I would factor in traffic and trying to find parking, that will add more time to the commute, especially in summer. Like, unless you get to the Mt. Rainier gate in the early morning there's going to be a long wait even just to get into the park (like even up to an hour and a half sometimes). Also unless you both are in great shape that sounds like a lot of strenuous hiking, you might not get all those hikes in - I'd pay attention to the elevation gain on these hikes. Last time I hiked the Skyline trail it took me about 5 hours, and I was in average shape back then.

Thanks, heads up on the traffic is helpful, I figured it would be bad in the summer but I’ll definitely make sure we arrive early! We are above average hikers but if we have to omit something because we’re too exhausted I won’t be upset. It’s more of a best case scenario itinerary I reckon.

Did skyline loop take you 5 hours because you were exhausted or because you went at a more leisurely pace taking in the scenery?

I'd say a combination of both. Steep hills, switchbacks, stopping for lunch, pictures, etc. The skyline trail is worth it though, the panorama point viewpoint at the top is beautiful. But to be fair, I last hiked it about a decade ago so my memory might be fuzzy.

You have a ton of the good stuff on the list, if I could make any suggestion it would be to spend a bit more time at ruby beach, it’s a magical place. I hope you love moving because your list is going to keep you nonstop on the go.

I think Stevens canyon road may be closed weekdays again this year. I know it was last year and wasn’t finished. This is the easiest way to get from paradise to sunrise. Something to consider.

Spend more time on ruby beach ✏️✏️✏️. Heard that, will definitely incorporate!

I’ve used google maps to get an idea of all the drive times and distances, it’s definitely a lot of travel time, but it seems like it will be worth it!

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If you want to fully explore Hole in the wall you'll want to time your hike for low tide.

For Mount Fremont, if you can manage it that place is at it's best at sunset. Stay a while for the stars too.

Apologies if I missed it, but Cascade Pass in N Cascades NP is incredible and worth doing

Seems you have only considered walking time for the hikes but not enjoyment time, stopping to take pictures, potty breaks, etc.

It’s not my estimated time, just what the average time to complete on AllTrails shows, it’s mostly just a reference for myself.

Someone else already mentioned the wait time to get into Mt. Rainier. Typically I recommend people get into the park before 7am or the traffic will back up for a mile or more. If this happens, turn around, go to Skate Creek Rd. which you just passed and hike to High Rock Lookout (assuming you have a sunny day). Then enter the park in the evening after the traffic has dissipated. Hopefully you're staying inside the park for the days you're there.

Another thought, a lot of the parking lots for the popular hikes are very small. From personal experience, this is very true for the Marymere Falls trail/Mt Storm King trail since they both leave from the same parking lot. If you do get a parking spot there, I'd recommend doing both hikes the same day. Marymere is pretty but not that spectacular.

Comet Falls in Mt Rainier NP has the same issue with only 15 or so parking spots. You can either rely on luck to get a spot or arrive there really early (like before 7am). If you do Comet Falls, hiking on from there up to Van Trump Park is epic. You'll feel like you're standing on the mountain itself in an alpine meadow surrounded by wildflowers.

I would agree that these often take 1.5x the duration provided by AllTrails to stop and check things out, take a photo here and there, examine a plant, adjust your pack, etc. When we blow through a trail without stopping, or run the dog through one and only stop for doggy potty breaks, it tends to be accurate.

Planning to hike five miles, drive, then hike 2 miles might not be the most fun use of your visit. We have a ton of incredible, beautiful trails and I want you to be able to see and experience all of them. Plan some contingencies, like staying longer at one of the beaches instead of hopping from trail to trail. If you can get it all in, you’re going to see so much.

Best wishes for your travels.

I would check out cape flattery, highly recommended it.

I have a co worker who used to live here and also highly recommended this today. I have to add it for sure now.

Man those small parking lots are killer. Alright so super early got it, we went to Banff NP last year and didn’t get parking when we arrived to one of the hikes at 4 am. Thanks for the tips and back up plan!

4-ish hours is not nearly enough time to appreciate Victoria. By the time you walk around town and get lunch it'll almost be time to turn around and go back again. It deserves 1-2 days at least if you're going to make the trip.

It’s a courtesy visit for my fiancé, after going to Banff and Jasper last year, she has become obsessed with Canada. Upon her research she realized we can go to Victoria Canada and now there is no NOT going.

Are you flying back to Greenville, SC?

Yes

Add 10 minutes per hour for commute times.

And you do you guys, but it’s a lot of driving around and going from place to place. Personally, I might pace it a little differently. Spend a little more time in some places, and maybe skip some others.

