After turning around on the Klahhane Ridge Trail that leaves from the Hurricane Visitor Center parking area due to a large snowy slope, I drove down the road a ways to hike up the Switchback Trail up to Klahhane Ridge.
This is a 1.5 mile trail with 1,600 ft of gain, that connects with the Heather Park and Lake Angeles Trails on Victor Pass. I hiked a short ways along the Lake Angels Trail, until stopped by snow.
The trails around the Hurricane Ridge area all had these bear and goat warnings. I didn't see any of them today.
Small stream going across the trail near the beginning of the hike.
There was a large meadow filled with yellow violets near the lower part of the trail.
Altlhough the trail appears to be in the forest, several sections go through open meadows with fabulous views, here looking up at Mt Angeles
young deer resting in a meadow
lots of paintbrush in bloom, Olympic peaks to the south
grouse hiding among the flowers
After about 0.6 mile and 700 ft of gain, the Switchback Trail joins with the Klahhane Ridge Trail from Hurricane Ridge parking area.
view seen a short ways after the trail junction (looking to the southwest, more Olympic peaks)
pats of the trail were like walking through a beautiful rock garden
Wide angle shot from higher on the trail: Clear view of Mt Olympus and other Olympic Peaks to the south-southwest. I think the large snow patch on the ridge to the far right, is where I turned around this morning on the Klahhane Ridge Trail our of Hurricane Ridge parking area.
Trail continues to climb up
wallflowers in bloom, looking up towards Mt Angeles
Almost to Victor Pass! The road far below where this trail began
lots of phlox in bloom
up on Victor Pass, the trail divides, left to Heather Park and right to Lake Angels. I choose to go to the right today.
Pano from Victor Pass looking north: Mt Angels, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada, Klahhane Ridge
Pano from Victor Pass looking south: lots of Olympic mountains!
prairie smoke in bloom
I hiked about 0.3 mile beyond Victor Pass to the east: pano shot to the north along this section
and a pano shot to the south
From here there is a very steep exposed slope with lots of snow. The rangers recommended having an ice ax for this section. I decided it was a great place to take a lunch break.
view from my lunch spot looking north
pasqueflower in bloom
on the steep trail, I was happy to descend slowly, continuing to enjoy the views and the wildflowers
douglasia in bloom along the side of Mt Angeles
great day for a saunter! watching the clouds move in from the south
A wonderful day on the trails.
some of the other wildflowers I saw in bloom along this trail today:
and a pano shot to the south
A wonderful day on the trails.
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