Switchback, Elwha To Hurricane Hill — Friday, Jun. 25, 2010

Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast

We actually hiked from Hurricane Hill to Lk. Mills Overlook Rocks towards Elwha Stats: Distance – 9.5+ miles combined for the two hikes Elev. gain/loss - 3600 ft +/- combined for the two hikes Fun - 100% Directions: Head up Hurricane Ridge the TH and parking for the Switchback Trail is on the right. For the Hurricane Hill TH, follow the main paved road past the visitors’ center to the end. The Switchback trail was in great shape. This is quite a climb (1500 to 1600 ft. elev. in 1 1/2 mi., depending on what book you have… oh, it really is a “switchback” trail) There was snow from before the “T” that goes either back to Hurricane ridge or up to Klahhane Ridge. In a couple of weeks this trail to Klahhane Ridge should be snow free. The trail to the Lk. Mills Overlook rock was mostly in great shape. There is quite a bit of snow just past the cut off from the Hurricane Hill trail. A little bushwhacking for now but in a couple of weeks it also should be snow free. The objective today: We planned to check out the Switchback Trail to Klahhane Ridge and wanted to hike from Hurricane Hill to the Lk. Mills Overlook (we had hiked from Elwha to this rock earlier this yr.) Doubling our Pleasure and our Fun: We did two hikes with lots of awesome scenery, saw two bear, saw two goats, saw lots of deer and marmots… yay !! Switchback Trail: The trail will wake you up in the morning !! A good climb with wonderful views. Climbing into our first snow before the “T” in the trail… and then more snow and views. At this point the traverse was starting to have a pretty seriously long slide down to the tree line and since the snow was already very soft and mushy (you could kick steps into it but they often did not hold) we decided to turn around. We did have traction devices but that would not have helped. Trekking poles were very nice to have. Off we headed to the Hurricane Ridge visitor center for lunch. After lunch it was off to the Hurricane Hill TH. Wonderful views this day… We were able to see the Olys, the Straits of Juan de Fuca, Victoria, Mt. Baker, several critters and lots of miles of pure awesomeness !! From the Hurricane Hill trail you come to a junction for Elwha Valley and take a left off the main trail and off we went to Lk. Mills over look rocks. The meadow and about a mile + we were in snow. Again no traction devices were needed, trekking poles were handy and there was a bit of scrambling that was necessary in a few places because of the snow. Out of the snow, the trail was in great shape and well defined. There were lots of flowers to enjoy and then we see our destination… the Lk. Mills Overlook rocks. After a nice break enjoying the awesome views we then headed back to the Hurricane Hill trail. The expanse of views today were nothing short of spectacular and the camera just does not do what you actually see any justice. A little more bushwhacking, the final climb in the snow and then back to the junction of the Hurricane Hill trail where we decided to finish the HH trail. Another wonderful day in the ONP… Happy Hiking !!