The Magic of the Mountains

One of the top attractions here in Port Angeles is Hurricane Ridge. A mere 17 mile-drive up into the Olympic mountains with an elevation gain of about 1 mile will take approximately 45 minutes. Due to all of the breathtaking views, wildlife, wildflowers, and off-road waterfalls it will be hard to keep your eyes on the road. Just 5 miles up, you can park at the “lookout” to see Sequim Bay, the Strait of Juan De Fuca, over to Victoria Canada and, on a clear day you should see Mt. Rainier rising through the clouds. The Olympic National Park does offer a few free days throughout the year, otherwise it’s only $15.00 for the week or you might as well just get the annual pass for $30, especially if you live in Washington. Right after the ranger station is a fantastic park & camp campground called Heart o’ the Hills, but if you’re not camping you might be interested in doing the Heart o’ the hills trail which is pretty easy and probably littered with ripe huckleberries during this time of year.

A couple more miles up is another lookout with a very short trail to a panoramic view of the valleys of Hurricane Ridge which used to be filled with flowing water many, many years ago. If you listen carefully you can hear the much smaller river flowing way down at the bottom, covered by the forest. You’ll pass through a few tunnels, and drive along the side of the mountain on a winding road for a few miles until you reach the visitor’s center. Keep your eyes open for deer, they’re everywhere, and boy are they friendly! 

At the top, you’ll find many trails. During a very short period of the year the “Obstruction Point” Road is open which is a bit scary but if you can make it down this 10-mile road you’ll find a place in nature that has hardly been touched by man, that might take you to beautiful glacially-fed turquoise lakes or on long wild flower-covered trails.

After getting back to nature, we invite you to stop by Harbinger and have a tasting or glass of wine like our La Petite Fleur which is almost as refreshing as drinking from a fast-flowing waterfall created from the melting snow.  We would love to hear about your adventure!