On a gorgeous early September evening, the west-coast sun was quickly playing catch-up to the horizon when the group of eight Wilderness Inquiry adventurers rounded the last bend to Lake Crescent — their entry point to a five-day Olympic National Park adventure. After a winding, three-hour traverse from the urban jungle of Seattle, the six travelers and two Outdoor Leaders stepped out of their 10-person van to a seemingly different world.
Just steps ahead lay a vista unlike anything most of them had ever seen: Lake Crescent, a glacially-carved and aptly-named body scything over seven miles across the land, almost perfectly ringed by rolling foothills and sharply-graded cliffsides. While behind them towered an endless wall of lush, verdant green — the edge of Olympic National Park’s primeval, mixed old-growth stands and temperate rainforest.
While Aaron and Jake — the trip’s two Outdoor Leaders — went to check in at the historic Lake Crescent Lodge, the others roamed the incredible grounds; mountains, water, beach, and forest converging as one. By dinnertime, the glowing amber disc had finally kissed the land, and following the first of many delicious meals they shared together in the lodge’s dining room, most of the group hurried outside to the wooden fishing pier for the trip’s first sunset.
Trip participant Howard, accompanied by his wife Judy, felt an immediate and emotional sense of place in these initial hours. At age 77 and 80, respectively, they had passed through the area many years prior, and he later recalled just how much it meant to return:
“My wife and I had driven through the Lake Crescent area years ago and I remembered it as one of the most beautiful places I’d ever seen. The memory of the moment I got back to the lake, when I got out of the Wilderness Inquiry van as we arrived at the lodge on day one and took in that breathtaking view, will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Enjoying The Best of Both Worlds
This type of lifelong connection and accessibility to outdoor spaces is exactly what Wilderness Inquiry adult trips aim to foster. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or adventuring with friends or family, these are collective experiences built on the philosophy that just as nature is strengthened by diversity, so is our community. Young adults, older adults, and everyone in between — they’re for all ages 18+!
While some adult trips offer more traditional camping-based experiences, the most popular options we offer are lodge-based adventures. With inclusivity at the core of our mission, lodge-based trips provide the same quality and level of outdoor engagement and adventure as our camping-based trips, while expanding our reach to provide indoor accommodations for all ages and needs. According to Anne Strootman — Participant and Volunteer Engagement Manager at Wilderness Inquiry — this benefit may be particularly important for older adults:
We serve many older adults who feel that their “camping” days are behind them but they are still very interested in enjoying the benefits of being outdoors. A lodge-based trip is the best of both worlds… immersion in the outdoors during the day and a comfy bed at night.”
They can also be vital from an accessibility standpoint. There are numerous barriers to entry people may face with outdoor adventures, not the least of which is a lack of reliable access to electricity for personal needs. So as Anne described, “Going on a lodge-based trip gives a participant [that access] to charge medical devices such as a CPAP, stable refrigeration for medications, and reduces concern about the challenges surrounding personal care in the wilderness.”
On this Olympic adventure, the group’s six participants ranged in age from 62 to 80, and came from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and places across the United States. From day two to four of the trip, their time was well-spent exploring various activities in and around the national park: including hikes through the magical Hoh Rainforest; a trek up the mountainous trails of Hurricane Ridge; rejuvenating in the famous Sol Duc Hot Springs; and walking the rugged coastline and rocky beaches of the Olympic Peninsula.
This is the typical nature of lodge-based adventures: the days are busy and exciting, but the evenings are relaxed — and most importantly, these trips are always tailored around the abilities and desires of the group. In all adult trip locations, we propose various itineraries that fit many ability levels and often have the option to split into subgroups during the day that hike or paddle at different paces. In reflecting on her experience, Judy highlighted just how helpful this was:
I was a bit worried that, at age 80, I might not be able to keep up with the rest of the group. Happily, this was not a problem and the group leaders were wonderful about everyone’s speed and agility levels. Though I was often the last person on the trail, I never felt rushed or judged.”
Howard felt similarly, particularly after he struggled to reach the top of Hurricane Ridge, and ultimately chose to wait at a lower elevation for the group to return. “In deciding to wait for the group to return from the mountaintop, I was reminded of my physical limitations and of the wisdom of listening to my body, of not pushing too far, of knowing when ‘good enough’ is enough,” he said.
Building Bridges and Lifelong Connections
This sense of togetherness, patience, and understanding was palpable throughout the group’s Olympic experience. Both Judy and Howard were quick to recall the strong bonding that occurred right from the start. The very first night, following their lakeside sunset, the majority of the group went for a short hike through the woods bordering Lake Crescent. It became darker faster, however, than they were anticipating, and on the way back they found themselves separated from the main trail they had followed. After deliberating, the best option became crossing a shallow stream, with the lodge within eyesight on the opposite bank. Together, they helped each other find their footing, step carefully, and reach the other side safely.
“As a group of people who had met just a few hours earlier, working our way through a challenge like this was an unintended but powerful bonding experience,” recounted Howard. “Everyone was calm, supportive, and positive, and we returned with a good story to tell.”
This perfectly encapsulates what these trips are all about: celebrating differences, bringing unique strengths to the table, and accomplishing shared goals. A collective power, hopefully leading to personal discovery and lifelong memories. “My husband and I met, interacted with, and enjoyed people from very different backgrounds and walks-of-life from our own — something that would not have happened if we had been traveling alone,” Judy reflected.
Before they knew it, though, four days had come and gone, and it was now time to journey back to the mainland — this time by van as well as by ferry, crossing the Puget Sound from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. The group enjoyed some final moments together exploring Pike Place Market before driving to Sea-Tac International Airport to begin their travels home.
They shared a bittersweet mix of feelings: gratitude for the incredible natural environments they experienced; appreciation for their bonding and time spent together; and a bit of sadness to leave those five magical days behind.
But the memories and lessons will certainly linger long after. So when Judy was asked what she would say to other adults who may be unsure of their abilities or whether a Wilderness Inquiry experience is right for them?
“I would say: try it. We had a terrific time! And it was certainly a better trip going with a group.”
Ready to experience your own adult lodge-based trip in 2026? See available options and lock in your spot before the new year!
Text and images by Jake Marble, Outdoor Leader Coordinator – External Relations
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