Hurricane Hill (Olympic National Park) [Hike 25/52]

Distance: 3.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 650 ft.
Pass: National Parks Pass
Hiked 7.1.18

Kelli came to visit, which was a perfect excuse to get out to the Olympic peninsula and do some hiking. We woke up too early, drove for a few hours, did 2 hikes (#25 and #26—halfway!!), visited the most NW point in the contiguous US, and took the ferry home (but not until after my car battery died). It was a hell of a day, but so worth every moment!

Hurricane Hill is one of my all-time favorite hikes I’ve done in Washington so far. We did it back when we visited in May 2016, and the views are still as epic as the first time. The Olympics are a rare treat for hiking because of the distance, but they are always worth it.

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The hike sounds pretty easy, but it’s a decent amount of gain in a short distance, so my recommendation is to take your time and enjoy the views on the way up.

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Driving Directions

From Port Angeles, turn off Highway 101 onto Race Street. Continue on Race Street for 1.2 miles to Hurricane Ridge Road. A large structure to your right is the Olympic National Park Visitors Center and Wilderness Information Center. 

Stop here to grab a map and a park pass, if you need one, then continue up the Hurricane Ridge Road for 18 miles to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center. Pass the Visitors Center and drive one and a half miles down the road to the trailhead parking area. While there are no facilities at the trailhead, there is a bathroom about a half mile before the trailhead and water is available at the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center.

For more information, visit WTA’s trail guide here.