Olympic National Park: Hurricane Ridge

 Day 39: July 1, 2021 (Happy Birthday, Clarice!)

We head back to Olympic NP and hike the Hurricane Ridge Trail

The out-and-back trail, 1.9 miles long one way and with 700 feet of elevation gain, was a good challenge on the way up and a bit less so on the way back. I’m not sure if it’s being paved was a good thing or not, but lots of folks turned back and headed down before getting to the summit. Thank goodness for hiking sticks!

The views on a clear day would’ve been extraordinary. On a clouded day, we couldn’t see to Victoria, BC or even Port Townsend, but the mountain range was showing off and there were gasp-worthy views with every switchback on the path. And the wild flowers were putting on a show. Gorgeous. We walked up from the ranger station through the cloud layer, and then ascended above it.

I included a few deer photos. Those big eyes….who can resist? Also saw chipmunks, a rabbit, a lazy elk taking a nap, and an Olympian marmot. And black beetles roaming here and there on the pathways.

Taken at the Ranger Station; no hike required for this view. My favorite shot from today!

Avalanche Lily

A field of avalanche lilies 

A golden tiger lily; these were tiny (about 2 inches in diameter at the most!)

Panorama just below the summit—majestic views

Steep-sided mountainsides

Early in the hike down the ridge

Patches of snow remain

This deer greeted us when we parked the truck; such a pretty field of wildflowers!

These last two photos were taken from the truck as we had just left the Ranger Station.

So close to traffic and so calm!

Tomorrow we take a whale watching boat out of Port Townsend. I hope to see a whale —or a bunch of them! Stay tuned!