Mount Storm King
Olympic National Park
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The Mount Storm King hike barely meets the threshold of what I would call a "day adventure". At four miles, it is certainly not the length to occupy your entire day. However, what this trail lacks in length it will make up for in elevation gain! That is roughly 2,500 feet of elevation gain in two miles up - and I bet it will take you longer than you think! Add to that a three drive or ferry ride there and back (Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula) and you have yourself a full day!
The destination of the Mount Storm King hike is a rocky outcropping with a spectacular view of Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park and of Canada on the horizon. The true Mount Storm King summit is about 2,000 feet higher and not accessible by any pre-defined route (as far as I am aware). I had been saving this hike on my to-do list for awhile, waiting for the perfect blue sky day to capture those signature views!
The trail starts out forested and flat before jolting upward steeply for the remainder of the two miles. On this day, the trail kicked my butt the entire way and I knew it would. It was late January and I was fresh off my winter "hibernation" and holiday good eats. I pressed on anyway, considering this as an early conditioning hike to get back in shape. And I knew the views would be worth it!
After about 2/3 of the hike up, official trail exits the forest and abruptly ends on a rocky mountain side. To continue on from there the path is considered a climbers route up the last half mile to the rocky view point. One unique aspect of this hike is that ropes have been tied onto trees for leverage to hoist yourself up and down the rocky mountainside. There is no real exposure or danger, just a steep slope with loose sandy soil and the ropes help for stability. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of the rope section because, well, I was holding on with both hands!
Once at the top the signature views didn't disappoint! There is not much room on the rocky viewpoint , so I traded spots in and out with several others taking photos and then headed back down pretty quickly. After all, I had the three hour trip back to Seattle still awaiting me. If you can catch a sunny day to do this hike, definitely go for it! The rope climbing section is fun and views are worth the effort!
The destination of the Mount Storm King hike is a rocky outcropping with a spectacular view of Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park and of Canada on the horizon. The true Mount Storm King summit is about 2,000 feet higher and not accessible by any pre-defined route (as far as I am aware). I had been saving this hike on my to-do list for awhile, waiting for the perfect blue sky day to capture those signature views!
The trail starts out forested and flat before jolting upward steeply for the remainder of the two miles. On this day, the trail kicked my butt the entire way and I knew it would. It was late January and I was fresh off my winter "hibernation" and holiday good eats. I pressed on anyway, considering this as an early conditioning hike to get back in shape. And I knew the views would be worth it!
After about 2/3 of the hike up, official trail exits the forest and abruptly ends on a rocky mountain side. To continue on from there the path is considered a climbers route up the last half mile to the rocky view point. One unique aspect of this hike is that ropes have been tied onto trees for leverage to hoist yourself up and down the rocky mountainside. There is no real exposure or danger, just a steep slope with loose sandy soil and the ropes help for stability. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of the rope section because, well, I was holding on with both hands!
Once at the top the signature views didn't disappoint! There is not much room on the rocky viewpoint , so I traded spots in and out with several others taking photos and then headed back down pretty quickly. After all, I had the three hour trip back to Seattle still awaiting me. If you can catch a sunny day to do this hike, definitely go for it! The rope climbing section is fun and views are worth the effort!
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