We had a fine snowshoe up Hurricane Hill today. Actually, we stopped a little short of the summit, as clouds rising up the north side of the ridge kept the summit in more-or-less constant fog. So, we turned around before the views stopped and the fog clamped. The south side of the ridge remained mostly clear, and Olympus, the Bailey Range, the Needles, and all the other inner Olympic mountains were as clear and beautiful as one could wish. Skiers will still find the Hurricane Hill road passable on snow all the way to slightly beyond the road end. However, at two places (the U curve about half way to Wolf Creek trailhead and at a wind scallop just past that trailhead) lots of pavement and dirt is showing. In a week or so, one or both of those spots may require a short bit of off-snow travel. Beyond the road end, the “summer trail” route appeared to be a combination of bare spots, steep snow ridge-heaps, and sharp snowcovered sidehills, so we took the “winter” ridge route for the first long half mile (over the two ridgeline humps, separated by the “Little River trailhead” gap). Except for the usual first 50 yards of bare dirt, this route was snow covered, and about as skiable as it ever is. There are still some cornices on the north side (all quite avoidable with reasonable care). The remainder of the route up Hurricane Hill was snow covered as far as we went (to about 5600’), and appeared to be snow covered the rest of the way, though we are not certain of this. There were lots of bare spots up high, but all are avoidable (as far as we went). For the enthusiastic skier, Hurricane Hill Bowl was still completely snow covered (and with only a few tracks). The snow is well enough packed on Hurricane Ridge road that snowshoes are probably unnecessary. However, we noticed some impressive postholes left by “walkers” beyond the road end.

Caught the first ferry out of Keystone (7:15) to be in Port Angeles right when the road opened (9:30) and up on the ridge as early as humanly possible this time of year. It was a little past prime photography time, but was nice to be up there before the sun started melting the snow on the trees and turning the powder into slop. Of course since I was starting early, and the road was closed on Friday, I also had the joy of breaking trail wherever I went. Snowshoeing through deep powder was nice, but was also hard work. I actually turned around at one point, but a group a little ways behind me convinced me to keep going as we traded off breaking trail. Turns out they weren't too used to hiking in the snow, and I headed off by myself again a little past the end of the road where I hiked right along the ridge where the snow had been scoured and compacted and walking was easier. This didn't last of course, as I weaved through trees along the ridge. If you're familiar with this area, you'll know where the summer trail goes. Don't try to follow it. Just follow the ridge even though that does require a couple ups and downs (relatively minor) and weaving through trees. Eventually I made it to the top of Hurricane Hill and the view was very nice although low clouds below obscured the cities of Port Angeles and Victoria. The hike back was made much easier by the couple dozen or so people who had made it out at least to the end of the road during the day. I made it back to the parking lot at 3:30 or so, so overall, a great day in the hills. Glad I was able to take advantage of it. Unless, they get a significant amount of snow up there on Monday, looks like there will be a good track for the forseeable future.

The flowers were blooming on the meadow south of the visitor center, the first time I have seen them in bloom in four visits to this area. Still some snow on the north side of the ridge, piled about 4 feet deep in some places.

Drive up to Hurrcane Ridge in the late afternoon. Despite the ridge looking totally clouded in from below - and despite driving through fog on the way to the top - there were momentary pieces of view to be had. There is no snow in the parking lot nor on the paved paths leading to the viewpoint - but beyond that deep snow is piled on the trails.

We took advantage of the beautiful day to drive up to Hurricane Ridge and snowshoe out towards Hurricane Hill. There is still a lot of snow, although some short sections of the ""trail"" (road) are showing patches of pavement. Otherwise it seems many feet deep (the ranger report said 143 inches). The views were glorious, and it was fun snowshoing in such warm weather. Lots of people in the parking lot, but very few beyond it--a few walkers (the snow is quite hard-packed), a couple of other snowshoers--allowing us to enjoy the blissful solitude and beauty. Great day!