Conquering The Mount Storm King Hike in Olympic National Park

It's a tough, steep hike that leads you to an unmaintained trail. While clinging onto a dusty climbing rope, looking down at the rocky hillside below you, questions of what you've gotten yourself into may arise.

So you may be wondering whether the hike up Mount Storm King in Olympic National Park is worth the effort. And the answer is yes, yes it is.

This is no ordinary hike.

The combination of thrilling adventure with unforgettable scenery from the top is one that's hard to find on a short day hike. You just don't get that experience of feeling on top of the world on any average trail.

In full disclosure, the steep terrain and unmaintained portion aren't for everyone. You'll need to read through, assess your tolerance for danger, and decide if you want to take on the challenge. But if you do, you’ll find yourself standing atop one of the most iconic viewpoints in the park.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know - where to park, how to tackle the trail, and what to bring along. Read through our personal experience on Mount Storm King, have a look at the amazing views you can expect, and then get to planning your own visit.

‍

Quick Overview

Length | 4.1 mile loop

Elevation | 2,106 feet

Difficulty | Hard (steep, with rock scrambles and a rope section)

‍

‍

Our Guide to Hiking Mount Storm King

‍

‍

Parking and An Easy Start on Marymere Falls Trail

This trail starts right along the shore of Lake Crescent, which you'll be looking back down upon after gaining more than 2,000 feet. Find parking near the Storm King Ranger Station, then head east on the path marked Marymere Falls Nature Trail.

Soon, you'll pass underneath Highway 101 and take a short jaunt through the forest, along Barnes Creek.

This section starts out flat and easy, but don't be deceived. Things are about to get much steeper.

In total, plan to spend between two and three hours on the trail. A visit to Marymere Falls adds about 3/4 of a mile and a couple hundred feet of elevation.

‍

The Switchbacks Begin

About half a mile in, look for a junction that marks the start of the first several switchbacks. Turn left and begin the ascent.

Hiking poles and boots or shoes with good traction are your friends on this part of the hike.

For the next 1.4 miles you'll be chugging along uphill through the forest. While the scenery at this point isn't anything special for the Pacific Northwest, you'll be rewarded a few times with a view of Lake Crescent or the mountains further south.

‍

‍

End of the Maintained Trail

Once you break out of the tree line and approach the rocky peak, the views really open up.

The trail beyond this point is unmaintained by the National Park Service, so it's a 'proceed at your own risk' situation. This is the moment to truly ask yourself if you feel capable of continuing.

The panoramic views from the very top are what makes this the best hike in Olympic National Park, but there's certainly no shame in turning around and calling it a day if you've reached your limit.

‍

‍

The Rope Section

At the foot of a very steep and rocky scramble, you'll find a climbing rope and a pile of work gloves that have seen much better days.

If you didn't bring your own, it's time to choose a pair with some decent grip and start climbing.

‍

‍

In all honesty, the rope section looks more menacing than it actually is.

Going up isn't terribly difficult, until you get to the very last portion, where the ground is slick dirt. It's harder to get a solid foothold there, so you'll rely more on the rope and your own upper body strength.

Where the ropes really come in handy is on the descent. Just take your time, choosing your foot placement carefully.

‍

‍

Reaching the Top of Mount Storm King

The narrow and jagged spine at the top of the rope section offers up some incredible views, with a dash of adrenaline on the side. If you're a fan of exciting hikes with a little risk involved, prepare to be satisfied. Those with a fear of heights, be warned.

Your eye will probably be immediately drawn to the far end of the ridge. That's where the best viewpoint is, looking west along the length of Lake Crescent, with peaks on either side.

If you made it in time for sunset, wait until it just touches the horizon and casts rays of light across the whole landscape.

With your new epic profile pic secured, you can retrace your steps down toward the parking area. Fortunately, Sol Duc is a short drive away. It's one of many soothing hot springs in the PNW, and it's probably exactly what your tired legs will need after this hike.

‍

‍

Getting to Mount Storm King Trail

The Mount Storm King trailhead is found along Lake Crescent, on the northern end of Olympic National Park.

