The hike from Hurricane Ridge to Mount Angeles is a spectacular day hike in Olympic Nationwide Park. Alongside the Klahhane Ridge Path you could have panoramic views over this aspect of Olympic Nationwide Park. To rise up onto Mount Angeles, it’s a troublesome hike that ends with some difficult rock scrambling, however you might be rewarded on your efforts. On a transparent day, you get 360° views from the height of Mount Angeles (the best peak within the Hurricane Ridge space) so getting right here is effectively definitely worth the effort.
On this submit, learn to hike to Mount Angeles. In case you are searching for one thing shorter or much less difficult, you solely have to hike a portion of this path to nonetheless get some really superb views of Olympic Nationwide Park.
Right here’s find out how to do it.
Information In regards to the Hike
Distance: 6.25 miles round-trip (this contains the brief spur path to Dawn Level)
Complete Ascent: 2,550 ft (75% of this elevation achieve is on the hike from Hurricane Ridge Customer Middle to the height of Mount Angeles, the opposite 25% comes on the return hike)
Beginning Elevation (Hurricane Ridge): 5,250 ft
Highest Elevation (Mount Angeles): 6,450 ft
Problem: Many of the hike is simple to average; the ultimate hike and rock scramble as much as the height is tough
Size of time: 4 to six hours
When to go: One of the best time to hike to Mount Angeles is throughout the summer time season when the path is freed from snow. Throughout the winter season, the highway to Hurricane Ridge is barely open on weekends and might shut at anytime resulting from snowfall. Be taught extra on the NPS web site.
Elevation profile
Please apply the seven ideas of Depart No Hint: plan forward, keep on the path, pack out what you convey to the mountain climbing path, correctly get rid of waste, go away areas as you discovered them, reduce campfire impacts, be thoughtful of different hikers, and don’t method or feed wildlife.
Mountain climbing the Klahhane Ridge Path to Mount Angeles
Attending to the Trailhead
The path begins subsequent to the parking zone for the Hurricane Ridge Customer Middle.
To get right here, drive Hurricane Ridge Highway to the very finish. The parking zone for the customer middle is big. Nevertheless, the path begins on the japanese finish of the parking zone, so there isn’t any have to drive to the top of the lot (until there’s restricted parking if you arrive).
Hurricane Ridge Customer Middle and parking zone seen from Dawn Level Path.
Search for the paved path labeled with the signal for the Excessive Ridge Path. That is the place your hike begins.
Excessive Ridge Path
Excessive Ridge Nature Path to Dawn Level
The Excessive Ridge Nature Path begins off as a paved path. It climbs up onto a ridge and good overlook. It then turns into a mud path that may be relatively dusty if it has not rained lately.
The view alongside the path of Dawn Level and Mount Angeles.
One other view of Mount Angeles and Hurricane Ridge Highway
After strolling throughout the ridge, you could have the choice to hike the spur path to Dawn Level. This detour provides 0.2 miles onto the hike. The view from Dawn Level is sweet however truthfully, I don’t suppose you lose a lot by skipping it. Right here is the view that can assist you resolve.
View from Dawn Level
Mountain climbing to Mount Angeles
Proceed previous the spur path to Dawn Level. The path goes by two completely different names, based mostly on path maps I’ve seen and on-line stories: the Dawn Level Path and the Klahhane Ridge Path.
Alongside this path, you could have nice views of Puget Sound and the snowcapped mountains of Olympic Park. You get some nice views from this a part of the path, though it doesn’t even come near what you’re going to get from the height of Mount Angeles.
The path alternates between uncovered ridgeline and dense forests with wildflowers.
Trying again alongside the path in the direction of the Hurricane Ridge Customer Middle.
View of Mount Angeles from the path. The white line marks the brief, simple path to the overlook. The path to Mount Angeles is the pink line.
Optionally available Flip-Round Level: In the event you don’t need to hike the entire technique to Mount Angeles, I like to recommend mountain climbing to the perspective alongside Dawn Level Path. Proper earlier than you get to the massive descent, there’s a very brief spur path that takes you to a pleasant overlook. From right here, you’ll be able to see Mount Angeles and you’ve got a terrific view alongside Dawn Ridge. For individuals who don’t need to do a giant, strenuous day hike, this makes a terrific turn-around level. On our map of the path, I labeled this spot as “overlook.” In the event you simply hike to this overlook, you’ll hike 3 miles spherical journey with 800 ft of whole ascent.
