- …
- Yak
- Quests
- Lower 48 Ultras
- Mount Olympus
7,980 ft · Olympic Mountains, Washington
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is a 7,980 ft peak in the Olympic Mountains, Washington. The standard route is the Hoh River Trail: 42 mi, 8,602 ft of gain, Class 5.
Mount Olympus at a glance
- Elevation7,980 ft2,432 m
- RouteHoh River TrailClass 5
- Distance42 mi8,602 ft gain
- Time3 – 4 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJun – Aug
- RangeOlympic MountainsWashington
Climbing the Hoh River Trail
From the Hoh Rain Forest near Forks, Washington, backpack the Hoh River Trail for miles to Glacier Meadows below the Blue Glacier; this is usually a three to four day trip. The summit is a Class 5 glacier climb requiring rope, crampons, ice axe, and crevasse rescue skills. Expect glacier travel, rockfall, steep exposure, and storms that roll in off the Pacific with fog and rain. Wilderness permits are required and river crossings can be tricky. Start your summit day early, rope up on the glacier, and be ready for changing conditions. This is a serious mountaineering objective, not a hike.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (65–75 L)
Mountaineering Boots
Crampons
Gaiters
Ice Axe
Helmet
Rope
Harness
Carabiners
Belay Device
Trekking Poles
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Hardshell Pants
Warm Hat
Sun Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Heavyweight Gloves
Glacier Glasses
Goggles
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Headlamp
GPS Device
Satellite Communicator
Power Bank
Offline Maps- Compass
- Paper Map
Water
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Whistle
Emergency Bivy
Sleeping Bag (0°F to 20°F)
Sleeping Pad
What to watch for
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Rockfall
- Steep exposure
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
- Remote location
- Boggy terrain
- Stream crossing
- Technical climbing
- Icefall
- Avalanches
Quests with Mount Olympus
Lower 48 UltrasFrequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Olympus?
Mount Olympus is 7,980 feet (2,432 m) tall. It is in the Olympic Mountains, Washington.
How hard is it to climb Mount Olympus?
The Hoh River Trail is Class 5, which means technical climbing with a rope and protection. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 42 miles with 8,602 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Mount Olympus?
Most climbers plan 3 – 4 days for the Hoh River Trail, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Mount Olympus dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Mount Olympus?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Hoh River Trail for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
When is the best time to climb Mount Olympus?
The usual climbing window is June to August. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Mount Olympus with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list