First – if you’re expecting museum-quality photos, this set won’t be it! Most of these pictures were taken under duress, also known as Hey Dad, I think it would be great idea if we hike from the top of Hurricane Ridge down to the Ehlwa River Trail! It’s all downhill, how hard could it be?
Right.
When most people think of mountain views of Olympic National Park, they’re thinking of what they’ve seen from Hurricane Ridge.
After spending time with Colette and Mom at the top, Shelby and I hiked down the grueling 6 miles and almost a mile of elevation loss to the Ehlwa River Ranger Station, where they were waiting for us in the Jeep.
One would think that it should be a piece of cake since it’s all downhill, but the constant sidehilling is tough on the ankles and the constant down is tough on the old man knees, even with hiking poles.
Remind me to question great ideas coming from my college kid in the future!
Overlooking Smiles
All smiles at one of the overlooks on the road up to Hurricane Ridge
More Jeeperz
Another Jeep in the mountains shot
The Sound Of Music
Oooooh, the hills are alive, with the sound of music!
Little Girl, Big Mountains
Shelby takes in the views of Olympic National Park from a meadow at the top of the Hurricane Ridge to Ehlwa Trail
Long Way Down
I tried to capture how steeply angled this hill is, but the camera just doesn’t do it. The only flat part is the foot-wide trail that Shelby’s standing on, then it rises steeply on one side and drops right off on the other. One hiking pole is a foot higher than you on one side, the other a foot lower. Hard on the feet!
Starting to Downhill
Now the easy part stops.
Oh, my ankles
Most of the trail is this sort of nonsense. Hard on the ankles, and hard on old geezer knees too.
Angles
This is a crappy shot, but it really shows the constant angle of the mountain.
And The Downhill
If you look waaaaay up there, you can see Shelby trying to make her way down this hillside. I fell on my butt a couple times and slid coming down, thank goodness for quality hiking pants!
River Crossing
I had to capture Shelby doing a "river" crossing.
My Kid Made Me Do It!
My title for this is "my kid made me do it", after 6 miles of hiking on sidehills and brutal drops. It’s not always easier hiking down than up!
Hurricane Ridge Google Earth
Google Earth visual of the Hurricane Ridge to Elwha descent. A mile of elevation in a 6 mile hike.
