Grand Pass Loop

Few National Parks offer quite the diversified set of landscapes that Olympic National Park provides, 95% of which is contained Olympic Wilderness, recently designated in 1988. The three very distinct types of ecosystems found in the park include rugged Pacific Coastline, swathes of untouched old-growth temperate Rainforest, and dramatic glaciated mountains. The diversity in terrain is only matched by the diversity in flora and fauna, and visitors can hope to see many types of mega-fauna such as black bear, Roosevelt elk, mountain goat, black-tailed deer, and more.

The epicenter of the park is the Olympic Mountains, which piled up as the Juan de Fuca plate became subducted beneath the North American plate. Glaciers and constant precipitation have steadily ground the range into the wild and mountainous wilderness you see today.

Grand Pass marks ones of the highlights for visitors, but is not accessible for the less dedicated hikers. It can be combined with Hurricane Ridge to provide vistas across the northeast corner of the park. Begin at the Deer Park Trailhead and head down the Three Forks Trail, the bottom of which is a confluence of several rivers that makes a great campsite for your first night in the wild. The next day, or on the same very ambitious day, follow Cameron Creek toward the base of Grand Pass. An immense and steep climb awaits, and it takes you out of the forest, along the creek, and up into the alpine tundra of Grand Pass. Take as many pictures as you want, just know that you will be stopping for many more on your way down to Grand Lake, which makes a perfect place to stop for night number two.

On your third day, a decent climb will take you up to the Obstruction Point Trailhead to mark the beginning of the Hurricane Ridge traverse back to Deer Park. The bathroom here will likely be a welcome pit stop before you continue your journey. Take the Hurricane Ridge Trail back to Deer Park, and make sure to occasionally climb up the left to the top of the ridge to view north into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Port Angeles 13 miles away.

Note that road access is generally closed during the winter.