Hike to a former World War II lookout
Overview
Pyramid Peak is a great moderate 7 mile roundtrip day-hike to enjoy mountaintop views overlooking Lake Crescent. Compared to Mount Storm King, which is a much steeper, more challenging switchback trail with an exposed rope section, Pyramid Peak provides a longer and more gradual trail to the summit. This hike includes a 100-yard exposed landslide section, with a narrow trail passing laterally across the slope. Loose soil, frequent slides, and a long drop can make this area a challenge, so good footwear and trekking poles are recommended. The hike is primarily under tree cover, until the very final approach to the World War II aircraft advisory lookout cabin.
Quick Facts
Trail: 3.5 miles one-way, 2,400 foot gain
Mileage: 7 miles roundtrip
Highest Point: 3,089 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Region: Lake Crescent
Location: 45 Minute Drive from Port Angeles
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Summary
The 3.5 mile Pyramid Peak trail (7 miles roundtrip) leads you to one of the better mountain views of Lake Crescent, Lake Sutherland, and the Strait of Juan De Fuca on a clear day. The trailhead is accessed via Camp David Jr. Road off of Highway 101, which provides access to the less-busy Northern shores of Lake Crescent. Parking and vault toilet is available in the North Shore Picnic Area, which is about 3.2 miles from the highway turnoff. The trail is located directly on the Spruce Railroad Trail, which is part of the Peninsula's Olympic Discovery Trail. Although dogs are allowed on the Spruce Railroad Trail, dogs are not allowed on the Pyramid Peak trail as it is just within the northern Olympic National Park boundary.
As the trail begins, you'll hike through beautiful forestry with brief glimpses of Lake Crescent. After navigating a few creek drainages, at the 1.7 mile mark you will reach an exposed landslide area, which is about the length of a football field. In this section, the trail can be only 1-2 feet wide, thus it is important to stay within your comfort zone and level of expertise. After proceeding with caution and completing the crossing, you will enjoy the best viewpoint of Lake Crescent thus far. After the the landslide, the trail grade steepens and the switchbacks begin. Around the 2.5 mile mark, you'll reach the ridge crest, which offers pocket views of the Straits of Juan De Fuca and Lake Crescent along the way. Continue hiking the forested ridgeline (heading East) and just before the Pyramid Mountain aircraft advisory cabin, enjoy your best uninterrupted viewpoint overlooking the western end of Lake Crescent. Proceed a bit further to the Pyramid Peak lookout cabin, which provides an eastern view toward Lake Sutherland and a bit more forested views downward toward the Lake Crescent Lodge.