The closest city is Port Angeles, about a 30 minute drive away. Just take US Highway 101 west for 18 miles and navigate to the Storm King Ranger Station or Marymere Falls Trailhead. As with most national parks, cell phone service is limited at best, so be sure to download offline maps before you head out.

Driving from Sea-Tac Airport or the Seattle area will take you about 3 hours. It's only 45 minutes of driving from Forks, the main hub for visiting the western side of the Olympic Peninsula and its many Pacific coast beaches and rainforests.

‍

Things to Know Before You Go

First things first: this isn't the trail for inexperienced hikers or those with mobility issues. It can be highly strenuous, with over 1,000 feet of elevation gained in one mile. The peak, beyond the maintained trail, shouldn't be attempted if you have a severe fear of heights.

The trail can be dangerous, especially on the rocky sections which will be very slick in wet or wintry weather. The ropes section is not maintained by the National Park Service, so if you choose to continue you're doing so at your own risk.

For entry into Olympic National Park you'll need a pass. You can pay $30 for a one day vehicle pass, but the best value if you're spending more than two days in national parks during the year is an annual America the Beautiful pass, which costs $80.

There's no entrance station as you head out to Lake Crescent, so you should secure your pass ahead of time and display it on your dash.

No pets are allowed on the Mount Storm King trail.

Black bears are active throughout the park, including the Lake Crescent area. You don't need to be concerned about safety or carry bear spray, as black bear attacks are incredibly rare, but read up on tips before you go.

As always, remember to practice Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all your trash, stay on the marked trail, and don't be tempted by shortcuts on the switchbacks. That just leads to erosion, unnecessary maintenance work, and it ruins the trail for others.

‍

‍

The Best Time to Hike Mount Storm King

The Olympic Peninsula enjoys fairly mild weather throughout the year, but the rainy season arrives in late fall and continues through the winter. For that reason, it's best to hike Mount Storm King between May and October, when you can typically expect dry conditions and overall nice weather.

Watching the sun dip behind mountain peaks, with the sky glowing orange and the deep blue waters of the lake stretching out in front of us made for one of the most memorable sunset hikes we've ever had. It's truly a 'top of the world' experience to be on Mount Storm King when the sun goes down.

If you feel up to the additional challenge of descending this very steep trail in the pitch black, then we highly recommend going for sunset. You'll absolutely need a quality headlamp, since the dense forest below the peak becomes very dark, very quickly.

As with any popular trail, being flexible in timing your visit will pay dividends. If you can swing a weekday evening you'll encounter fewer people on the trail, which means safer conditions. Avoid crowded times, since the rope section will become a major bottleneck. The narrow rocky peak is also rather small and would become a hazard with a lot of people trying to be in the same place at the same time.

For what it's worth though, we went for sunset on a Saturday in mid-August and were some of the only ones doing the hike.

‍

‍

What to Pack for the Hike

It's always best to bring along the 10 essentials when tackling a serious hike, especially one that puts you in difficult to reach locations like Mount Storm King. Along with all those essentials, here's a list of a few items that'll be necessary:

Gloves | Your two options are: bring along some work gloves to help on the ropes section, or choose a pair from the pile of old, sweaty, discarded ones laying on the ground. You won't regret bringing your own.

Sturdy hiking boots | The terrain on this hike is no joke. Between navigating the narrow rocky peak and coming down steep switchbacks of loose and slippery dirt, you'll definitely want some real hiking boots. Please don't try this trail in regular tennis shoes.

Trekking poles | As former skeptics turned trekking pole advocates, we're here to tell you that they help a ton. Power through the uphill section and then use them to stabilize you from falls on the way back down.

America the Beautiful pass | There's an admission fee to Olympic National Park, but if you plan on spending any time at all in national parks, an annual pass is a no-brainer.

A headlamp | In our opinion, Mount Storm King needs to be experienced at sunset. But, immediately after the light fades, it's going to be pitch black in the forest below. Make sure you have a nice bright headlamp to make it back to the car.

Garmin inReach | We use our satellite communicator to check in on any major hikes and let people know where we'll be. Then we also have the peace of mind that if we get into trouble, help is coming at the push of our SOS button.

‍

‍

‍