Grand Ridge is appropriately named. The views are grand, the wildflowers are grand, and trekking across its wide open slopes is a grand experience. But it gets grander. Reaching an altitude of 6600 feet, this trail is among the highest in the Olympics and one of the most scenic, with nonstop views of jagged glacier-covered peaks, deep valleys of unbroken old growth, and miles upon miles of
wildflower-saturated meadows and tundra.

The complete trek across Grand Ridge from Obstruction Point to Deer Park is 7.5 miles, with a whole lot of up and down. It ranks as one of the all-time great ridge traverses in the Olympics. But unless you can arrange for a pick-up at the other end, it's a tough 15-mile round trip that only a few hardy souls are willing to make. The 5-mile out and back traversing the slopes of Elk Mountain, the highest point on the ridge, should do the trick for most. You'll be able to take in Grand Ridge's finest views, with plenty of time to stop and smell the copious flowers along the way.

In wide-open country, start off by descending slightly toward the Badger Valley. In 0.2 mile the Badger Valley Trail takes off right, dropping steeply below into emerald oblivion. Your trail angles left, rounding Obstruction Peak before traversing the barren, wind-battered, and sun-dried south face of Elk Mountain. Some years, snows linger in the shadows of Obstruction Peak, making travel dangerous. If the steep gullies haven't melted out, consider hiking to Grand Valley instead.

Once the snow is gone, however, it's high and dry on the ridge. Pack plenty of water. After 1 mile of huffing and puffing the grade eases, allowing you to concentrate on the fascinating alpine tundra cloaking Elk Mountain. Put your nose to the ground to admire floral arrangements of lupine, columbine, tiger lily, paintbrush, cow parsley, rosehip, penstemon, larkspur, gentian, cinquefoil, and a handful of other showy blossoms. Watch the meadows for movement too. You may spot one of the horned larks that calls Grand Ridge home.

At 2 miles and an elevation of 6600 feet-the highest maintained tread in the park-come to a junction with the Badger Valley cutoff, an option for an interesting, albeit difficult return. Continue on relatively flat terrain for another 0.5 mile, basking in mountain breezes and soaking up views. From the sparkling waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the snowy summits of Mounts Olympus, Cameron, Carrie, and Deception, grand views emanate.

At 2.5 miles the trail makes a steep plunge down a rocky slope on its way to Maiden Peak. This is a good place to start retracing your steps, savoring this alpine beauty a little bit longer.