Washington · December 2016
Hike Summary
Distance:
6 miles out and back
Total Elevation Gain:
800 ft
Starting Elevation:
5,242 ft
Highest Point:
5,757 ft
Hike Time:
4 - 5 hrs
Difficulty:
Moderate
Snowshoe Season:
December - March
Dogs Allowed:
Not Allowed
Pass Required:
Hurricane Ridge is easily one of my favorite places on the Olympic Peninsula.
This winter, I planned a last-minute day trip to Hurricane Ridge from Seattle when I found out the weather would be clear.
Although I had hiked here a couple of times in the summer months, I had never snowshoed here before.
The amazing views on either side of the ridge were familiar, but the snow-cover made this place feel completely new to me.
During the winter months, the road leading up to Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center has limited accessibility.
Vehicles may be required to carry snow chains during this period.
Uphill traffic from the Heart O' the Hills entrance station opens at 9:00 a.m., and all vehicles must exit by 5:00 p.m.
For road conditions and more information, check the National Park Service Hurricane Ridge page.
The trail starts just past the visitor center and follows a relatively flat service road into the forest.
After a mile and a half, you will enter a clearing with more expansive views south across the valley.
Be aware of avalanche risk past this point, where you will be crossing a pair of avalanche chutes.
It may be safer to hike some switchbacks toward the higher part of the first ridge instead of cutting a straight line toward Hurricane Hill.
Once you gain some elevation along the ridge, you can look north across the Strait of Juan de Fuca or take in southern views across the valley and deep into the Olympic Mountains.
On the way back to the visitor center, clouds started accumulating and made visibility in the valley more difficult.
This reminded me how quickly the weather can change in the mountains.
Directions
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is located 17 miles from Port Angeles, Washington, at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road.
During the winter months, there are limited hours for the entrance station.
Be sure to check the road conditions before planning a trip here.
1
Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center: 47.969351, -123.498460
2
Hurricane Hill: 47.989983, -123.529038
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