profile

Minerva & Sam

Exploring the Olympic Mountains – PNW Series, Pt. 3

Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Hey there Reader,

Welcome back for Part 3 of our Last Summer in the PNW series!

In Part 2, we wandered through mossy rainforests, stood at the edge of the U.S., and walked along rugged coastlines. This time, we’re heading up — way up — into the Olympic Mountains for what turned out to be the most breathtaking views of the trip.

Hurricane Ridge: Sunset Over the Olympics

Just an hour’s drive from Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge feels completely different compared to Olympic’s beaches and forests. At 6,000 feet up, you’ll find snow-capped mountains, wildflowers, and some of the best sunset views in the park.

We spent the day hiking near the ridge, then came back later in the evening to watch the sunset behind Mount Olympus. Easily one of the highlights of our entire trip.

But Hurricane Ridge isn’t the only spot up here worth the drive…

Obstruction Point: Washington’s Scariest Road?

Eight miles of gravel, steep drop-offs, and no guardrails… welcome to Obstruction Point Road. It’s nicknamed Washington’s scariest road, but we thought it was more stunning than scary.

At the end of the road, the Obstruction Point Trailhead opens up to a few a few different trails. We hiked the Grand Valley Trail and, even just a couple miles in, we passed wildflowers, glacial ponds, and saw beautiful views of Mount Olympus. This is a trail that we'd highly recommend.

Next Time: Waterfalls of the Olympic Peninsula

In Part 4 we'll explore two of Olympic's beautiful waterfalls including Sol Duc Falls, one of the most powerful cascades in the park, and the fairytale-like Marymere Falls near Lake Crescent. If you love forest walks and misty falls, this one is for you!

See you on the trail,

Minerva & Sam

​

P.S. Would you brave Obstruction Point Road, or does it sound too sketchy? Hit reply and let us know!

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205

​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Minerva & Sam

With Each Mile

Hi, we’re Minerva & Sam! We’ve road-tripped over 36,500 miles across 37 states and explored 13 incredible National Parks with our two pups, Toby & Lily. Join us for epic hikes, scenic drives, and real travel stories that’ll inspire your next adventure!

Read more from Minerva & Sam
A panoramic collage of Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park. The left panel shows a paved hiking trail with a rustic wooden railing. A person with dark, curly hair, wearing a maroon top and white shorts, stands by the railing, looking into the dense for

Hey there Reader, Welcome back for Part 4, the last in our Last Summer in the PNW series! Last time, we were up in the mountains at Hurricane Ridge watching the sun set behind Mount Olympus (catch up on Part 3 here!). This time, we’re exploring two of Olympic’s most beautiful waterfalls: Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls. Sol Duc Falls: Easy Trail, Beautiful Falls Sol Duc Falls kept popping up as one of the most recommended stops in Olympic. The hike’s short and easy (1.8-mile out-and-back),...

2 days ago • 1 min read
A hiker walks beneath a massive, moss-draped tree arch along a shaded forest trail in the Hall of Mosses. Surrounding vegetation includes vibrant ferns and mosses, with sunlight filtering through the canopy above.

Hey there Reader, Welcome back for Part 2 of our 'Last Summer in the PNW' series! Last time, we shared our adventures to Multnomah Falls and Ruby Beach. This time, we’re heading deeper into the Olympic Peninsula’s mossy rainforests and all the way to the northwesternmost point in the contiguous U.S. Into the Hall of Mosses Olympic National Park is famous for its moss-draped trees, and the Hall of Mosses trail in the Hoh Rainforest is the best place to see it all up close. Just east of Forks,...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read
A dramatic view of the Tree of Life, a windswept Sitka spruce in Washington's Olympic National Park, clinging to eroded cliffs with its roots exposed and suspended in mid-air. A person in a gray poncho stands beneath the tree, pointing toward it, surround

Hey there Reader, Welcome to Last Summer in the PNW, a new series we’re kicking off with this issue! Last summer, we packed up the car, strapped in our furry travel companions, and hit the road for a 7,000-mile adventure across the U.S., from Alabama all the way up to the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States. But this time, we did things a little differently. Instead of hopping between National Parks, we slowed down and gave the Olympic Peninsula the time it deserves. Our...

2 months ago • 2 min read