6082 Travel Guide

Olympic National Park is one of the most ecologically diverse parks in the US National Park System. On Washington's Olympic Peninsula, it features three distinct ecosystems — temperate rainforest (Hoh Rain Forest, one of Earth's wettest forests), dramatic Pacific coastline and alpine glaciers — a natural treasure of the American Northwest. About 3,734 km² with three ecosystems. Hoh Rain Forest receives over 3,500 mm of rain annually — towering spruce and hemlock draped in moss. Pacific coastline features sea stacks, driftwood and crashing waves. Olympic Mountains have alpine meadows and glaciers. Roosevelt elk roam the park. Visiting to experience three ecosystems — rainforest, coastline and glaciers — is an amazing American Northwest experience.

Hurricane Ridge is an alpine viewpoint in Washington's Olympic National Park. At ~1,585 m (5,200 ft), it offers 360-degree panoramic views from the Pacific coast to Canada's Coast Mountains, summer wildflower meadows, winter skiing and a stunning ecological shift from temperate rainforest to alpine — the park's most popular and accessible alpine destination. A ~17-mile scenic drive from Port Angeles leads to the summit. On clear days, views span the Juan de Fuca Strait and Vancouver Island to the north, Olympic snow peaks to the east, endless mountains and glaciers to the south and dense rainforest to the west. In summer, alpine meadows bloom with lupine and heather while marmots play and deer graze. In winter, it becomes a small ski and snowshoe area. Visiting Hurricane Ridge and overlooking the Olympic Peninsula from the alpine summit is an unforgettable Washington experience.