The Olympic Traverse - 8 Days Alone Through Washington's Wildest Park

► ABOUT THIS ADVENTURE
In August 2026 I walked 122.9 miles (197.8 km) and 31,027 ft (9,457 m) of climbing across Olympic National Park in 8 days, alone, with about a third of it off-trail. The route was designed together with Alexander Schoemann, who knows this park better than anyone I know.
From the Sol Duc Trailhead I climbed to the High Divide, then left the trail for the northern Bailey Range Traverse, camping at Stephen Lake and crossing Mount Ferry and Ludden Peak before getting to Dodger Point. From there I descended to the Elwha River and camped near Humes Ranch, then climbed back to the high country over Hurricane Ridge and into the Grand Valley. I left the trail again for Lake Lillian, traversed the ridge below McCartney Peak to Cameron Pass, and followed the Dosewallips River to Mount Anderson. The last days took me down the Quinault River into the Enchanted Valley and out at Graves Creek.
Route available here: harmenhoek.com/plan

► TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:57 Day 1 - Hoh Rain Forest
7:24 Day 2 - The Bailey Traverse
13:56 Day 3 - Hurricane Ridge
17:43 Day 4 - Lake Lillian
22:19 Day 5 - In the rainforest
26:13 Day 6 - Mount Anderson
32:05 Day 7 - Enchanted Valley
37:59 Day 8 - Quinault Rain Forest
39:09 Outro