Here on Washington’s Olympic Mountains weather can be unpredictable. Just 17 miles from downtown Port Angeles and the Straits of Juan de Fuca, it's a mile climb to Hurricane Ridge. Named for intense gales and high winds, up on the ridge the views are astounding! Down below the park valleys are often filled with fog or low, wispy clouds. In late spring snow lingers in the higher elevations, but as the days grow longer alpine meadows burst forth with a carpet of wildflowers. Tame black-tailed deer seem to pause, posing long enough for the photographer to capture a picturesque scene.
   It's easy to see why Hurricane Ridge is most popular travel destination in the Port Angeles area. Over three million visitors each year explore this section of Olympic National Park. During the summer months visitors may hike the easy mile and a half paved trail to the top of Hurricane Hill. During clear weather this mile high perch offers spectacular sunset views of a sparkling Port Angeles and Victoria, British Columbia. The Meadow Loop Trail starts off from the visitor center and heads out into a typical alpine meadow, often found blanketed in fields of wildflowers. After a brief autumn, these fields become the fun spots for sledding and snowboarding. Here in the northwestern corner of Washington this winter wonderland sometimes lasts into the month of May.

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