Olympic National Park and the surrounding Olympic National National Forest are large enough to be split into different visitation areas. We chose to concentrate on a few to get an introduction to this unique area of the country.
Hurricane Ridge
- Obstruction Point Trailhead’s Deer Park Trail (difficult) – This is one of my favorite hikes in the entire US. The views are second to none, and this is coming from a jaded resident of Colorado. The official hike is listed at 7.6 miles each way, but you only need to hike 2-3 miles in to get the full views of Mount Olympus and the scary experiences of the entire trail. Please note this hike is not for those with a fear of heights. In places the hike is on a narrow, exposed ridge with quite an impressive drop-off. I never felt unsafe, but take it easy as the footing is unstable.
Deer Park Trail leaving Obstruction Point parking lot
Mike hiking along the Deer Park Trail
Panoramic views abound along the Deer Park Trail
Mt. Olympus shrouded in haze from forest fire smoke
- Hurricane Hill (easy) – A far more mellow hike that is still replete with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. At 3 miles round trip with modest elevation gain this is a trail for the whole family. Foot traffic is busy in the summer.
Hoh Rainforest
- Hoh River Trail (easy) – A magical hike though a temperate rainforest. Let your inner child’s imagination run wild on this easy hike through a verdant and lush rain forest. Just ignore all the other hikers, make them ogres in your mind.
The Hoh temperate Rainforest
Karla in the Hoh Rainforest
Views abound on the Hoh River Trail
Hood Canal
- Gray Wolf Trail (moderate) – Located on the flanks of the mountains you hiked at Hurricane Ridge, this forested hike is strikingly different from the Hoh River Trail. The hardwoods and conifers loom tall and tower over us as sentinels of all woodland beasts below. This 5 mile round trip hike parallels the rushing Gray Wolf River for a good spell, providing cool water to soak tired feet on a hot summer’s day.
The Gray Wolf River flows along its namesake trail
Lion’s mane fungus spotted along Gray Wolf Trail
Northern Coast
- Dungeness Spit Trail (easy) – This trail explores a 5 mile protrusion into the Strait of Juan de Fuca knows as the Dungeness Spit. It’s beach walking as its finest, and those willing to explore (or just find amusement in) the detritus that washes up will enjoy this hike. The entire trail would be 10 miles round trip, but even just a 30 minute stroll will give you the gist of the area.
Driftwood found on the Dungeness Spit
Sea bounty
