FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When is the best time to visit Seattle?
Late spring through early fall in Seattle is the busiest and most visited time of the year. Consequently, this is the time of year when reservations are absolutely necessary as hotels, restaurants, beaches, hiking trails, and tours fill up very fast. Although Seattle’s rainy weather (outside of the summer) is notorious, the city and its surroundings do offer year-round activities and entertainment – both indoors and outdoors. From late fall through early spring hotel rooms are a real bargain, and when you leave the city and head out to Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, or out to the San Juan Islands – you will find bliss amongst the quiet trails and vacant rugged coastlines. All you need is a rain jacket and you are ready to enjoy the outdoors year round in Seattle!

For those days you aren’t outside exploring the mountains and the sea, Seattle has dozens of theaters, unique bookstores, museums, excellent restaurants, and movie theaters for you to explore. Keep in mind some of the most incredible scenery is visible in the mountains (Mt. Rainier, Mt. St Helens, Olympic Peninsula) during the winter months.

EverGreen Escapes operates year round in order to take advantage of the varied activities available in the incredible Pacific Northwest in each of the four seasons.

2. What should we wear/bring on our escape?
On all of our tours (aside from Winery Tour or Brewery Tour) please wear closed toe comfortable walking shoes or hiking shoes (or boots). Keep in mind that bringing extra warm layers is never a problem as they will be safely stored in our vehicles if you decide you do not need them. We also recommend non-cotton layers (try to stay away from jeans) on all active and outdoor tours. A rain jacket is necessary (just in case) almost year round. Generally speaking, Seattle has a mild climate but the temperatures can change quickly if you are near the coast or in the mountains.

• Summer in the Mountains- in the peak summer months it is typically pleasantly warm up in the mountains (in the upper 50’s to lower 70’s). The weather can change very quickly due to the high elevation and especially if it is windy – so we advise that you pack layers. You may be warm one day in a pair of shorts and t-shirt hiking on Mt. Rainier – but you may also be quite chilly the very next day in the same spot. The weather can change very rapidly at high elevations and is unpredictable so no matter how sunny and warm it may be we always advise that you bring warm layers.
  
  
• Summer on the Coast – the weather at this time of year is typically beautiful on the coasts of Washington State. It will occasionally rain, but for the most part the sun is shining daily and the only concern is the wind chill. However, please always be prepared for rainy weather (bring a rain jacket) and for cool winds (warm sweater or fleece).
  
  
• Fall/Spring in the Mountains – during this time the weather is relatively cold in the mountains (dress in layers, preferably non-cotton, and please no jeans). There will be some snow on the ground at high elevations so please be prepared. In the late fall and early spring the weather can be very cold in the case that an early winter has started or we are having an unusually long winter.
  
  
• Fall/Spring on the Coast – rain is common in the fall and spring in the Pacific Northwest so please always bring a rain jacket and wear appropriate shoes and non-cotton socks. The coastline is windy during this time of year so warm layers (fleece or sweater) are necessary underneath your waterproof gear.
  
  
• Winter in the Mountains – the weather can be very cold and there is a lot of snowfall. Please dress in warm, non-cotton layers and bring waterproof gear (preferably pants and jacket). If you have hiking boots/snow boots please bring these with you when snowshoeing (Mt. Rainier, Olympic Peninsula, Snoqualmie). Warm socks, hat, and gloves are also necessary.
  
  
• Winter on the Coast – it is cold and windy and often times rainy at this time of the year. Please wear non-cotton layers, waterproof jacket, and sturdy shoes that will not easily become wet.

3. What kind of food will be provided?
Half Day – On morning tours, we provide morning pastries with tea and seasonal fruit, juices and water. On afternoon tours we provide afternoon snacks and refreshments (such as energy bars, cookies, crackers, juices, tea).

Full Day – Along the way we typically will serve morning pastries and tea. At lunchtime we provide a full meal with local wines. Additionally, we will also serve afternoon snacks and refreshments.

***Please advise us if you have any food restrictions or requests, we can accommodate vegetarian diets, lactose intolerant diets, and often times can also accommodate gluten free diets when given enough notice.

4. How strenuous is the physical activity on the escapes?
All of our scheduled departures are meant for beginners (easy to moderate). We try to cater our tours to all ability and interest levels – and this really depends on the group that day. Your Escape artist will choose the difficulty of the physical activity based on the group's interest and ability level. If you are interested in a different level, we can certainly put together a private itinerary specifically for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding specific questions!

5. What do you do if it is raining?
Our guides are great at choosing the perfect spots to experience the best views and hikes to accommodate weather conditions. We run our tours rain or shine because the Pacific Northwest is stunning regardless of what the weather may be. We are confident that you will agree with us once you experience it for yourself!

**In the case of stormy/inaccessible conditions: Of course we would love to get you out on another date or on another tour, but if this does not work we may have to cancel or reschedule a tour. We will refund all tours that are canceled by us.

6. Can we cancel or change our booking?
This depends on your specific situation and how far in advance you would like to make your changes. Please review our Terms & Conditions for specific details and before making a booking.

7. What type of vehicle will we be in?
This depends on the tour you are on and the group size you are in. We have an SUV for small groups, a bio-fueled luxury Mercedes crossover for small/medium groups and private escapes, and a fleet of bio-fuled adventure outfitted luxury 10 or 12 passenger Mercedes Vans for our daily departing tours.
You can view our vehicles here.

8. Who are the guides?
Read about our escape arists here.

9. How many people are in a typical group?
Summer – average group size is 5-7people.
Winter - average group size is 2-5 people.

Sometimes there will be 2 people on the tour and other times we will have a full group of 10 adults! The group size depends on the specific tour, the day of the week and whether it is a holiday weekend.

10. Do I need to bring rain gear?
Always, better safe than sorry!

11. Do you offer Travel Insurance?
Yes we do. Please keep in mind Travel Insurance must be purchased within 24 hours of trip purchase. Read about travel insurance options here.

12. What is your cancellation policy?
Please view our Terms & Conditions here.

13. Which hotels do you pick up at?
All Downtown Seattle Hotels – if you feel like your hotel may be on the outskirts of downtown or not sure where it is – feel free to give us a call and we will let you know! If you are outside of our pick up area, we may be able to arrange a pick up for you at an additional cost.

14. Do you need any special skills or bring any special gear?
EverGreen Escapes offers small group departures that are all inclusiv; everything that you need is included (outside of your clothing). All of the equipment and appropriate instruction is provided by your Escape Artist.

15. Do we have to sign a waiver of liability for the tours?
We only require you to sign a waiver of liability for tours that offer inherently dangerous activities (such as rock climbing). Please inquire if you have a question regarding a specific tour.

16. Are you an Escapist?
We take people of all age groups and abilities on our tours. Some tours are more strenuous than others so if you have any concerns please call us and we would be happy to answer your questions!

17. Do you offer private tours? Multi-day Tours?
Yes! We can customize the perfect escape for you - whether it is a half day, full day, weekend getaway or a two week vacation. We specialize in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Please view our Private Adventure page here.