Hurricane Ridge - spectacular Olympic Mountains

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Distance from Seattle: 
79.6 mi
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Hurricane Ridge

Spectacular Hurricane Ridge is a “must-see” destination when visiting the Olympic National Park in Washington State, and is located 17-miles from Port Angeles. To get there from Seattle, take the Bainbridge Island Ferry, then drive 2 hours to Port Angeles.

Hurricane Ridge provides the only vehicle access to the remote high country of the Olympic National Park, and has an elevation of 4,242 feet.  There are superb views across the rooftop of the mountains, including 6,900 foot Mt Olympus, the highest peak in the ranges.

Directions to Hurricane Ridge

Consider first stopping at the National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles for further information [3002 Mount Angeles Road].   This is visible just before the park entrance. It then takes 25-minutes to complete the drive up to Hurricane Ridge, and there are some fabulous photo opportunities and pull-outs along the way.  These include sweeping vistas of the lowlands such as Port Angeles, the Dungeness Spit, San Juan Islands and Victoria BC. 

Best time to visit Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is blanketed in snow for most of the year, and all vehicles are required to carry snow chains during winter and early spring.  Always check current conditions and road closures before leaving.  Summer comes very late, and the best opportunity to view the stunning alpine meadows is from July to September.  

Things to do at Hurricane Ridge

Your first stop at Hurricane Ridge WA should be the Visitor Center for a 20-minute educational video explaining the origins of the Olympic Mountains.  A vast sea of ice once surrounded the Olympics during the last ice age, isolating it from the outside world.  As a result, there are species and plants found in the Olympic National Park that exist nowhere else in the world.

Winter:

  • Go downhill skiing and snowboarding:  There are 2 rope tows and a poma.  Lessons and rentals are available.  Check the Winter Sports Club for opening times during winter (weekends only).
  • Take a ranger guided show shoe walk:  Register at the Visitor Center for a 90-minute guided show shoe walk, or call 360 565 3156.  Snow shoe rental is available.
  • Take your kids sledding or tubing:  There is a sledding or tubing area for kids under 8 near the Visitor Center.

Summer:

  • Go hiking:  Review this list of Hurricane Ridge hiking trails, or stop at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center for more information [3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, 360 565 3130].  Weather and conditions can change dramatically, so always stop by the Visitor Center for information before planning a hike.  Back country permits can also be purchased there.

Places to stay in Port Angeles

There is ample accommodation down in Port Angeles.   It’s also recommended you stay at the popular historic town of Port Townsend, 1-hour east of Port Angeles.

Things to do near Hurricane Ridge

 

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Hurricane Ridge provides the
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2011-05-15 18:51.
4

Hurricane Ridge provides the best views of the Olympic Mountains, and the free film at the Visitor Center was great. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you want to go hiking, the trails are snowed over for most of the year.

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  • Hurricane Ridge provides the
    Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2011-05-15 18:51.
    4

    Hurricane Ridge provides the best views of the Olympic Mountains, and the free film at the Visitor Center was great. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you want to go hiking, the trails are snowed over for most of the year.