Adventure Trips

Get outside with Puget Sound Outdoors!

Want to experience the outdoors, learn new skills, and meet new people? Look no further! PSO offers various types of trips throughout the year for you to get outside whether you want to explore nature local to Tacoma, play in the snow, or even travel to another state during spring break! Our trained leaders plan each trip and will teach you the basics of what you need to know.

Unless otherwise stated, our trips are designed to be introductory experiences. For some trips, we do recommend or require some prior experience. That information would be found in the trip description on the trips linked on this page.
 

 

Trip-related Information

Once a trip is open for registration, you may register at the Expeditionary in-person or over the phone during our open hours. Payment for the trip is required to hold your spot on the trip.

Trip registration includes transportation, equipment rentals, instruction from trained leaders, and any entrance, reservation, or camping fees. Meals are also included on overnight trips.

If a trip is filled and you would like to be placed on the waitlist, you can be added by the Expeditionary staff. If a spot becomes available, everyone on the waitlist will be contacted and the spot will fill on a first-come-first-served basis.

Pre-trip meetings are mandatory in order to participate in PSO trips. They typically occur within the week leading up to the trip, but you will be given specific meeting information upon registering for your trip. Your trip leaders will also e-mail you a meeting reminder.

During this meeting, you will meet your trip leaders and other people going on the trip. Trip leaders will review important logistics and safety information with you. You may also practice some skills related to the trip and get fitted for and check out any necessary equipment for your participation. All equipment is included as part of your registration so you will not pay any additional rental fees for the trip.

You will also fill out a medical information card and liability forms. Please come prepared with your medical insurance information.

If Puget Sound Outdoors cancels the trip due to weather, lack of participants, or other circumstances, the participant will receive a refund.

For the following trip types, if the participant cancels their registration the indicated number of business days (defined as Monday-Friday when classes are in session) or more prior to the first day of the trip, a refund will be given. Cancellations made after those time frames will not be eligible for a refund. If you or Puget Sound Outdoors are able to find another individual to take your place on the trip 2 or more business days in advance for a 1-2 day trip or 5 or more business days in advance for a 3+ day trip, a refund will be given.

Trip Length Refund Eligible Refund Ineligible
Trip Length 1-2 Days Refund Eligible 6 or more business days before the first day of the trip Refund Ineligible 5 or less business days before the first day of the trip
Trip Length 3+ Days Refund Eligible 11 or more business days before the first day of the trip Refund Ineligible 10 or less business days before the first day of the trip

 

All cancellations and refund requests must be submitted through our Trip Cancellation and Refund Request Form. The timestamp generated from the completion of this form will act as the official time of your cancellation/refund request.

Trip Cancellation and Refund Request Form

Fall 2024 Trips

Check out all the trips we are offering this semester! Unless otherwise stated, trips are open to all experience levels.

Location: Otter Falls, North Bend, WA

Cost: $11

Pre Trip Meeting: September 14, 2024 - 11:00am

Driving Time from Campus: 1:30

Join us as we hike along the Taylor River to see the 1,200 foot Otter Falls! Roundtrip this is an 8.16 miles hike with 1,150 feet of elevation gain and is rated as a moderate hike. It’s also looking like it’ll be great for seeing some fungi!

 

 

Location: Goat Rocks Wilderness, Randle, WA

Cost: $39

Pre Trip Meeting: September 18 - 5:30pm

Driving Time from Campus: 3:00

Explore the meadows and ridgelines of the Goat Rocks Wilderness on this overnight backpacking loop in the South Cascades! If we’re lucky enough to have clear skies, we’ll also be able to see Mt. Adams in the distance. In total, you will hike 12.8 miles with 2,600 feet of elevation gain. This is a moderate/difficult trail.

Location: Icicle Creek Canyon, Leavenworth, WA

Cost: $61

Pre Trip Meeting: September 18 - 5:30pm

Driving Time from Campus: 3:00

Join climbing cords for a super awesome bouldering adventure in the majestic town of Leavenworth Washington! We will camp just outside the boulders and have lots of time to climb and explore the area! No previous outdoor climbing experience or personal gear necessary! Come hang!!!

Location: Franklin Falls, North Bend, WA

Cost: $11

Pre Trip Meeting: September 26 - 6:00pm

Driving Time from Campus: 1:15

Come along with us for a whimsical fairy hike to Franklin Falls! This is a very mellow hike with a beautiful waterfall at the end!

Location: Royal Basin, Olympic National Park

Cost: $18

Pre Trip Meeting: September 26 - 5:30pm

Driving Time from Campus: 2:45

Hey you! Wanna go backpacking but don’t want to eat freeze dried meals or boring old trail mix? We have just the trip for you! This beginner friendly goumet backpacking trip has all the bells and whistles! Yummy food, "designer" tents, and beautiful views of Olympic National Park!

