Windfall of Beauty Atop Hurricane Ridge

Mile-high Hurricane Ridge, perched on the northern edge of the Olympic Mountains in western Washington, offers postcard panoramas of Olympic National Park, as well as the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island.

Road access to the national park from the north side is limited to just two roads, one of which--Hurricane Ridge Road--is a scenic gem. The wide road begins at Port Angeles and winds around Mt. Angeles.

In the late 1950’s, park administrators had the foresight to close the last mile and a half of the road to auto traffic and convert it to a footpath, making an easy and inspiring hike.

Another hike for the heartier, an 8 1/2-mile round-trip ascent of the 6,454-foot Mt. Angeles, begins from a trail head at the Hurricane Ridge parking area.

The first stop for park visitors and prospective Hurricane Ridge hikers should be Pioneer Memorial Museum, Olympic National Park’s main interpretive center. The museum is located on Hurricane Ridge Road on the outskirt of Port Angeles. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and is free.

Directions to trail head: From U.S. 101 in Port Angeles, drive 17 miles up Hurricane Ridge Road to the road’s end at the Hurricane Ridge parking area.

The hike: The signed Hurricane Hill Trail ascends through meadowland and occasional clusters of subalpine fir. You’ll spot some delightful picnic spots near the top of the 5,640-foot hill.

On top, unfold your park map and look for Mt. Constance and Mt Anderson far to the southeast, as well as other mighty snow-capped Olympic peaks. Just down below, 10 miles to the north, is Port Angeles; 20 miles farther, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, is Victoria, British Columbia. In the blue distance are the San Juan Islands.

Hurricane Hill Trail

WHERE: Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park.

DISTANCE: 3 miles round trip with 800-foot elevation gain; longer hikes possible.

TERRAIN: North slope of Olympic Mountains.

HIGHLIGHTS: Alpine wildflowers, grand views of Olympic Range.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy-moderate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Superintendent, Olympic National Park, 600 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles, Wash., 98362; tel.(206) 452-0330.