- The salt air wafts through the forest, rising higher and higher until at last it touches the sky itself on the spiny crest of Mount Olympus. The Olympic Peninsula of Northwest Washington State is one of the most unique mountain zones on earth. What other ecosystem can boast coastal wilderness, temperate rainforest, glaciated mountain peaks and a rain shadow effect that creates massive diversity?
- Mount Angeles (summitpost.org)
Mount Angeles is the highest point between Hurricane Ridge and the Strait of Juan De Fuca in Olympic National Park. It offers incredible views from Canada to Mount Olympus. It is only about 15 miles from the town of Port Angeles and is a very popular climb, both in winter and summer. Summer offers a hike and a scramble to the top while winter offers a nice fairly easy snow climb with a short easy chute at the end to the summit. Because this is so close to the ocean, the mountains tend to dump a lot of moisture with nasty weather. It is after all how Hurricane Ridge got its name. The road to the trailhead is usually plowed through the winter though.
- Mount Olympus (summitpost.org)
Mount Olympus is the highest point of the Olympic Mountains, and as such could be considered the crown jewel of that range. The peak has major significance to mountaineers, both locally and nationally. The mountain is attempted by many summit parties each year, yet the average success rate is considered low largely due to the peak being located in the most precipitous region of Washington, having a long approach, and having a variety of difficult terrain to traverse. Despite these aspects, or perhaps because of them, those who successfully summit Mount Olympus know it is a major accomplishment to be proud of.