After a giant descent adopted by a smaller climb, you’ll come to a fork within the path. Take the path to the left to proceed to Mount Angeles. After we did this (July 2020), the path to the left is just not marked by any signal. The one path marker right here is an indication labeled “TRAIL,” which marks the Klahhane Ridge Path.
Mountain climbing/Scrambling up Mount Angeles
When you get to the fork within the path, the hike will get radically tougher. It’s a fixed uphill hike, largely by means of a forest, though you’re going to get some occasional views out over Olympic Nationwide Park. This a part of the path isn’t too dangerous by way of problem, however that may change.
When you emerge from the timber, Mount Angeles will likely be in entrance of you. At this level, the path will get steeper and will be arduous to comply with in spots. There aren’t any path indicators at this level and little or no by way of rock cairns to maintain you shifting within the appropriate course. Principally, it’s a must to comply with the worn path of those that have hiked right here earlier than you, however the path will be simple to lose in some spots.
After mountain climbing up steep grime trails and over scree slopes, you could have one remaining climb earlier than you. There’s a fork within the path. In the event you take the path to the left, it’s just a little bit longer, however it is usually much less steep with just a bit little bit of rock scrambling on the very finish. In case you are not assured in your rock scrambling abilities, we advocate going left on the fork.
The path to the suitable is a shorter however steeper climb to the summit with some technical rock scrambling. That is the route we took and listed here are our pictures.
The final scramble onto the height is probably the most difficult. Another hikers circled with out trying this half. If you are able to do it, it’s value it to get to the highest, because you get to see these panoramic views you labored so arduous for. Nevertheless, for those who get thus far and don’t suppose you’ll be able to handle the rock scramble, I like to recommend retracing your steps to the fork and going up the left aspect.
As soon as standing safely on high of Mount Angeles, benefit from the spectacular view. On a transparent day, you’ll be able to see Puget Sound, Vancouver Island, the mountains of Olympic Nationwide Park, and Mt. Rainier.
To get down off of Mount Angeles, we hiked down the left aspect of the height, and it’s a lot simpler than the difficult rock scramble.
To get again to your automobile, retrace your steps.
Tricks to Have the Greatest Expertise
With a purpose to stand on high of Mount Angeles, you’ll have to do some rock scrambling. The rock scrambling on this hike is difficult and you probably have by no means achieved any rock scrambling earlier than, it is best to think about skipping this hike. The scrambling is difficult in spots with steep drop-offs, so you have to be assured in your skill earlier than trying this climb.
This hike is greatest achieved on a transparent day. If it’s cloudy, you received’t get to see the superb views that you simply labored so arduous for. Examine the climate forecast earlier than you go and if you may be in Olympic Nationwide Park for a number of days, think about mountain climbing this path on the clearest climate day.
Depart no hint. When you’re within the park, apply the seven ideas of Depart No Hint. This contains packing out what you convey into the park, be thoughtful of different hikers, keep on the path, and don’t take away something from the park.
What to Convey on the Hike
Mountain climbing sneakers. Don’t do that hike in something aside from mountain climbing sneakers or mountain climbing boots. The ultimate path as much as Mount Angeles, with the free rock and scree, is slippery. Additionally, you will want sneakers with good traction for the ultimate part of rock scrambling.
Mountain climbing poles. Mountain climbing poles take the stress off of your legs and assist to ease leg ache and fatigue.
Water and snacks. Not less than 2 liters of water in the summertime.
Sunscreen, hat, and sun shades. For a lot of this hike you may be uncovered to the solar, with little or no shade.
Rain jacket or fleece. It may be chilly on high of Mount Angeles, even in the summertime. Be ready for all climate situations.
Examine path situations on the Nationwide Park Service web site earlier than you go.
In case you are new to mountain climbing or are interested in what it is best to convey on a hike, take a look at our Mountain climbing Gear Information. Discover out what we feature in our day packs and what we put on on the paths.
