Hiker finds scenic views while taking longer route

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — There’s more than one way to get to Hurricane Hill.

A Sunday hike from the Elwha River valley to the alpine viewpoint south of Port Angeles was 13 miles longer and 4,800 feet higher than the conventional route from the end of Hurricane Ridge Road.

Those who prefer the scenic route — or didn’t get the memo about Hurricane Ridge Road reopening Friday — are rewarded with a wilderness experience on a lightly used trail through old growth forests and alpine meadows teeming with wildflowers.

The Elwha River approach to Hurricane Hill begins at the 250-foot Madison Falls trailhead at the end of Olympic Hot Spring Road.

The first 2 miles follow bypass trails and a portion of Olympic Hot Springs Road that has been closed for river erosion.

The trail leaves the Elwha River valley near the Whiskey Bend Road junction and climbs through dense forest and underbrush on a series of switchbacks.

Several fallen logs must be negotiated on the lower trail due to a lack of recent maintenance. Mushrooms and wild asparagus could be found on the lower trail.

Two full-grown bears were foraging along the trail at about 3,000 feet of elevation on the Sunday descent. The bears scattered at the sound of a human cough from about 50 yards away.

At about 4,200 feet, the trail breaks through the forest and climbs toward a basalt outcrop on a 5,000-foot ridge that continues east for about 2 miles to Hurricane Hill.

This section offers splendid views of the Bailey Range and alpine meadows covered with blooming purple, yellow, orange and white wildflowers.

The remote Elwha access trail connects with the popular Hurricane Hill trail just two-tenths of a mile from the summit.

Port Angeles, which is visible from Hurricane Hill on clear days, was shrouded in a low layer of clouds on Sunday.

The conventional Hurricane Hill Trail begins at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road and climbs 677 feet in 1.6 miles.

Olympic National Park officials said the Hurricane Hill Trail will close in July for the final phase of a paving project.

Another alternate route leaves a 1,055-foot trailhead on Little River Road south of Port Angeles and travels 9.2 miles up the South Branch Little River to the Hurricane Hill summit.

For information on hiking in Olympic National Park, click www.nps.gov/olym or call the park hotline at 360-565-3131.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.