Sweet. We lived there for many years before relocating here. Just heads up - you might want to move here after your visit. Lol

We actually already want to move to the west coast. Washington and Oregon were high on our list (like # 1&2 spots) we really enjoy nature and hiking. She’s been in South Carolina her whole life and I’ve been here 20 ish years. That’s actually why we’re kinda dedicated to make a full loop around Washington, I know we’re hitting touristy spots and national parks and it will probably be like a honeymooning phase. But we’re feeling it out to move as well haha. We went to Arizona, Utah and Colorado last year and was a huge eye opener for us!

I would maybe think about taking more rest or relax time in between each national park, that’s a lot of hiking (we have a lot of steep hikes around here) and driving (we also have a lot of summer traffic). Also, in my opinion, N Cascades and Bham are an easier drive from the peninsula than doing Rainier first. Since Rainier is closer to SeaTac than N Cascades, I would think about switching those two.

Thanks for the input! Will definitely look into that and reevaluate

Upstate, SC has changed a lot since Covid and you can take it from that if you think it’s for the better or worse. We aren’t there anymore so you can figure out my opinion. Clemson University has changed a lot too and become more of a business school.

You have so much fun planned! There will be a wait to get up to Hurricane Ridge. Make sure you check the hood canal bridge for closures if you plan to drive through Kitsap county to get over to the Olympic peninsula or for getting back to the Seattle ferry. Even just spending the day at Lake Cesent is an amazing summer day!!

Seconding this. It would be an absolute shame to miss it

San Juan Islands

Very ambitious. Very very ambitious.

Doesn't say where you're staying most of the time. Local place, or going back to 'home base' in Tacoma almost every day?

You have multiple long hikes on some days...along with potential hours of driving. You don't have many breaks to rest.

It's a good wishlist, but I don't know about seeing all of that in one trip.

At least make it a full day, don't try to squeeze in more. Victoria is enough for a day.

If your in Leavenworth I recommend driving past Wenatchee and out to the scab lands since it’s a whole different feeling. Plus the Columbia river is right there also.

Don’t ignore the nice trails off of I 90 like rattlesnake ridge twin falls snoqualmie falls, snow lake and the like. Also highly recommend checking out deception pass corner bay and the north beach. The shrimp shack is an amazing place to get food.

Also Discovery park is really near Seattle and has a great trail and beach.

Also are you gonna get burned out from physical exertion from hiking multiple days unless you are used to this type of physical exertion?

Do half this stuff and enjoy what you do do 4 times as much.

We’re staying in the location everywhere we go or very close ; when in forks we have a place in forks, when in port Angeles staying in port Angeles, when in mt Ranier staying in Packwood, so on and so forth

OK that's good.

I think some of those days with a 4+ mile hike and 7+ mile hike are going to be too much, but I'm not really a hiker.

When you get home you're going to need a vacation from your vacation. You're packing a lot in. :)

You have a very solid list, not much to say. One thing to be aware of, that Lake Colchuck hike is going to be very busy. I would get there before sunrise. I'm not even joking, there were like 100 cars when I went last summer, and I got there just after sunrise. The parking lot was full and there was like a mile of cars parked along the forest road. I don't think during the entire hike I was alone, it was a fucking mob of people. That said, the hike was lovely and the payoff at the top is worth it. But get there early!

That is really good to know! I will definitely arrive before sunrise now that you mention that. I anticipated it being busy but I definitely want to get parking. Does it require any kind of parking pass I need to get in advance you’re aware of? I thought I read something about that.

You just need a Northwest Forest Pass and have it displayed in your vehicle. I'm not sure how these passes work for out of state people visiting, so I'd look into that. The other pass you'll want to look into getting is the Discover Pass, which is required for state owned parks and recreation areas.

On the 14th when you’re by Sol Duck Falls. Go to Sol Duc Hot Springs, you won’t be sorry!

I'll second that!! If you make it to Comet Falls, it's only another 700 feet up to Van Trump Park, which is legendary. Just pretty in all directions. And you'll want to explore a bit :).

Another Mt Rainier tip. When you are parked at the Reflections Lake parking, right across the road is a delightful trail up to the summit of Plummer Peak. It is an easy 1,500' climb, with a great summit, which looks across Reflection Lake to Mt Rainier itself, rising a good two miles above you :). In fact, if I had a choice between the Reflections Lake loop trail and Plummer Peak, I'd do the peak in a heartbeat. You can always walk down to Reflection Lake and get a feel for it by walking along the shore for a few feet. And then head for Plummer Peak :).