We enjoyed the Hurricane Hill Trail. Luckily, on the way up, the clouds were still high enough that we could see the mountains. We were not able to get that amazing distance view, but it was a beautiful hike. The top is “windy”. We were glad that we dressed accordingly and had hats for that hurricane force wind. By the time we were hiking down, the clouds really rolled in, so no more mountain tops, but lovely colors and conifers to view.

This is a fairly easy hike with beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains throughout. At the summit, you can see all the way to Vancouver Island, but be ready for some serious wind. Be sure to arrive early; I parked at 7:15 and there were a good number of spots still available.

Olympic NP is amazing with so many different things to do, forest, beaches, lakes and mountains. However, for me, this was my favorite place to visit in Olympic, simply amazing. We hiked here on our last morning of the group trip. We awoke disappointed to thick fog in Port Angeles at our hotel; however, once we got above 150', the sun broke through for the most amazing day in the mountains. We did rise early and were on the road by 6:45 as parking at Hurricane Ridge is limited since the fire. We were able to hike some around the old VC and still get a parking place at HR. However, it filled up soon after we began our hike. The hike here is amazing. As the name implies, you are hiking the bald ridge tops of the mountains above the thick tree line. You will have amazing views in any directions, south into the mountains, west towards Mount Olympus and north across a fog covered Strait of Juan de Fuca towards Canada. We visited in early September, but there was a frost on the ground at the top and the tops around Olympus still had glaciated snow. However, the sun was bright and quickly warmed the mountain tops. We did have a great visit with a couple of deer along the trail early and a grouse on our return. While there were plenty of others around, I don't remember ever feeling crowded. The hike was amazing all the way up and not bad, 3.4 miles roundtrip and 826 vertical feet which were most noticeable as you reach the top above the tree line. Reaching the top provided the most amazing views both of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It was such an incredible experience to see it covered in fog below but still be able to see Vancouver Island and Victoria. It was so incredible that it was my favorite thing we did in Olympic. DON'T MISS.

As a traveler with my family, our visit to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park was truly unforgettable. The panoramic views were breathtaking, offering a stunning backdrop for our family photos. We enjoyed exploring the diverse landscapes, from subalpine meadows to lush forests, on the well-maintained trails suitable for all ages. During the winter, the ridge transformed into a snowy paradise, perfect for skiing and snowboarding, providing endless fun for our adventurous family. In the summer, the wildflower blooms added a colorful touch to the scenery, creating picture-perfect moments.

My family drove up to Hurricane Ridge the first day they opened in 2024 (March 29), and it was a beautiful day! The snow was cleared from the parking lot and they had two temporary trailer buildings setup as restrooms and a ranger info station. Great views of the snow covered trees. We had some clouds roll in that hid the view of the valley below, but after about 30 mins those clouds blew right through. On the drive back down the hill, we saw several deer all along the road.

We drove along this ridge top road in a regular 2-wheel drive sedan. I was skeptical about it as the very first part of the road is a STEEP gradient off the main Mount Angeles road. Thereafter the road frequently runs right along the edge of the drop with no guardrails, so you can't scared of heights. Having said that it you drive with usual care it's quite doable. Go slow as the dirt road is narrow, and on the few occasions we met a car coming in the opposite direction we had to carefully pass each other-again not too hard. Gorgeous views with alpine meadows close at hand and snowcapped mountains in the distance. At least when we went you had to start up the mountain early as they were severely restricting the number of visitors due to fire having badly damaged the facilities at the top of Mount Angeles.

We arrived around 8:30 am on a weekday in May from Port Angeles, was one of the few cars in the parking lot. I didn't find the drive up Hurricane Ridge to be overly concerning or scary. Yes, some parts are steep and there are a few sections with no guardrails, but the roads are wide enough that if you drive at their recommended speed limit, you'll be fine. I'd also recommend visiting on a clear day, as I can imagine the driving situation to be sketchier if there was heavy fog or downpour rain. If you want to make the commitment to drive up (it takes about 40+ mins), I'd recommend taking a peek at the Hurricane Ridge webcam on the NPS website to check weather conditions and your potential view. There's even a webcam for their parking lot so you can anticipate how busy it is. There are restrooms and pleasant walking trails. We visited right before memorial day, some portions of the trail still had snow, and overall it was beautiful. We made a few stops at various viewing points on the way down.

Two FL girls hiking on snow laden paths in May! We did not anticipate the snow covering, but it just added to the adventure (and proved that our hiking shoes are indeed waterproof!). The trails were great, the views were everywhere, as were the deer who seemed to follow us along the mountainside. The temp facilities they have provided are huge and clean. The access to the parking lot where Hurricane Ridge Trail starts was blocked so we could not drive up there.

Because of the fire, we had to walk from parking the length of the roads leading to the paved trail. There were a few benches strewn along the trail for rest spots. The view was spectacular, and we were greeted by two marmots and a deer at the top. We visited early on a Friday morning. Highly recommend starting on the trail early.

A wonderful drive through the Olympic NP, around winding roads lined with very tall pines to reach the top of Hurricane Ridge. Unfortunately our views were ‘fogged out’ so we’re unable to admire the breathtaking spectacle in all its glory. But we enjoyed the drive on Route 1 as it forms part of our PCH road -trip! Unfortunately due to the nature of our very planned itinerary, there’s no going back but if you’re lucky enough to get a clear day, then it’s worth it.