Grand Valley Loop

Grand Valley Loop – 9.4mi / 15.2km

From sweeping views of Olympic’s summits to lakes nestled in the bottoms of its wooded valleys, this loop is a delectable sampler platter of the park’s northern mountains. Head left onto the Grand Ridge Trail to do the loop clockwise.

The trail begins in the sublime alpine meadows and wraps beneath Obstruction Peak. Take the faint trail that switchbacks down into the valley trading alpine meadows for the forest and streams. Once at the bottom, the trail crosses a log bridge and begins heading up Grand Valley. Just after crossing the log bridge, follow the social trail towards the sound of a waterfall to a gorgeous bonus cascade of Grand Creek.

You’ll follow up along Grand Creek to Grand Lake. There are many places to stop along its shore to enjoy its beauty and have a snack before continuing up the valley. The trail steeply climbs 200ft/60m to the Grand Valley Trail. Take a left to head up the valley to Moose Lake, another gorgeous lake with stunning ridges backdropping its emerald waters.

Turn around at Moose Lake and continue past the previous junction. The trail steeply switchbacks out of the forest, once again joining the panoramic views of the alpine. A ridge walk brings you views of Mt. Olympus and the neighboring Bailey Range before dropping back down to the trailhead.

(Those with sufficient time and energy may consider climbing the extra 1,300ft/390m to Grand Pass from Moose Lake. The pass is an additional 2.1mi/3.4km each way. Views from the rocky pass look down into the Cameron Creek drainage and spectacular jagged peaks to the east.)

Trailhead: Follow the Hurricane Ridge Road up to the parking area of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. Take a sharp left onto Obstruction Point Road as soon as you enter the parking area and follow the rough road (very steep and winding gravel road not suitable for large vehicles or trailers) for 7.6 miles to the end.

Elevation Gain: 2,500ft / 750m – Elevation Loss: 2,500ft / 750m

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