On Sunday, July 30, 2023, I started my first full day in Olympic National Park by watching the sunrise in Port Angeles before hiking Hurricane Hill, visiting Madison Falls, and tackling Mount Storm King and Marymere Falls. Altogether, I hiked about 11 miles with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
Sunrise at Ediz Hook
I had originally planned to watch the sunrise from Hurricane Hill, but the front desk employee at the Super 8 by Wyndham Port Angeles, where I was staying, informed me that the road to Hurricane Ridge wouldn't open until 7:00am.
In May 2023, a devastating fire destroyed the historic Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge, forcing the area to close temporarily. Although Hurricane Ridge reopened on June 27, 2023, access remained restricted due to limited facilities and portable toilet capacity. During my visit, the road was only open from 7:00am to 9:00pm, and the park limited entry to 345 vehicles per day.
Because of these restrictions, I decided to watch the sunrise from Ediz Hook instead. It was still a great place to start the morning! Unfortunately, I didn't stay quite long enough to see the sun fully rise because I was worried about encountering a long line to enter Hurricane Ridge. I left around 6:00am for the roughly 55-minute drive.
As I drove away, I kept glancing back toward the water, hoping to catch the sun coming up. I finally spotted it near Peabody Street, so I turned onto Front Street and pulled over to take a few photos of the sunrise before continuing on to Hurricane Ridge.
Hurricane Hill
Hurricane Ridge is one of the most easily accessible mountain areas in Olympic National Park, and Hurricane Hill is one of the best hikes for panoramic views. The 3.4-mile round-trip paved trail begins about 1.5 miles beyond the main Hurricane Ridge parking area and gains roughly 800 feet of elevation. Along the way, the trail offers sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and even Vancouver Island on a clear day.
I started hiking around 7:30am and returned to my car around 10:00am. It was a great first hike in Olympic National Park and gave me my first real look at the park’s mountainous landscape.
From there, I headed toward the Lake Crescent area, stopping at Madison Falls along the way before continuing on to Mount Storm King and Marymere Falls.
Madison Falls
Madison Falls is a 60-foot waterfall near the Elwha River and one of the easiest stops in Olympic National Park. Located in the Elwha Valley, the falls are reached by a short, 0.2-mile round-trip paved trail, making it a quick and worthwhile stop on the way toward Lake Crescent.
I arrived around 11:30am and left around 12:00pm. The walk itself was very quick, but I spent some time enjoying the waterfall and taking photos before continuing on to Lake Crescent.
Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent is a deep, crystal-clear glacial lake known for its striking blue water. At 624 feet deep, it is one of the deepest lakes in Washington and is a popular destination for hiking, kayaking, and enjoying the scenery.
I drove to the Log Cabin Resort area on the northeast side of the lake, which offers lake access, a boat launch, and kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals. It was the perfect place to relax for a little while and take a break for lunch. Rather than eating at the resort, I enjoyed the lunch I had packed for the day while taking in the beautiful views of the lake.
I left around 1:45pm and headed to the parking area for Mount Storm King and Marymere Falls.
Mount Storm King and Marymere Falls
Mount Storm King and Marymere Falls are two popular hikes in Olympic National Park that can easily be combined since they both start from the same parking area off Highway 101 near Lake Crescent.
I arrived at the paved, horseshoe-shaped parking lot, around 2:00pm, and it was pretty crowded. I had to circle the lot a couple of times before finding a spot, which wasn’t too surprising given the time of day and the popularity of the area. Luckily, people were coming and going fairly frequently, so I didn’t have to wait too long.
If the lot is full, additional parking may also be available near Lake Crescent Lodge, although this adds a short walk to reach the trail. Restrooms are available near the main parking area.
I decided to hike Mount Storm King first and save Marymere Falls for the end. Mount Storm King is approximately 4.4 miles round trip with more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain, making it a relatively short but steep and challenging hike.
The trail climbs steadily before reaching a sign marking the "End of Maintained Trail." Beyond that point, the route becomes considerably more challenging, with steep, exposed terrain and loose rocks. The final portion includes a series of ropes that hikers can use to help ascend and descend. However, these ropes are not installed or maintained by the National Park Service and should be used at your own discretion.
I brought a pair of running gloves specifically for the rope section, and I was very glad I had them! I noticed a few gloves that other hikers had left behind, but I definitely preferred having my own pair. They made gripping the ropes much more comfortable.
After making it through the rope section and continuing to the viewpoint, I was rewarded with an incredible view overlooking Lake Crescent. I reached the top around 4:30pm and spent some time taking photos and enjoying the view before sitting down to eat a sandwich and a few snacks.
When I felt rested, I started making my way back down. The descent is where it's especially important to pay attention, particularly along the steep and exposed rope section. Because the path is narrow, it's important to watch for other hikers coming up before beginning your descent. The loose terrain and unmaintained ropes make this section particularly challenging, so take your time and be cautious.
Once I returned to the maintained trail, I followed the signs toward Marymere Falls. The 90-foot waterfall is reached by a much easier trail through a lush, moss-covered forest, making it a nice final stop after the steep climb up Mount Storm King.
Lake Crescent to the Super 8 by Wyndham Port Angeles
I returned to my car a little after 8:00pm and drove about 40 minutes back to the Super 8 by Wyndham Port Angeles, stopping along Lake Crescent to take a few sunset photos along the way. After hiking roughly 11 miles that day, I was more than ready to shower, relax, and head to bed.
