Grand Ridge to Maiden Peak West

We drove up to Deer Park in Olympic National Park to hike part way along the Grand Ridge Trail. We hiked out of Maiden Peak West and back, about 7.75 miles with 1,740 ft of overall gain. There were wildflowers and gorgeous views, a lovely day!

The first 2.75 miles is through the forest with only occasional views of nearby peaks.

The wildflowers were blooming in the forest, including these columbine.

Grand Ridge in the distance, seen through the trees.

Although the snow had melted in this forested portion of the trail, there were still plenty of avalanche lilies in bloom.

 There was a variety of life to see, including this tiny blue-eyed Mary underneath a mushroom rising through the forest floor.

A glimpse of Olympic Peaks to the east.

After hiking through the forest, we reached the open slopes of Grand Ridge to the southwest.

Looking back towards Blue Mountain, where we started our hike to the north.

As we continued along the ridge, we started to see high Olympic Mountain Peaks.

Mountain peaks and alpine wildflowers in bloom, wonderful!

Here a carpet of wildflowers 

penstemon and phlox covering this slope along the trail

Looking to the north between Maiden Peak and Maiden Peak West, below us the Straits of Juan de Luca between Port Angeles and Sequim.

Views from the top of Maiden Peak West:

zoom photo towards Mount Deception

Heading back, beyond Grand Ridge we could see a distant Mt Baker (left edge of photo) and Glacier Peak  (right side of photo)

zoom of Mt Baker

zoom of Glacier Peak

Lots of saxifrage in bloom on the north end of Grand Ridge, another view of Blue Mountain and our return destination.

One of many butterflies seen today:

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail today: