Discover A Little-Known Natural Wonder In Washington On The 3.2-Mile Switchback Trail
By Jessica Moore|Published March 07, 2023
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Jessica Moore
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Jessica is a storm chaser, photographer, meteorologist, and writer from Colorado. As a native of this beautiful state, she grew up with a love of the outdoors, and today enjoys hiking, rafting, skiing, and photographing landscapes and storms. She is also a mom to a beautiful little girl and loves life as an entrepreneur which allows her to be fully present for her daughter. She has been a writer for OnlyInYourState for just over 1 year and loves the opportunity to combine her loves of writing and travel to bring you the most exciting content for travel destinations across the country.
The Olympic National Park is a stunning park in northwest Washington State encompassing nearly one million acres. It is world-renowned for its sweeping vistas, snow-capped mountains, and vast, pristine wilderness. Visitors come from far and wide to hike and explore this wilderness, and countless hiking trails are dispersed throughout the park. However, one hiking trail stands apart from the rest. It leads to a breathtaking natural wonder in Washington that begs to be explored.
The 3.2-mile Switchback Trail in Olympic National Park can be accessed via the park's north entrance. From the town of Port Angeles, follow the Hurricane Ridge road for about 16.7 miles until you reach the trailhead.
Please note that Hurricane Ridge Road is often closed in the wintertime due to road conditions and winter weather. Be sure to verify road conditions and closures with the National Park Service Website before your visit. Proper winter attire is a must (that includes shoes, ideally snowshoes), and plenty of layers and water.
Be sure to have a trail map in hand, as the route isn't always clearly marked. While the trail is rated as "Moderate" difficulty, many reviewers felt the trail should be rated "Hard". Given that you'll gain 1,571 feet in elevation in total, this trail is best suited for more experienced hikers.
The first mile of the trail is generally regarded as challenging with lots of switchbacks, but from there, the ascent becomes quite steep. Feel free to stop and rest as often as needed. Be sure to drink in the incredible surroundings including the waterfalls along the trail while you're at it.
One thing to note about Switchback Trail is that the trail is quite narrow in places, with some notable exposure to drop-offs, so for those weary of heights, beware! That said, these incredible views of Mount Angeles are second to none.
The last portion of the trail is steep and involves a boulder scramble to the top of Mount Angeles. There is lots of loose rock, so be sure to have sturdy shoes, take your time, and break when needed. We assure you, the view from the top is worth the challenge.
