Perfectly positioned between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the high glaciated summits of the interior Olympic Mountains stands Hurricane Hill. Certainly deserving of a more worthy title than "hill", Hurricane Hill offers not only awe-inspiring views of the both the cold waters of the northern Pacific, Vancouver Island, and Mount Olympus, but the trail to the summit also passes through exquisite sub-alpine meadows and forests, replete in summer with blossoming flowers, and frolicking creatures. The trip to the top technically is nothing more than ordinary, yet the surroundings are nothing short of extraordinary.
Stats:
Category: Easy
Miles: 3.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 700'
Location: Olympic National Park
The Trail: This hike, suitable for older children, leaves the trailhead parking, which may get quite crowded in the summer months, and follows the signage towards Hurricane Hill. The path begins on a dusty route alongside verdant grasses and stately firs in the foreground, giving way to views of glorious mountains in the background. Continuing upwards, the trail steepens as it leaves the alpine forest and transitions into an open mountain meadow. Keep a sharp lookout for endemic Olympic marmots gathering their stores of food for the upcoming winter. After about a mile and a half from the trailhead, you will find yourself on the summit of Hurricane Hill, offering its noble views from Puget Sound and Mount Baker in the east to the temperate rainforests of the wide and deep valleys on western slopes of the Olympics. After enjoying your time, return the way you came.
Hiked July 30th, 2016. Clallam County, WA.
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| A welcoming deer at the trailhead parking lot |
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| Trailhead |
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| Mount Angeles |
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| Alpine forests and Mount Olympus |
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| Trail...summit in background |
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| Hurricane Hill |
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| Going up.,, |
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| Elwa River Valley |
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| A shaded section |
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| Transitioning into the meadows |
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| The long westward chain of peaks... |
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| High, glaciated peaks of the Olympic Wilderness |
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| Olympic Marmot |
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| Trail... |
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| Getting closer... |
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| Summit in sight |
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| Mount Angeles and Puget Sound from the summit |
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| Distant Mount Baker in extreme northern Washington State |
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| Summit |
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| View back down |
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| Mount Olympus |
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| Westward views |
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| View into Port Angeles |
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| Brush fire... |
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| Another wildfire in the deep mountains |
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| Heavily glaciered peaks |
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| Benchmark |
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| Another marmot |
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| He is enjoying his view... |
Just passing through. Wonderful blog (I rarely say that). Washington looks incredible! Guess I'll have to get off my butt and get up there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those remarks, I appreciate it. I try to do my very best on maintaining a professional site, so I am glad you enjoyed. Washington state's beauty is remarkable: truly a hiker's paradise.
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