Olympic Peninsula: Hurricane Ridge

By Laci in Hiking Trails, State and National Parks, Travel Tales, Washington on
2 comments

Our first morning we decided to drive up to Hurricane Ridge. From research we knew that the visitor center at the top was closed for the season but the one at the bottom, in Port Angeles, was open, with proper social distancing. There are a few visitor centers but due to Covid and the lateness of the year this was the only one open. The Hoh Rainforest building was also closed.

I loved this sign and referenced this picture often throughout the trip.

Hurricane Ridge road is a popular drive and reminds me a bit of Trail Ridge Road. There are a number of trailheads, both short and easy along with longer and more difficult, at the top.

Tips:

  • You do have to pay to enter the Hurricane Ridge road portion of Olympic National Park.
    • If you are going to be there more than a couple of day buy a National Park Pass (good for a year) or a week pass for just Olympia NP. This park pass will also get you into the Hoh Rainforest.
  • Do your research and make sure you know what is open: visitor centers, trails, beaches.
  • Bring snacks and water! Most of Olympic National Park if very remote make sure to bring food and plenty of water.
  • If you are going hiking, make sure to tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back.
Look up high in the mountains of the Olympic range for magnificent glaciers.

We hiked a portion of the trail to Mount Angeles. The trail was fairly narrow and not too bust but there were other hikers. From a couple of vantage points at the top of Hurricane Ridge we could see across the straight to Vancouver Island and past Puget Sound to the North Cascades. The sights are just breath taking. We loved visiting Hurricane Ridge and would love to go back to hike more of the trails we just didn’t have time. We started hiking too late in the day to summit but we still really enjoyed the trails.

Hurricane Ridge was the only place we saw snow within Olympic National Park. It was mostly on the shaded side of the mountains The trails were slick and muddy with melted snow and snow that melted and refrozen into muddy ice. Thank goodness for good boots and trekking poles.

Have you hiked Hurricane Ridge? If so, what did you think? Safe Travels!

Thank you KW Photography for allowing me to use your wonderful photos!

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Published by Laci

Texas born, I grew up hunting and fishing. Now I love travel and cooking, a good beer and a great story. People are their stories and I hope to share mine. I have a ridiculously adorable canine companion named Bear, a supportive family, and a wonderful husband.

2 comments on “Olympic Peninsula: Hurricane Ridge”

  1. Pingback: Olympic Peninsula: Hurricane Ridge — McGee Travel Tales | Ups Downs Family History
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