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canyonwalkerOlympic Peninsula Travelog #9
Olympic National Park, WA - Sat, 4 Sep 2021. 12:30pm.
The distance and the ascent melted away beneath our feet surprisingly easily as we hiked the Hurricane Ridge Trail to Hurricane Hill. Perhaps it was the constant views in all directions (previous) blog that helped us not notice the exertion. How far we'd come was easier to see looking back down the trail.
Here we're on the shoulder of the summit. Looking back down the trail, it loops around the far side of the knob at the right, then around the right side of the knob at the center of the photo, then down to the ridge beyond that. The trailhead is noticeable as a small bald spot on that ridge.
As much as the trail was surprisingly easy for us it was surprisingly easy for a lot of people. The trail was crowded. We expected that, of course; it is a national park, and it is a holiday weekend. But we do like hiking the trail less traveled. So near the summit we forked off on the Elwha trail to explore a quieter part of the ridge.
From this short trek out the Elwha trail we can see more than a vertical mile down to the Straight of Juan de Fuca below. Across the straight is Canada.
What about our "constant companion" Mt. Olympus?
Oh, it's still there, constantly over our shoulder when we're not looking straight at it.
We explored along the top of the Elwha trail just far enough to get off the beaten path. We weren't about to hike down that vertical mile only to have to climb back up it! Alas while the Elwha trail was quieter than the Hurricane Hill trail we did not have the area entirely to ourselves. We shared it with a few other hikers.
This photo reminds me of a quip from a Brit who's fascinated with America's varied geography— and its spread across four time zones. "You've got a whole time zone called Mountain Time," he wrote. "Whatever time it is, it's always Mountain Time somewhere!"
Now imagine the conversation between the couple in this photo.
"Hon, what time is it?"
"See, look, it's mountain time!"
Update: The adventure continues! Keep reading in Views from the Top.
Olympic National Park, WA - Sat, 4 Sep 2021. 12:30pm.
The distance and the ascent melted away beneath our feet surprisingly easily as we hiked the Hurricane Ridge Trail to Hurricane Hill. Perhaps it was the constant views in all directions (previous) blog that helped us not notice the exertion. How far we'd come was easier to see looking back down the trail.
Here we're on the shoulder of the summit. Looking back down the trail, it loops around the far side of the knob at the right, then around the right side of the knob at the center of the photo, then down to the ridge beyond that. The trailhead is noticeable as a small bald spot on that ridge.
As much as the trail was surprisingly easy for us it was surprisingly easy for a lot of people. The trail was crowded. We expected that, of course; it is a national park, and it is a holiday weekend. But we do like hiking the trail less traveled. So near the summit we forked off on the Elwha trail to explore a quieter part of the ridge.
From this short trek out the Elwha trail we can see more than a vertical mile down to the Straight of Juan de Fuca below. Across the straight is Canada.
What about our "constant companion" Mt. Olympus?
Oh, it's still there, constantly over our shoulder when we're not looking straight at it.
We explored along the top of the Elwha trail just far enough to get off the beaten path. We weren't about to hike down that vertical mile only to have to climb back up it! Alas while the Elwha trail was quieter than the Hurricane Hill trail we did not have the area entirely to ourselves. We shared it with a few other hikers.
This photo reminds me of a quip from a Brit who's fascinated with America's varied geography— and its spread across four time zones. "You've got a whole time zone called Mountain Time," he wrote. "Whatever time it is, it's always Mountain Time somewhere!"
Now imagine the conversation between the couple in this photo.
"Hon, what time is it?"
"See, look, it's mountain time!"
Update: The adventure continues! Keep reading in Views from the Top.
