Ultimate Northwest

Trip Summary

Embark on a 24-day journey through an untamed and diverse landscape that embodies true adventure. Hike with crashing waves on one side and soaring cliffs on the other on Olympic National Park's coastline. Rock climb and mountain bike near Bend, OR—one of the world’s premier destinations for both sports! Explore the untouched Goat Rocks Wilderness, shaped by extinct volcanoes, laden with vibrant wildflowers, and surrounded by 360-degree views of neighboring volcanoes. Master whitewater kayaking on the Klickitat River before attempting a summit on the famous Mt. St. Helens volcano. Conclude your epic adventure with a whitewater rafting trip down the world-renowned White Salmon River. This is the ULTIMATE Pacific Northwest experience!

Itinerary

Explore miles of stunning coastline in Olympic National Park, home to one of the country's wildest and most beautiful beach hikes. Over four days, you'll spot bald eagles, otters, sea lions, and seals while hiking with the Pacific Ocean on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. Camp on secluded beaches, surrounded by your new best friends, impressive sea stacks, and starry skies. This unforgettable hike promises breathtaking scenery and amazing wildlife encounters—you won't want to miss this one!

Strap on your helmet and hit some of the country’s best singletrack trails for two days of epic mountain biking. Start by learning tips and tricks on flat, beginner-friendly terrain beneath the towering 9,068-foot Mt. Bachelor. With options for every level of experience, choose your challenge as your group winds through pine forests and descends breathlessly downhill.

Discover why Smith Rock attracts climbers from all over the world. Spend two days testing your grit on the park’s impressive spires made of welded volcanic tuff. We’ll set up ropes for every ability level, so you can progress at your own pace. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you advance through the grades. After a satisfying day at the crag, visit a nearby river for an afternoon of swimming and cliff-jumping!

Named for the mountain goats you’re likely to spot, spend four days exploring the immeasurably spectacular alpine terrain of the Goat Rocks Wilderness! Vibrant wildflowers fill the valleys, while snow-capped volcanoes rise in all directions. Hike above tree line for views that can stretch up to 100 miles away! This is one of the most extraordinarily beautiful areas we’ve ever visited, and you and your friends will make memories to last a lifetime. This is an absolutely iconic hike and an Adventure Treks favorite.

Set down your backpack and pick up a paddle for three days of kayaking on this scenic tributary of the Columbia River. Start by mastering basic paddling strokes and safety techniques on flat water, then progress to class I and II rapids. On day three, you can refine your skills on mellower runs or challenge yourself with roll clinics and fun class III waves! No experience necessary—just an enthusiastic attitude to have a ton of fun on the river!

Climb Mt. St. Helens and stand on the edge of the ever-growing crater and its surrounding glacier, literally watching geology in the making. The summit rewards you with stunning 360-degree views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. Plus, explore the world-famous Ape Caves beneath this iconic volcano. This is a life-changing summit hike that often ends up on college essays!

Ranked as a top place to visit worldwide by the New York Times, the White Salmon River is a must-experience adventure! This Wild and Scenic River is federally protected, ensuring pristine water and forestry. Get ready for an exhilarating ride as you and your friends tackle fun, sustained rapids—teamwork is a must, and laughter is guaranteed.

Trip Details

Arrival/Departure

Portland, OR (PDX)

Grades

9th, 10th, 11th

Length

24 Days

Dates

6/23 - 7/167/17 - 8/9

Tuition

$6,595

Activities

Backpacking
Mountain biking
Mountaineering
Rock climbing
Whitewater kayaking

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Included in tuition:
  • All meals
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and all group gear
  • Guided activities
Not included in tuition:
  • Airfare to and from Portland, OR (PDX)
  • Travel protection (more info here)
  • Personal clothing and items (packing lists available for enrolled families)
Travel information
  • Arrive in PDX on opening day between 9 am and 12 pm
  • Depart from PDX on closing day between 5:30 am and 11 am
  • Find more travel information here
Camping

About two-thirds of our nights are spent at "frontcountry" campsites, where we'll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. This may be a public or private campground. We often stay at the same frontcountry site a few days in a row.

The other third will be spent "backcountry" camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities. Many multi-day activities like backpacking take place in the backcountry.

Challenge/fitness level

No experience necessary; all skill levels welcome! We'll teach students everything they need to know to be successful and have lots of fun.

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so Adventure Treks does not "rate" its trips based on challenge. However, because we’ll be engaged in different outdoor activities throughout each trip, our students have the responsibility to be physically fit. We know physical fitness looks different for everyone, but it’s important to come prepared so that you and your fellow students can succeed. One student not coming prepared with physical fitness will negatively impact the entire group. In the months leading up to their trip, students should develop a routine that emphasizes stamina and sustaining a moderate level of exertion for many hours, several days in a row. Running, swimming, bicycling, aerobics classes, and team sports are all beneficial and will help improve cardiovascular fitness in preparation for a student’s trip.

Zoher Karu, Los Gatos, CA

July 2024

Adventure Treks has incredible itineraries in incredible locations. It's great way for kids to become even more independent in a safe space with like-minded kids from around the country. And a great way to get off the screens and explore some fabulous scenery. My son continues to develop into a young adult! He has more indepedendence, more awareness of others, is more talkative!

Catriona Moore, Durham, NC

July 2022

AT has been the highlight of our daughter's year since her first trip in 2021. What better way to spend a part of summer than in nature, with other teenagers, in the capable hands of amazing trip leaders and guides? It was a huge financial investment for us, and not taken lightly, but it was worth every penny for the sense of connection and belonging to the group, and reverence for the natural world, that was fostered and sustained through AT adventures. Education at its best. You really know teenagers. While my husband and I value the wilderness experiences and calculated risks of the adventures, we have been so impressed at the organization and planning (all the behind the scenes work) that goes into the programs. You are creating life-changing and life-shaping experiences, grounded in the restorative power of the natural world.

Carey Macaleer, Brooklyn, NY

July 2023

The AT program is a gem! My two children have done a total of four trips in past three years. AT continually has top-notch instructors, who genuinely care for your children. AT's authenticity is unmatched, and its focus on safety is why it is the number one program. AT is giving kids an opportunity to dive into nature, experience socializing with no devices and discover confidence that can not happen at home. There is incredible and thoughtful planning that goes into each trip. As parents we appreciate the pictures and updates which are consistent and fun! The effort given by the entire AT team exceeds expectations every year. It's magic!

Ashley Burke, Madison, MS

July 2023

Adventure Treks surpassed all our expectations and offers the ideal summer experience for your teenager, immersing them in nature and unplugging from devices. It's not your typical camp with cabins and campus activities; instead, it focuses on teaching invaluable life skills that cannot be learned elsewhere. The program's administration excels in communication and organization, while the instructors are exceptional. Your child will come back forever changed after attending. My son returned transformed, brimming with renewed energy, passion, determination, and happiness. It provided him with an array of new friendships, thanks to the device-free environment that facilitated quick and meaningful connections with fellow students . Moreover, he has developed a newfound interest in hiking, rafting, and the great outdoors.  My son returned transformed in the most positive manner—rejuvenated, enthusiastic, driven, joyful, and having forged numerous new friendships. He encountered opportunities not easily available in MS, leaving a lasting impression. His newfound love for the outdoors has ignited a desire to join the Alaska adventure next summer alongside his new friends. Don't hesitate to provide your child with the experience of a lifetime at Adventure Treks. It promises an unforgettable journey that will leave a lasting positive impact.

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