the Menu across the top is very clear on a computer, it's less obvious on a mobile device. Touch the 3 bars to drop down the Menu. [see photo at left] More and more we are all using our powerful handheld devices more often than a computer.