Hike of the Week: Heather Park
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| Olympic endemic, Piper's Bellflower proliferates at Heather Park |
Heather Park
Enjoy splendid flower gardens and supreme maritime views
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
July 20, 2007
Quick Facts
Location: Hurricane Ridge, North Olympic Peninsula
Land Agency: Olympic National Park
Roundtrip: 10.0 miles
Elevation gain: 3,800 feet
Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (360) 565-3100; http://www.nps.gov/olym/
Green Trails Map: Elwha North – Hurricane Ridge No. 134S
Access: From Port Angeles follow Race Street south 1.2 miles to the Hurricane Ridge Road (Heart O the Hills Parkway). Proceed for 5 miles. Just before the Park Entrance Booth, turn right proceeding to large trailhead parking area.
Notes: Dogs prohibited
A rocky wildflower-enriched shoulder of Mount Angeles, that’s what Heather Park is all about. Push a little farther to First Top and you’ll be granted panoramic views of the peninsula from this prominent pinnacle. The only catch to all this wonderment is the climb! It’s a steep one, so eat a fortified breakfast and get an early start.
Sharing the same trailhead with the popular Lake Angeles Trail, make sure you’re on the right path. Well-shaded, the trail steadily climbs-at times steeply. After two miles come to Halfway Rock, a glacial erratic marking the not-quite midway point to Heather Park. Now thankfully, the trail eases a bit, but soon commences into more switchbacks.
Heading higher the trail skirts the northeast slopes of First Top, where teaser views are granted. Soon afterwards though break out into the open and begin steeply snaking around basalt ledges bursting with blossoming wildflowers. At about 4.2 miles enter a small basin tucked between Second and First Top- Heather Park! Push a little farther through this sub-alpine bowl of flower, boulder, heather, and stunted evergreens to wind blasted, sun-baked Heather Pass for an amazing view.
But it’s even better from First Top, a rocky knob just off to your right. Locate a way path and climb 100 feet to this basaltic shoulder of Mount Angeles. Now gaze out into every direction. Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca lie to the north one vertical mile below. To the east follow the Strait to islands flanked by snow-capped peaks. To the West follow the Strait parting the Peninsula from Vancouver Island straight out to the Pacific. And south, it’s Mount Angeles, Hurricane Hill, and the Bailey Range; all under Mount Olympus’s snowy watchful eyes.
If feeling well energized, a loop of 12.5 miles can be made by continuing on rough and somewhat exposed trail to Klahanne Ridge. From there follow the Lake Angeles Trail back to the trailhead. It’s a tough hike, but if you’re up for the challenge, its one of the most scenic in the park.
For information on lodging and other attractions near Heather Park visit
Click here for link to Olympic Pennsula
