Bottom Line:
This is a challenging trail with an aggressive 1000 ft of vertical per mile, and a rope section to pull yourself up a number of steep and rocky sections with some exposure, all to a beautiful cliff-side perch high above Crescent Lake; beautiful forest from bottom to top, starting in a wetter forest with giant old-growth trees near Marymere Falls, and ascending into a dryer mixed forest including madrona trees; a popular and somewhat crowded trail (even with an early start), but stunning and an adventure nevertheless!
Stats:
- Distance: 4-1/4 miles
- Duration: 2-1/2 hours
- Vertical: 2110 ft
- Weather: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, 60s
- Parking: The Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent has a large lot, but this is a very popular hike, so the lot was full and eventually parking overflowed on to the adjacent road; there is more parking at the Crescent Lake Lodge, which allows one to return via a beautiful forest walk along Barnes Creek; National Park pass required to park; restrooms at trailhead with ample signage and maps
- Trail: The trail is challenging, with 1000 ft of vertical per mile (more than say, Mt Si) and a rocky and rooty surface for much of its distance; once you reach the "End of Maintained Trail" sign, the ropes to the top begin; the ropes are not that bad (this is not an Angels Landing or Half Dome by any stretch), but the congestion on the trail can make it a little bit nerve wracking (one fall could potentially trigger a cascading set of falls); beyond the rope there are some exposed sections on a narrow fin where many folks did the "crab walk"; poles were useful for much of the trail, but somewhat problematic on the ropes as mine did not telescope down enough to avoid tight clearances with trees overhanging the trail; all and all a lot of fun with a good amount of challenge to keep things interesting; the view is obviously incredible, and would be even more so towards sunset
- Flowers: A good variety of flowers particularly in the sun-exposed slopes as the trees thin near the top (e.g. paintbrush, penstemon); the madrona trees are lovely throughout (was not expecting these)
Just phone pics today given the "huff" quotient of this hike (I was soaking wet when I returned)! The attached video captures most of the trail.
Comments
JDubs425 on Mount Storm King
Any known hikes that will provide great views, but aren’t as challenging? We will have some new-to-hiking older family members with us in a few weeks.
Posted by:
JDubs425 on Jun 19, 2023 08:42 AM
Alpine Wanderer on Mount Storm King
The obvious choice would be Hurricane Ridge where you can gain most of the vertical by car, but it is closed due to the fire at the visitor's center. I am not that familiar with other hikes to viewpoints around Lake Crescent but maybe someone else can chime in? Along the lake itself, the hike to Devil's Punchbowl, routed through the tunnel in a loop, is a good one, with expansive views of the lake and its amazingly clear water. The Marymere Falls trail is also a short excursion but does not really provide expansive views. On Storm King, you can get a pretty good view of the lake prior to the "End of Maintained Trail" sign, but it is partly obscured by trees, and you cannot see the west arm.
Posted by:
Alpine Wanderer on Jun 21, 2023 10:16 AM
Alpine Wanderer on Mount Storm King
Looks like Hurricane Ridge is reopening June 27th :)
Posted by:
Alpine Wanderer on Jun 22, 2023 03:07 PM
Spunky Platypus on Mount Storm King
Wonderful write up! Thank you so much for the amazing contribution. I can't wait to do Mt. Storm King in Jul!
Posted by:
Spunky Platypus on Jun 21, 2023 09:07 AM
Alpine Wanderer on Mount Storm King
Glad it got you pumped up for your visit in July - enjoy! :)
Posted by:
Alpine Wanderer on Jun 21, 2023 09:55 AM