Grand Ridge (Olympics)

GETTING THERE

From Highway 101 in Port Angeles, turn south on Race St and continue onto Mt Angeles Rd. Then turn right on Hurricane Ridge Rd (aka Heart O'the Hills Parkway) and continue for 17.5 miles. Make a sharp left turn onto Obstruction Point Rd and follow it 7.7 miles to its end and the trailhead (6,100 ft).

on the trail

Done in its entirety and all the way out-and-back, this is a very strenuous 15 mile hike with nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain along all of Grand Ridge in the Olympics. Some options for making this a more moderate hike include:

• Hike 2.5 miles out from Obstruction Point to just beyond Elk Mountain and then back.  It's 5.0 miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain and a 6,600 ft highpoint elevation.

• Hike 3.0 miles out from Obstruction Point to Maiden Peak and then back. It's 6.0 miles round trip with 900 feet of elevation gain and a 6,600 ft high point elevation.

• Return from Elk Mountain or Maiden Peak by the Badger Valley Cutoff Trail.  It's unmaintained so it is a difficult and challenging return.

• Split your party in two: one group hikes from Obstruction Point to Deer Park and the other hikes from Deer Park to Obstruction Point with a "key swap" in the middle. It's 7.5 miles one-way with a 6,600 ft highpoint elevation. It's 700 feet of elevation gain and 1,440 feet of elevation loss from Obstruction Point to Deer Park, and visa versa​ from Deer Park to Obstruction Point.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
• Seasons: July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Length: 15.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 1,995 ft
• High Point: 6,600 ft

• Land Manager: Olympic National Park
• Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
• Recommended Party Size: 8
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12