Regarded as a park where glacier-tipped mountains come into contact with a rocky coastline, Olympic National Park is home to everlasting possibilities for recreation, sightseeing, study, and relaxation.
The park is located in northwest Washington State and is famous for the diversity of its ecosystems. Glacier-covered peaks interspersed with alpine meadows are surrounded by an extensive area of ancient forests. Eleven major river systems traverse the Olympic Mountains and offer some of the country’s best habitats for anadromous fish species. The park also includes 62 miles (100 km) of desert shoreline, the longest undeveloped shoreline in the contiguous United States that is rich in native and endemic species of animals and plants, including critical populations of the endangered northern spotted owl and bull trout among others.
On June 29, 1938, the area was declared a national park. Olympic National Park has a spectacular coastline, picturesque lakes, majestic mountains and glaciers, and a magnificent temperate rainforest. It is known to have the lowest latitude in the world where glaciers form at relatively low elevation. Its relative isolation and varied amounts of precipitation have created complex and varied life zones. The biological evolution, ecological variety, and great splendor of Olympic National Park make it a special place. UNESCO included it in its list of World Heritage Sites in 1981.
The Olympic National Park located in Washington State is divided into three basic regions: Pacific coastline, the Olympic Mountains, and the temperate rainforest. The Olympic coastline is 73 miles (117 km) long and a few miles wide.
The park is open and available to the public twenty-four hours a day year-round. The best months to visit are between June and September. However, roads and other facilities are closed from October through May and are opened again during the busy summer season. Check the current condition of roads for easy access. The majority of the park is covered by roadless wilderness, walking the hiking trails in the park is the only option to explore the rugged beauty within.
Hurricane Hill is a reasonably short out-and-back trail situated near Port Angeles, Washington. It contains a river and is considered a moderate hike trail. This trail is my pick for the best hiking experience in Olympic National Park and is best accessed between July and October.
Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge is a short but steep hike that consists of stunning panoramas across Olympic National Park. The trail starts after a short segment of the Pacific Northwest Trail across alpine meadows and ridges.
Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge is one of the most visited paths in Olympic National Park. It is best to arrive early to avoid congestion, especially on summer weekends. The trail starts from a tree line on a paved path lined by white pine trees. Adjacent meadows provide a diverse collection of wildflowers and attract deer, goats, and the occasional bear. The views across the Olympic Mountains are breathtaking and improve with each step. The trailhead is situated one mile after the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, named for its susceptibility to hurricane-force winds.
Bring a windbreaker, as the area gets windy sometimes! Grab a map at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center before hitting the trail for the best experience.
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