Conquer the Challenge: Hike Mount Storm King in Olympic National Park, Washington

Tackling the Mount Storm King Trail is considered a significant achievement for those exploring Washington’s great outdoors. No matter if you’re a resident of Washington or a visitor seeking out some of the state’s most thrilling hikes, the Mount Storm King trail ought to be prioritized on your adventure bucket list!

This harrowing journey is not an easy task. Nevertheless, the sweeping vistas overhead make it worthwhile.
Olympic National Park
And Lake Crescent down below is worthwhile.

No matter if it’s your first or fiftieth time embarking on the Mount Storm King hike, you’ll need to be well prepared. In this guide to hiking Mount Storm King – you’ll find directions on how to get there, insider tips, and everything else you can expect from this breathtaking trail.

Hiking Mount Storm King

Distance:

5.3 miles

Difficulty:

Hard

Type:

Out & Back

Elevation Gain:

2,077 feet

Pass:

Pass Required

How to Reach the Mount Storm King Trailhead

The Mount Storm King trailhead starts at the Storm King Ranger Station, situated on the southeastern part of the area.
Lake Crescent
inside Olympic National Park.

The trail is merely a short distance away, just a quick hop, skip, and jump from here.
Port Angeles
(approximately 19 miles) and somewhat farther but still within reach from Seattle (approximately 100 miles).

The starting point of the trail is located at the Storm King Ranger Station off Highway 101 (Olympic Highway).

At marker 228, you’ll make a sharp right onto Lake Crescent Road. You’ll find a spacious car park equipped with restrooms here — this is your final opportunity for facilities before starting your climb up Mount Storm King!

Since the path is situated within Olympic National Park, you’ll need a permit for both parking and hiking.

Nonetheless, you won’t see any tollbooths as you enter the parking area, so ensure that your permit is properly paid for and visible on your car’s dashboard beforehand.

Certain hikers decide not to buy a pass and take their chances, however, be aware that you might face a significant penalty if caught doing this.

RELATED:
15 Top Trails for Hiking Enthusiasts in Olympic National Park, Washington

Hiking Mount Storm King

Beginning of the Hike

You won’t find a distinct trailhead for the Mount Storm King hike near the ranger station, so look out for signs indicating the way.
Marymere Falls
.

Initially, for about half a mile, you’ll trek through a level, lush woodland. However, after that, the ascent begins. Look out for the sign indicating the Mount Storm King trail on your left side; this is when your leg muscles will begin to feel the exertion.

The path remains persistently inclined throughout, featuring numerous zigzags and exposed tree roots. However, the bright side is that you will be enveloped by a lush, thick woodland, offering ample shadow during scorching summer afternoons. Additionally, multiple resting spots are available for catching your wind as you ascend.

After reaching the upper part of the forest (approximately 1.6 miles in), the tree cover begins to diminish, revealing breathtaking glimpses of Lake Crescent beneath. If you’re running low on energy, this serves as an ideal spot to reverse your course since the path becomes increasingly challenging beyond this point.

There are two observation points before reaching the challenging climb and rope sections. First, you’ll have a vantage point partially obscured by trees, followed by another superior viewpoint right before tackling the rocky ascent—ensuring your journey will be rewarding regardless of whether you reach the top or not!

RELATED:
Discovering Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park: Paddle, Trek, and Camp!

Section on Ropes at Mount Storm King

The final part of the Mount Storm King trail is rugged, slick, and rather intimidating, even for the boldest trekkers.

Once you’ve passed the “end of maintained trail” sign (approximately 2.5 miles in), you’ll encounter a heap of gloves along with a substantial rope that will assist you in climbing up towards the peak.

Some people find this segment of the trail to be the most enjoyable, whereas others view it with considerable fear. Regardless, everyone agrees that this portion presents an immense challenge.

The ropes have several segments. Certain areas are rugged with rocks, others consist of sand, and some spots might be slick. The trail features sheer drop-offs alongside it, increasing the challenge for individuals who experience any level of acrophobia.

Admittedly, the ropes do little to boost one’s confidence since some are rather slender, or they might be fastened to a branch that could potentially snap at any moment!

Be cautious when handling this part; spend some time evaluating carefully, and occasionally rush upward swiftly rather than relying on the rope, as we experienced a few instances where doing so was necessary.

Summitting Mount Storm King

Once you’ve conquered the ropes section, the peak is within easy reach. However, you’ll need to tackle a tight rocky crest with sheer drops on each side. After overcoming this challenge, you’ll be treated to breathtaking vistas of both edges of Crescent Lake and the wooded hillside beneath your feet.

Spend some time enjoying the vistas and hearing the choir of birds at the summit. After all, you’ve definitely earned it!

