This weekend we went to the Olympic National Park again. We drove up past Gig Harbor and north on the 3 then followed the 104 west to 101 which we took to Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge. Follow it on Google maps, its a stunning route. Baring in mind that it was 4th October, the temperature was 63 F and the sky was the clear, bright, blue that the PNW gets and we have seen nowhere else. We were already on to a winner.
So we drove into the National Park with out America the Beautiful pass and up to the top of the mountain. Hurricane ridge is at c. 5000ft and is very windy.
You drive up through low rainforest type trees that give way quickly to pines and a sub-alpine geography. All along the trail there is evidence of the volcanic and glacial activity. This picture clearly shows the different strata - note the orientation. How did it get sideways?!
I love to go a wandering, along the mountain trail...
After 1.6 miles we reach the top. A kindly tourist took our picture for us. She tried to fleece us for the camera but we wrestled her to the ground and managed to get it back.
You can see Mount Baker over our right shoulders. From this view point you can see Canada and the Straight of Juan da Fuca too.
We did a bit of another trail to Elwa too then headed back down to an enticing spot called, 'Switchback.' For those who don't cycle, a switchback is when the road is so steep you have to make a series of hairpin bends doubling back on yourself. This particular trail turned about 175 degrees each time!
It was about 6pm and I was getting a little worried about the sun going down on us. We still hadn't reached the top but it was tantilizingly close. Then after yet another switchback, we came across a full stop.
Mr Dear stayed and hung out for a bit. We tried to entice him to move, we tried going round him on the 60 degree scree slope, we tried shouting...to no avail. So we left him to it and scampered back down the hill.
Good thing because the moon was already up on the Strait.
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