Hurricane Ridge

— At an elevation of 5,242 feet (1,598 m), Hurricane Ridge is one of the most breathtaking views one can have at Olympic NP. You literally go through the clouds to reach the top point of the trail and enjoy spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains in the horizon. The trail is paved and has several picnic areas along the way. Hurricane hill trail runs approximately 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long (one-way) and is fairly moderate in spite of its 700 ft (200 m) elevation gain. It is not uncommon to pass through snowy areas even in the middle of the summer, as when I made this shot. Wildlife, such as marmots and deer, are also around and seem to be used to humans. The name for the area comes from the fact that winds there can be very strong. When you reach the top, bent trees will show you just how strong winds can be.