Descending Mount Storm King

It goes without saying that descending via the ropes section is almost as challenging as climbing up. However, it becomes somewhat simpler when you tackle the ropes backwards; ensure you have proper grip with each step. After that, the remainder of your descent should be relatively easy and won’t consume much time at all.

If you arrive early, your main concern will be frequently moving aside due to the large number of people heading in.

Add Marymere Falls

If you find yourself with some additional free time, think about taking a side trip to Marymere Falls. This addition only adds 1.7 miles to your journey and makes for an effortless extension of the Mount Storm King hike. Interestingly enough, you’re already embarked upon the Marymere Falls path from the outset as it shares its beginning section with the Mount Storm King route.

The trail has minimal elevation change, gaining only under 300 feet. Resume your journey from where you stopped to tackle the Mount Storm King trail. After descending the mountain, make a left turn at the appropriate point.

You’ll stroll through typical Olympic Rainforest landscapes, characterized by foggy air, ancient wooden bridges, and vibrant vegetation enveloping the trail. The waterfalls are equally beautiful to admire and much less crowded compared to reaching the peak of Mount Storm King.

READ MORE:
Marymere Falls Trail
in Olympic NP

Suggestions for Tackling the Mount Storm King Trail

Optimal Time for Hiking Mount Storm King

Going hiking on a sunny day is essential. On an overcast day, you might miss out on the spectacular vistas you’ve strived to see. The period from May through October usually offers optimal clarity; however, make sure to review the forecast beforehand when planning your trip.

A lot of individuals initiate their Mount Storm King trek during the later part of the day with the intention of witnessing one of the renowned sunsets from atop. Despite appearing to be a good strategy, the car park frequently reaches capacity by early morning, even on days typically considered less busy.

Starting your hike early in the morning is far more secure. Despite this, you’ll enjoy stunning vistas, and the path won’t be as packed with hikers. Remember that the peak is quite tiny, confined, and genuinely features sheer drops on either side! On hectic days, you could find yourself queuing up before reaching the apex since just a handful of individuals can fit at the top simultaneously. Therefore, exercise caution.

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Items to Pack for the Hike

Water & snacks

– You’ll need to recharge a bit at the summit.
Hiking shoes that offer excellent grip

– We observed individuals trying this in flip-flops, and I want to emphasize that this is a VERY bad idea. Doing the ropes and cliffs in sandals would be quite hazardous!
Hiking poles

– This step is optional and might prove useful. However, once you’re nearing the summit, these items will likely become unusable and cumbersome to haul around, unless you’ve got an appropriate bag to store them comfortably.
Lots of layers

— it can get pretty cold up there!
Headlamp

– If you are hiking either before sunrise or after sunset.

Is There Any Other Place Close to Mount Storm King?

Absolutely! Once you’ve finished hiking at Mount Storm King and still have time left for more adventure, stick around because there’s additional terrain to explore! By now, the parking area should be quite crowded, so consider leaving your vehicle where it is.

If your legs can handle it, this extremely simple yet thoroughly rewarding activity awaits.
Moments in Time trail
It’s another fantastic inclusion. No worries, it’s super simple and compact, so consider it a gentle stretch and cooldown for your weary legs.

Stroll through the lush pathway that will bring you directly to the lakeside. As you go, you’ll come across some highly informative postings about the region, the lake itself, and its past.

The path will take you to the nearby lodge that has paddleboard rentals so you can even out your exercise for the day and give your arms a chance!

If you happen to bring your own equipment, you can easily toss it into the lake just a short distance from the Mount Storm King parking area since there’s a boat launching spot conveniently located there.

If you’re sticking close by, make sure to explore some more.
activities to enjoy at Olympic National Park
and more
hikes at Lake Crescent
.

More of our guides to Olympic National Park include:

Activities to Enjoy at Olympic National Park
: 35 Must-Do Activities!
Where to Lodge Within Olympic National Park
9 Incredible
Olympic National Park Beaches
to Explore
Kalaloch Beach
In Olympic National Park: Essential Information
7
Waterfalls within Olympic National Park
6 BEST
Lake Crescent Hikes
Marymere Falls Trail
Exploring
Lake Crescent
Your Guide to
Hurricane Ridge Trails
Your Guide to
La Push Beaches
Hiking
Rialto Beach to The Gap
15 Best
Treks in Olympic National Park
Hiking Mount Storm King
16 AWESOME
Activities to Enjoy in Forks
21 BEST
Activities to Enjoy in Port Angeles

We hope this article assisted you in learning more about the Mount Storm King Hike! Be sure to explore some of our other excellent recommendations as well.
hikes in Washington
.