Hike of the Week: Hurricane Hill

Winter on Hurricane Hill means breathtaking scenery sans tourists

Hurricane Hill

Don snowshoes and storm this summit






by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

March 3, 2006

Quick Facts
Location: Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Land Agency: National Park Service
Roundtrip: 6.0 miles
Elevation gain: 950 feet
Access: From Port Angeles follow Race Street south to the Hurricane Ridge Road (Heart O the Hills Parkway). Proceed on the Hurricane Ridge Road for 17.5 miles to Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center and trailhead parking.
Green Trails Map: Elwha North Hurricane Ridge, No 134S
Special Note: Dogs are prohibited. National Park Entry Fee Required. From Dec until March 26th, the Hurricane Hill road is open Thursday to Sunday, and is subject to closures due to adverse weather conditions. Call (360) 565-3131 for updated recorded information.


During the lazy summer months, Hurricane Hill introduces sandal wearing walkers and air-gasping tourists to the interior beauty of Olympic National Park. During those warm and busy months, the gentle paved path to the 5,757-foot peak on Hurricane Ridge can be downright crowded with people. But come winter, when the emerald high-country is shrouded in white, Hurricane Hill takes on a whole new persona.
When blanketed in snow, the normally easy 1.5 mile hike is transcended into a 3 mile snowshoe route that at times can be somewhat challenging. Hurricane Hill is subject to blinding snowstorms and howling frostbite-inducing winds. Snow along the ridge forms cornices and the steep slopes are subject to avalanches. But when conditions are optimal-stable snow and stable weather conditions-the trek to Hurricane Ridge is incredibly rewarding.
Enjoy a winter wonderland landscape that stretches from Mount Baker in the Cascades to Mount Garibaldi in the BC Coast Range to Vancouver Island Highlands, Puget Sound Lowlands and just about every Olympic Mountain Peak on the Peninsula.
Venture out on the broad western shoulder of Hurricane Hill for breathtaking views of the emerald Elwha Valley. Bring your telemark skis to carve up the peak’s southeastern bowl. Enjoy this beautiful corner of Olympic National Park now, before the glacier lilies work their way through the frozen landscape. For by that time, bus loads of cargo-pants white-sock wearing, camera clanging, bottled-water schlepping tourists will be storming the hill again in full force!