Help Needed: Logistics to Olympic NP Trailheads

[damnitdash]

Hi everyone!

I’m in the pre-planning stage for the Grand Loop in Olympic National Park in late July/August and could use some help with logistics—especially since we’re aiming to avoid renting a vehicle (we'll be flying into SeaTac).

Since permits aren't available yet, I’m just exploring our options. We can start at any of these trail heads: Obstruction Point, Deer Park, or Dungeness Forks. The tricky part is figuring out that last step to the trailheads.

Here’s what I’ve found so far:

• I found the Dungeness Line Bus and Clallam Transit, which can get us to Hurricane Ridge.
  • Is it realistic to hitch a ride from Hurricane Ridge to Obstruction Point?
  • If not, is walking along the road an option, or is that a bad idea?
• We used a hiker shuttle in the past for the Hoh River TH, but a "custom route" to Deer Park or Dungeness Forks would cost about $400—yikes!
• There's always Uber/taxi. I'm not fond of this and will keep it on the back burner.
• Are there any other shuttles, services, or creative solutions I might have missed?

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

-Dash



(photos from our ONP trip in 2021)

 

[Nethos]

I will ping some PNW friends, but it may also be worth posting on NWHikers, as well as calling the ranger station(when they are open) to ask these questions as well. I have definitely picked up hitchhikers in the park before,(though not in this specific area) so it does happen. The biggest thing with hitching is always just being flexible, but permits in this park aren't hard IME so you may want to pad a day or two in case you don't get a ride. Also, only you can know how good you are at yogi'ing rides from the Visitor Center parking lot.

 

[canadug]

As you have found public transit is almost non-existent......Getting to most THs is super difficult without a car or some kind of private shuttle. Like Nethos mentioned it would be worth posting on NWHikers as that is more the area you are wanting to go. I have backpacked in Olympic Nat Park quite a few times and it is pretty sweet....Best of luck on your trip!