Volcanic Experiences
Tour of Cascades Volcanoes of Pacific NW of USA and Vancouver, Canada
July 22nd to
August 3rd 2010 Cost
£1950*
The Cascade range forms a chain
of
volcanoes in the Pacific NW region of North America, extending along
the
coastal range from British Columbia
in Canada in an arc
for around 700 miles as far as
northern California.
There are 13 major volcanoes in the range. Most are located in the
states of Washington and Oregon.
Lying on a destructive plate margin, part of the Pacific “Ring of
Fire”, the
volcanoes have been responsible for some spectacular eruptions over
many
thousands of years.
This tour gives the opportunity
to visit
three of the volcanoes at close hand (Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens
and Mount Hood), with more distant
viewing of at least three
others. The area is subject to heavy snowfall in the winter months, but
in
summer has a warm sunny climate. The landscape is spectacular, the
lower slopes
covered by extensive pine-forests, which give way to colourful meadows
carpeted
by alpine flowers. All the volcanoes have glaciers on their upper
slopes, and
the landscapes are a haven for wildlife.
<>The visit is open to all adults. The party will be led by Alan Clewlow, an
experienced geologist who will be on hand to offer advice and some
explanation
of the features seen. It will also offer
a superb opportunity for photography. The visit
will also give the chance to
spend some free time, which could be used to take in additional
excursions. The
visit ends with time in Vancouver, Canada, a beautiful modern city in a
stunning
setting alongside Puget Sound,
surrounded by
ice-capped mountains.<>
<>
Planned
itinerary.
(Please note that this might
have to be subject to slight amendment)
Day 1 (Thursday July 22nd)
Leave London
(Heathrow) on morning British Airlines flight to Seattle,
Washington state, USA,
arriving early afternoon local
time. Transfer by coach to 4-star Crowne Plaza
hotel in the city.
Day 2 (Friday)
Introductory talk after breakfast to
discuss the week’s activities. Coach to Mount
Rainier
National Park, entering via
north-east
entrance to Sunrise,
the highest point reached by road on the volcano. Picnic-lunch and time
in
visitor centre before taking walking trail for spectacular views of the
volcano
with the summit and the Emmons glacier. Late-afternoon coach-ride
around
southern flank, over Stevens
Pass to the
historic
Paradise Lodge, our base for the next two nights.
Day 3 (Saturday)
The day starts with a leisurely walk to a viewpoint
of the south-western flank of the volcano. Afterwards, there are a
number of
optional walks of varying length following well-marked trails, taking
in flower-carpeted
alpine meadows, waterfalls and a range of landscape features.
<>Day 4 (Sunday)
Morning coach-ride to Windy ridge,
overlooking Spirit Lake on the eastern side of Mount St. Helens, viewing the devastation to the
landscape and the local
forest caused by the 1980 eruption, and its subsequent recovery. The
route also
offers views of Mount
Adams. Later, our
route
via the Clearwater viewpoint will take
in Ape Cave
lava tube and the trail of two Forests, eventually reaching Kelso, for
a
one-night stay in local hotel.
<>
Day 5 (Monday)
We follow route 504 to Johnson ridge, the
main visitor centre for Mount St. Helens.
The
chance to hear talks on various topics by rangers at the centre, and to
watch a
video presentation about the 1980 eruption. A walking trail from the
centre
takes in some spectacular views of the volcano and the landscape around
it.
There should be time for those who choose to do so to take part in a
30-minute
helicopter-flight around the main crater. Late afternoon coach-ride to
the city
of Portland, Oregon, our base for the next two
nights,
where we check-in to a centrally located 4-star hotel.
<>
Day 6 (Tuesday)
A day at leisure in Portland,
the “city of bridges” on the Willamette
river.
The opportunity to explore the downtown area with its wealth of good
restaurants, clubs, bookstores and coffee houses or take part in one of
the
many optional excursions on offer into the surrounding region.
<>
Day 7 (Wednesday)
Coach transfer to Timberline lodge, high on
the southern flank of Mount Hood.
From here,
there is the option of following a walking trail, or taking the
chairlift to a
high-point, a favourite spot for skiers and snowboarders, to get a
better view
of the glaciers and other features on the volcano’s side.
<>
Day 8 (Thursday)
Morning drive around Mount Hood down the
Hood river valley to the point where it joins the historic Columbia
River
gorge, which marks the boundary between Oregon
and Washington
states. We follow the gorge westwards, stopping at various viewpoints,
including stops a The Bonneville Dam visitor centre and Multnoma
Falls, the 4th
highest
waterfall in the USA.
Afternoon drive to Seattle,
for overnight stay.
<>
Day 9 (Friday)
Transfer to Union station, Seattle
for morning Amtrak train to Vancouver,
in Canada.
The
route follows the coastline along the Juan de Fuca and Georgia Straits,
passing
coastal communities with views of the San Juan islands and another
Cascades
volcano ~ Mount Baker. The train has an air-conditioned observation car
and
offers comfortable reclining seats with a hot meals service. It arrives
in Vancouver
late-morning.
Transfer to 4-star Hyatt Regency hotel in the city centre, for 3 nights.
<>
Days 10-11 (Saturday & Sunday)
Free time in Vancouver,
with the opportunity to take part
in a range of excursions. These could include a boat trip to Vancouver Island or a harbour tour, a cable-car
to Grouse mountain, seaplane
sightseeing flights, or a trip up into the mountains to Whistler. You
may
prefer to just stay in this spectacular city with its many attractions
~ Granville
island, the waterfront area, Stanley
Park, Chinatown,
Gastown, and many more.
<>
Day 12 (Monday)
Transfer to airport for return BA flight to
the UK,
arriving around lunchtime, next day (Tuesday, 3rd August)
local
time.
<>
Cost
The cost of the visit, based on
accommodation only, is estimated to be £1950*.
This
includes return flights (and taxes) by British Airways from London
(Heathrow), coach transfers and local
excursions on the itinerary listed in the tour brochure (not including
any
optional excursions). Accommodation is based on two people sharing a
room. It
should be possible to arrange single accommodation for those who
require it,
but this will involve a supplement. All
those taking part in the tour are expected to arrange their own holiday
insurance, which can be obtained from any travel agent or
insurance
broker.
(* Please refer to booking
conditions listed in brochure and booking form)
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