Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Lake Angeles
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. From high above on Klahhane Ridge, 20-acre Lake Angeles looks like a teardrop. Occupying a glacial cirque, the lake is ringed on three sides by steep rocky walls. Through most of the summer, tumbling creeks of snowmelt feed the isolated body of water. A small island formed by rockfall and adorned with subalpine firs sits in the middle of the emerald lake. Beautifully set, Lake Angeles is well-loved by hikers from near and far. The boot-beaten path to its shores attests to this. But this is not an easy hike-the trail gains over 2300 feet in 3.5 miles. Well-shaded, however, you shouldn't have any trouble overheating while grunting to your objective. The well-worn path immediately sets out climbing, paralleling Ennis Creek, before making a sharp turn east and heading over to another creek drainage. The trail then makes a sharp turn back west, crosses the creek, and begins to climb straight up a rib, the divide between Ennis and Lake Creeks. Never easing up, the trail works its way into the deep cirque housing the lake. At 3.7 miles a sign indicates the lake is near. Turn left down a short spur and behold, Lake Angeles. Cool air rushes down the bare slopes above, rippling the lake surface. Sunlight twinkles off of the small waves. It's a soothing scene, but you won't be alone here. You've earned the right to find a nice spot, however, to enjoy this Olympic aquatic gem.
Driving Directions:
From Port Angeles leave US 101 near milepost 249, following Race Street south 1.2 miles to Hurricane Ridge Road (Heart o' the Hills Parkway) and passing the Olympic National Park Visitors Center and Wilderness Information Center. Proceed on Hurricane Ridge Road for 5 miles. Just before the park entrance booth, turn right (west) to reach a large trailhead parking area. Recent Trip Reports
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Lake Angeles
— Dec 19, 2011
— PNA
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Trail is in good shape up to the lake. Trail is mostly bare, although there are a few stretches...
Trail is in good shape up to the lake. Trail is mostly bare, although there are a few stretches of patchy ice/snow. Nothing unpleasant. There is a fair bit of snow and ice the last half mile or so, but again, not too bad going up or down. Around the lake the ground is pretty much completely snow-covered, up to about a foot. The snow is pretty dense and old and irregular, so not very good for camping. The lake is frozen over, and people have been walking on it, but I sure wouldn't recommend it yet.
The campground is greatly improved by the logs NPS put in - while snow covered, it seemed much less of a barren wasteland than the last time I was up there. I didn't go any higher due to laziness, and the unpleasant snow conditions. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Friday furlough took me to PA and up the Hurricane road a bit for a look at the Heather-Klahhane-Angeles loop,...
Friday furlough took me to PA and up the Hurricane road a bit for a look at the Heather-Klahhane-Angeles loop, which I'd not done before. Went counterclockwise, heading up the Heather Park trail, already above the lowland clouds and drizzle, at 9am. Two other vehicles were in the parking lot, starting at about 1900 feet.
The ascent to Heather Park was smooth and uneventful. Heather basin,though nice and lush (last best water until above Lk Angeles), seemed rather small and compact in comparison to other "basins" I've visited in the Olympics. Nice wildflowers. Heather Pass was more interesting, open, rocky, with hazy views to the west and straits, and with Mt Angeles jutting up right there in your face. The trail went down a stretch of loose scree and then traversed under interesting rock formations, some eroding small gullies, and upsydownsy to another pass on a ridge of Mt Angeles. There I met a couple of guys that had come in from the Klahhane/Switchback trail. Nice views across to Klahhane ridge, though long views were obscured by haze. Dropped down scree slopes (again), followed by an ascending traverse, across one significant but very negotiable snow slope, up to Victor Pass. Encountered lots of others there and along Klahhane Ridge to the east. Enjoyed the walk along Klahhane, with nice open views in many directions, and always with an eye out for wildlife. I lunched just east of the high point on the ridge near Camp Freezeout, above where one can look down for a first look at Lk Angeles. The final leg descended quickly on slopes just steep enough to keep things interesting (with some loose ball-bearing scree underfoot now and then). Finally returned to the forest before reaching the lake, where the trail grade lessened and the trail bed softened with forest litter. Took the short side trail to visit the lake before heading down through deep forest to arrive back at the car at 5pm. Few bugs, good trails (generally), good workout with a lot of variety and elevation gain. I missed out on expansive distant views due to the days' haze, but who can complain? Overnight
Issues:
Bugs
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Although the 3.7 mile hike to Lake Angeles is moderately strenuous to strenuous (depending on your fitness level) and not...
Although the 3.7 mile hike to Lake Angeles is moderately strenuous to strenuous (depending on your fitness level) and not too scenic along the way, the end result is worth it.
I arrived at the trailhead about 1pm and was at the Lake by 2:45pm. The trail is free and clear of any obstructions and the view at the lake was as stunning as ever. Bring your mosquito repellent if you plan to stay overnight. Also, be prepared to lose yourself while staring at the 5 waterfalls falling almost 1000ft from the melting snow on Klahannie Ridge to the Lake below. If you plan on swimming to the lake good luck, the water will literally take your breath away. Remember to stop at the Wilderness Information Center for an overnight permit if you plan on camping out. Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Background:I had stopped by the ONP Rangers office last Wed. and asked for a hike with out toooo much snow...
Background:I had stopped by the ONP Rangers office last Wed. and asked for a hike with out toooo much snow and some elevation to get there. Having recently moved to the NW OP, right before the earth drops off, I have been really looking forward to getting into the Olympics. Their suggestion: Lake Angeles. Ok granted, this hike is not getting into the Olympics to far… but it really was a wonderful spring hike and a great day to be out.
Stats: Distance - 7.4 miles Elev. gain/loss - 2300 feet Time - 5 hours to/from the ONP Visitors Center Fun - 100% The trail was in great shape. Hardly any mud and good tread for the majority of the hike. The elevation gain is gentle... enough to know you are climbing and the best part is... it was not too hard on the knees on the way down. I always use trekking poles, they were not "necessary" but helpful in the snow and on the way back to the trail head. For most of the hike we were entertained by the sounds of Ennis Creek and Lake Creek. Since this is really a woods hike with no views, the creek sounds were very welcome. We ran into snow about the last mile in before the Lake. The snow was well packed and not toooo slick. It had snowed last night and there was about a 1/2 inch of new snow which also helped with traction. When we were very close to the lake, there were some post holes that were over 3 feet deep... sorry for that person. But, no post hole-in’ for us today. While we had our lunches one other hiker made it to the lake and joined us for a little while. It was on the cooler side at the lake, so we did not stay very long. For the entire hike we only ran into three fellow hikers including our lunch guest, which was a nice surprise. When I checked out the TH on Wed., the parking lot was full. As I mentioned this is a woods hike but it was very peaceful and despite really no views on the trail or at Lk. Angeles, it was a great day. Later on this summer I will be back to do the loop hike there that will take me back to Lk. Angeles to see what it is like during that time of year. Happy Hiking… Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mud/Rockslide | Snow on trail
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Started at Heart o Hills parking lot. Headed out on Lake angeles Trail which was clear sailing with only a...
Started at Heart o Hills parking lot. Headed out on Lake angeles Trail which was clear sailing with only a few lil muddy spots. Bugs left us alone..
Didnt hit melting snow till actually reaching the lake where it was still lightly covered by Ice. From there we wanted to get a better view so we headed up the Klahhane Ridge trail. after a short scramble we reached a look out rock where it was a breathless view. We enjoyed our lunch and took plenty of photos..... |
Lake Angeles. Photo by GsxrJake03
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