Tour Overview
8:30 AM: Hurricane Ridge Guided Snowshoe Tour (6-7 Hours)
About the Tour
Hurricane Ridge is the premier snowshoeing destination in Olympic National Park. Olympic Hiking Co. is excited to provide guided snowshoeing tours this winter season on Saturdays from December 21, 2024 - March 29, 2025. We have taken the steps to make this a turnkey experience for you! We will provide snowshoes, trekking poles, roundtrip transportation on a four-wheel-drive shuttle bus, and have picnic lunches available for purchase. Most importantly, the guided tour will be led by one of our experienced Naturalist Hiking Guides, overviewing the fundamentals of snowshoeing, winter hiking, and avalanche awareness.
Pricing
Tour Price: $140 per person
ONP Entrance Fee: $15 per person
(free with National Park Pass)
Picnic Lunch: $20 per lunch (available for purchase)
Includes: Shuttle ticket for roundtrip transportation from Port Angeles
Pricing before taxes & fees
December 21, 2024 - March 29, 2025: Saturdays only
Guests must be Age 12 or older
Tour Gallery
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Tour Summary
Itinerary Summary
Port Angeles provides one of the most unique wintertime experiences within the Pacific Northwest. Imagine a day where you depart from the temperate climate at sea-level in Port Angeles, and within a 1 hour drive, you arrive at a winter wonderland atop Hurricane Ridge, which averages 33 feet of snowfall annually! Atop the Ridge, this expansive winter backcountry is the local playground for skiing, snowboarding, backcountry skiing, and of course our favorite, snowshoeing! How lucky are we to have the glacier-capped Olympic Mountains on one side and ocean views of the Strait of Juan De Fuca and Port Angeles on the other as we trek along Hurricane Hill during our snowshoe tours.
Departing from the Port Angeles Wharf, we will board the four-wheel-drive shuttle bus to the main Hurricane Ridge parking area. Upon arrival, we allocate time for some quick sightseeing, a final restroom break, and we’ll lay out gear for our snowshoe orientation. This “Snowshoe 101” session led by our Olympic Hiking Co. guide is a great introduction (or reminder) for how to properly fit on the snowshoes, the basics of snowshoe trekking, and overall winter recreation safety. Once we are all outfitted and ready to go, our OHC Guide will depart for our 3-6 mile guided trek along the Hurricane Hill Trail. The total distance will be predicated on our group’s pace and weather conditions.
During the trek, our Olympic Hiking Co. guide will make selective stops to discuss avalanche awareness, winter terrain traps, point out the top landmarks, and of course, highlight the best photo opportunities. The Hurricane Hill Trail is great for all skill levels as the first mile provides an approachable introduction to snowshoe trekking with very gradual inclines and declines. After that point, there are great opportunities for snowshoers to practice their skills on more advanced terrain features and steeper slopes with our guide available for quick tips. At the mid-point of our trip, we will allocate time for a picnic lunch before turning back for our return trek to our starting point (out and back route). Overall, our guided trek is incredibly safe for avalanche safety and provides a nice variety of up and down grades, making it enjoyable both directions.
On a clear day, our guided snowshoe hike to Hurricane Hill provides a front-row view of the Bailey Range, Mount Olympus, the Strait of Juan De Fuca, and the stunning snow-covered subalpine terrain. On a snowy day, the guided trek feels like a magical snow-globe experience and provides us some fresh powder for fun challenges and friendly competitions. Just remember, while it may be wet and raining in the lowlands of Seattle, Portland, Pacific Coast, and the Peninsulas, it is likely soft, powdery, snowfall atop Hurricane Ridge.
Itinerary Outline
8:30 AM: Depart from the Port Angeles Wharf
9:30 AM: Estimated arrival to Hurricane Ridge
10:00 AM: Snowshoe orientation, outfitting, and begin guided snowshoe tour
12:00 PM: Snowshoe mid-point and picnic lunch break
2:00 PM: Finish guided snowshoe tour, final photos, and break
2:30 PM: Depart Hurricane Ridge
3:00 PM / 3:30 PM:Return to the Port Angeles Wharf
Itinerary Breakdown
Hiking: Up to 3-6 miles
Sightseeing Time: 4-5 hours
Drive Time: About 2 hours
Group Size: Up to 10 hikers
What’s Included
Snowshoes & Trekking Poles
Certified & Trained Hiking Guide
Snowshoe 101 Orientation
Roundtrip Transportation
Available for Purchase
Picnic Lunch: Customizable deli-made sandwich and trail mix • $20 per lunch
Meet up Location
Port Angeles Wharf 115 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Weather, Cancellations, & Refunds
Safety is our top priority. In the event, inclement weather or poor road conditions present an issue for our group’s safety, we will shorten, delay, or cancel the snowshoe hike.
If the road to Hurricane Ridge does not open, our guided tour will be cancelled and participants have the option to receive a 97% refund or reschedule for a future date.
Be prepared to experience harsher winter conditions atop Hurricane Ridge. High winds, below freezing temperatures, and poor visibility is a normal reality for recreation atop the Olympic Mountains. If roads and weather allow us access, we do our best to operate the snowshoe tour as safely as possible given the conditions. We’re fully prepared for every adventure and encourage you to make a memory, even on a subpar weather day!
Check the views and visibility
Check the weather forecast & conditions
For guests needing to cancel their reservation, a full refund will be provided (less 3% credit card processing) with 24 hours notice or more.
Date not available?
If group tour is sold out
Join our waitlist and we will email you if additional spaces become available.