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Hurricane Ridge to Klahhane Ridge
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(This throwback Thursday blog features the incredible hike from Hurricane Ridge to Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park that I hiked in 2018 while working on my Day Hikes of Olympic National Park Map Guide.)
Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park is the easiest way to get to the alpine. The walk from the parking lot at the end of the road to Klahhane Ridge is a walk filled with epic views of the park, flower meadows, gnarled cliffs, subalpine forests, and did I mention epic views?
I first hiked Hurricane Ridge to Klahhane Ridge in the middle of July with low hanging clouds and fog shrouding the mountains as you’d expect from coastal Washington. Although summer in the lower elevations, the area was just melting out, so patches of snow clogged some of the walkways and filled up cirques, while spring flowers were blooming throughout the meadows.
The views of the incredible mountains and out to the Straits were few and far between, robbing me of the full experience. Fast forward to September when I went up again to hike the Switchback Trail to Klahhane Ridge. I re-hiked Hurricane Ridge and was rewarded with sprawling views in all directions.
Starting from the Visitor Center (which burned down in May of 2023), I walked around the network of trails that pass through meadows and stands of subalpine fir. Views include looking out to Mt. Olympus (when the clouds allow) and to valleys to the north and out to the salt water.
A steep trail took me past the pulleys and chalet used for winter recreation, up to Sunrise Point with sprawling views. For those looking for a short hike, this fits the bill. I returned to the trail junction and followed the trail northeast as it skirted below Sunrise Point and followed along the ridge. Below, cars could be heard driving up and down the road. On the trail, one could pause and enjoy the scenery.
In the spring, meadows are green with fresh vegetation, and wildflowers such as lupine and larkspur carpet the landscape. Sparrows and warblers flit from tree to tree snatching bugs while hawks and falcons are frequently seen flying overhead. I continued along the ridge, going up and down various points, with ever-changing views. Hurricane Hill to the west was visible as were the glaciers on Mt. Carrie and the Bailey Range behind it.
Approximately halfway between where I’d parked and the base of Mt. Angeles, the trail came to another prominent point. This is another great turnaround point as well. From here the trail switchbacks steeply down before traversing beneath Mt. Angeles. Seeing this great mountain ahead, beckoned me on.
In July, the White Avalanche Lilies were stunning, creating a lovely white and yellow carpet as I switchbacked down, reminding me of the Glacier Lilies I see in Glacier. The flowers faded as summer came and went and all was golden grass in September, but I couldn’t get enough of the views. Serves as a reminder that each season has delights of its own and the same place is never really the same.
At the bottom of the switchbacks, the trail cruised over to the base of Mt. Angeles. At the junction with the climber’s trail, I stayed right and followed the trail down as it skirted below gnarled, red cliffs of Mt. Angeles. A dried up creek bed showed the lovely rock formations of red and rock, gnarled by millennia of forces and upheaval.
Just after the creek bed, I arrived at the Switchback Trail where I turned up and started climbing. One mile and another 900ft vertical or so and I arrived at Klahhane Ridge. Along the way, I passed through more meadows and stands of firs. The views kept getting better and better which was my reward for the effort. At the ridge, I could look back down at what felt like the entirety of Olympic National Park. To the northwest, the great rock layers of Mt. Angeles were stacked at an angle. I looked down into the great cirque below. The snow that filled it in July had long since melted.
I wandered along the ridge and found a place to eat, enjoying views all around. A flock of Common Ravens appeared over Mt. Olympus while a pair of Red-trailed Hawks harassed each other. I got up, packed up and started working back down the Switchback Trail, once again, taking in the wonderful views.
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