Location: Westport Light State Park, Westport, WA

Cost: $52

Pre Trip Meeting: October 4 - 5:00pm

Driving Time from Campus: 2:00

Join us for a gnarly day of surfing some PNW waves! No surfing experience is necessary for this PSO adventure, this is beginner-friendly! However, you will need to pass a simple swim test to attend the trip. The registration fee will cover the surfboard and wetsuit rentals!

Location: Swan Creek Park, Tacoma, WA

Cost: $9

Pre Trip Meeting: October 3 - 6:00pm

Driving Time from Campus: 0:15

Ready to cruise through the trees, and flow through nature? Join this beginner-friendly mountain biking trip with us. Rental bikes and helmets are included in the price of the trip! Sign up at the Expy and hit the trails with us!

Location: Ape Cave Interpretive Site, Mt. St. Helens, WA

Cost: $64

Pre Trip Meeting: October 9 - 6:30pm

Driving Time from Campus: 2:45

BOO! Are you scared? You will be if you come caving... Just kidding! Come explore Ape Caves with us and stay in cozy cabins! Make sure to pack a flashlight and some scary stories for this overnight trip near Mt St Helens. This beginner-friendly adventure will explore 2.4 miles of beautiful and unique terrain!

Location: Gold Bar Bouldering Area, Gold Bar, WA

Cost: $15

Pre Trip Meeting: October 11 - 4:00pm

Driving Time from Campus: 1:45

Join the spectacular climbing coords for a fun day of bouldering in GOLDBAR. All skill levels welcome, come with us for a day in the woods and a day of send.

Location: Snow Lake, North Bend, WA

Cost: $13

Pre Trip Meeting: October 11 - 4:00pm

Driving Time from Campus: 1:15

Join our awesome leaders on an epic day hike to Snow Lake (no snow included). This hike is 7.2 miles round trip with 1,800 feet of elevation! The views are amazing and we will take an monumental lunch break at the lake!

Location Olympic National Park Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Cost $90 $90
Pre Trip Meeting October 15 - 5:00pm October 16 - 6:00pm
Driving Time From Campus 3:15 2:30

Enjoy a your fall break by backpacking in the beautiful landscapes that Washington has to offer! Join us as we trek through Olympic National Park to see and experience the Enchanted Valley or visit the Alpine Lakes Wilderness with us in the Cascades as we hike the Necklace Valley Trail. Whichever option you choose, be ready for some challenge, but also a rewarding hike with great views and fun times with your fellow Loggers!

Location: North Bend, WA

Cost: $10

Pre Trip Meeting: October 24 - 7:30pm

Driving Time from Campus: 1:15

Run on down to the Expy to sign up for a beautiful 10k jaunt in the Snoqualmie Pass area in the changing fall color forest on an old railroad grade trail. Our leaders are stoked to lead this awesome (and new!) adventure. Participants please have your own adequate running shoes (you do not need trail running specific shoes). We will maintain a moderate pace (9-11 minute miles), previous running experience and ability to run 6 miles is necessary. 

Location: Duthie Hill Park, Issaquah, WA

Cost: $12

Pre Trip Meeting: November 1 - 4:00pm

Driving Distance from Campus: 1:!5

Zoom down to the expy if you want to sign up for an awesome mountain biking trip! Come along with us on this beginner-friendly, super sick trip to Duthie Hill. Rental bikes and helmets are included in the price of this trip, so get stoked to hit the trails with us!

Location: Mt. Ellinor, Hoodsport, WA

Cost: $13

Pre Trip Meeting: November 1 - 6:00pm

Driving Distance from Campus: 2:00

Come along with us for a moderate to challenging hike. Low mileage but 3,300 feet of elevation gain for some MAGNIFICENT views!! 

Location: Barclay Lake, North Bend, WA

Cost: $13

Pre Trip Meeting: November 6 - 6:00pm

Driving Distance from Campus: 2:10

Join us for a popular hike to Barclay Lake! At 4.4 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain, this hike is well suited for beginners or folks looking for a chiller experience. The hike features a little bridge too!

Location: Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar, WA

Cost: $19

Pre Trip Meeting: November 14 - 6:30pm

Driving Distance from Campus: 1:40

Join us for a culinary excursion in the wilderness. This 5.7 mile trek includes gourmet snacks and a scrumptious meal cooked on trail. This low to moderately difficulty hike has 1300 feet of elevation gain and the trail showcases the majestic beauty of the Central Cascades. Head over to the Expy to claim your spot on this once in a lifetime culinary expedition.

Location: Lena Lake, Hoodsport, WA

Cost: $12

Pre Trip Meeting: November 20 - 6:00pm

Driving Distance from Campus: 2:00

HOLY MOLY! It’s the last PSO trip of the semester! Make the most of it, and hike to the gorgeous Lena Lake on the Olympic Peninsula with us! This 7.2 mile round trip is rated as moderate, and includes 1,300 feet of elevation gain through old growth forest. Hope to see you there!