Hurricane Ridge
4.8(738)google
4.7(106)yelp
HikingOutdoorSkiing
Overview
Easily accessible via a winding, spectacular mountain drive from Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge is the premier, high-altitude alpine gateway into the majestic heart of Olympic National Park. Perched at an elevation of over five thousand feet, the ridge offers visitors jaw-dropping, 360-degree panoramic vistas of jagged, snow-covered mountain peaks and deep glacial canyons. Whether snowshoeing through winter wonderlands or hiking summer paths lined with subalpine firs and friendly Olympic marmots, it provides an unforgettable, easily reached high-altitude mountain experience.
Practical Info
Best TimeThe crown jewel mountain alpine ridge of Olympic National Park. Mid-summer from July to September is the spectacular season for lush subalpine meadows filled with glacier lilies and black-tail deer herds. Arriving from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM at sunrise is transcendental; early dawn light hits the jagged glacial spine of Mount Olympus across the deep blue valleys.
Getting TherePerched atop the extreme high country south of Port Angeles. The drive is a continuous, spectacular engineering marvel: from downtown, turn straight onto Hurricane Ridge Road and navigate the fully paved but steep, sweeping mountain cliff switchbacks upward for 17 miles to the summit loop. Note: Strict daily vehicle capacity limits apply; crossing the park entrance kiosk before 7:30 AM is heavily advised.
Travel Tips
- Since the Day Lodge was destroyed by fire, there are no indoor dining facilities or running water available on the ridge; you must bring your own rations, hydration, and prepare for portable toilets.
- The mountain tollgate enforces a strict 'one-in, one-out' limit once the summit lot fills up, usually by 10 AM in summer; secure your entry by passing the tollgate before 8 AM to bypass lines.
- Winter access strictly mandates that all vehicles, including 4WD/AWD models, carry fitted snow chains inside the vehicle; state rangers inspect all cars and turn back those without chains.
Reviews
Positive
- Standing atop the Olympic National Park peak offers a 360-degree sweep of jagged glacial mountain ridges—100% genuine visual grandeur that is majestic to the extreme.
- Covered by the standard National Park Pass, a single vehicle ticket lasts seven days with great value, granting easy access to alpine meadow and snow hikes.
- The high-altitude flat accessible wooden overlooks are wide and perfect, allowing strollers and wheelchairs to reach core viewpoints safely with thorough signs.
- It beautifully preserves high-alpine pristine wilderness tranquility, where wild black-tailed deer lounge beside you to graze, showing immense ecological value.
Heads up
- (Note: Because the main hilltop visitor center was completely destroyed in a major fire, current reconstruction leaves the site lacking indoor heating and large, high-spec restrooms.)
- Driving accessibility is tough, requiring a near-hour climb from Port Angeles along winding, steep mountain roads; driving in thick fog is highly dangerous.
- Summer sunny peak crowd density explodes; the valley gate implements strict vehicle caps, forcing cars to wait in line for one to two hours before mountain entry.
- The wilderness weather is volatile and swept by heavy gales; without a visitor center building, it gets freezing even in summer, lacking any hot food outlets.