Climbing

At 7,980 feet, Mt. Olympus is the highest peak in the park and the most popular climb in the region. To attempt the summit, climbers must register at the Glacier Meadows Ranger Station. Mt. Constance, the third-highest Olympic peak at 7,743 feet, has a well-traversed climbing route that requires technical experience; reservations are recommended for the Lake Constance stop, which is limited to 20 campers. Mt. Deception is another possibility, though tricky snows have caused fatalities and injuries in the last decade.

Climbing season runs from late June through September. Note that crevasse skills and self-rescue experience are highly recommended. Climbers must register with park officials and purchase wilderness permits before setting out. The best resource for climbing advice is the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles.

Tours and Outfitters

Mountain Madness. Adventure through the rain forest to the glaciated summit of Mt. Olympus on a five-day trip, offered several times per year by Mountain Madness. Washington. 800/328–5925; 206/937–8389; www.mountainmadness.com. From $1350 for 5-day climb.

The Olympia Mountaineers. A branch of the Seattle Mountaineers, this group schedules climbing-oriented activities throughout the park. Washington. 360/754–1530; www.olympiamountaineers.org.