A final image from the recent visit to Hurricane Ridge (Olympic National Park). I thought you might like to see a more ground level shot. The snow is so compacted that we just walked on the surface. This was our lunch spot … we had a picnic table to sit on … and it was clear of snow.
Hurricane Hill is one of the most visited spots in the Olympic National Park both summer and winter. In summer the trail is paved (and thus accessable) and heavily used. The number of visitors is restricted in the winter because the road to Hurricane Ridge is only open on weekends. At 5757 feet (1755 m) the “hill” is a snowshoe and crosscountry ski destination. This winter there isn’t enough snow for much of that … at least at this point. Hopefully, there will be some winter or spring storms dropping lots more snow.
These were taken during the recent trip I made to Hurricane Ridge. The view above is looking south down the Elwha River valley at the heart of the Olympic National Park. I have hiked the valley a number of times, and it’s as lovely from ground level as it looks from this elevation. Below is looking more west towards the south end of the Bailey Range. The close valley is the Elwha and on the other side of the ridge running along the other side of the Elwha is Long Creek … the ridge is Long Ridge.
These shore pines are contorted by the near constant wind along the Pacific beaches of the Olympic National Park. Easy to tell which way the wind blows.
If you have nice weather in the winter, the beach is a great choice for a walk… if you can’t get to the mountains. At least that is my choice. This is Kalaloch … one of the Olympic National Park beaches.