Name: Hurricane Ridge to Switchback Trail
Rating: 4.3

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This trail presents a more family friendly option to the challenging Switchback Trail. Enjoy more moderate grades across a still-manageable length of trail as you climb the ridgeline.

Trailhead is accessed via Hurricane Ridge road, entry fee required. Hurricane Ridge road is open every day in the summer but only Fri - Sun & Holidays (weather permitting) from 9am - 4pm during the winter season. Hurricane Ridge is snowbound in winter. Avalanche dangers exist, winter navigation skills required.

Description

Compared to the Switchback Trail, this is a more gentle but time-consuming way to approach the spectacular Klahhane Ridge area. (Note: on some maps the Mount Angeles Trail is also called the Klahhane Ridge Trail)

To reach the start of the Mount Angeles Trail, find the entrance to the Cirque Rim Trail at the far eastern end of the parking area. Follow the Cirque Rim Trail briefly until the High Ridge Nature Trail splits off to the right (east). Travel on the High Ridge Nature Trail through the meadow then steeply uphill to the junction of the Sunrise Point Trail and the Mount Angeles Trail.

Take the Mount Angeles Trail downhill and to the right towards a saddle along the spine. Soak in the great views towards the east. Begin a gentle ascent of the open ridge line between scattered trees. After the high point, utilize switchbacks to descend a rocky knob. The grade eases considerably and travel becomes more mellow. A long, undulating section of narrow trail passes through fields of wildflowers and then through more dense forest heading north. At the intersection with the Mount Angeles Summit Climbers Trail, stay right (east) to continue on the Mount Angeles Trail.

Contour below the southern face of Mount Angeles on a pleasant descent through more wildflower covered slopes. After a stream crossing in a steep ravine, the Mount Angeles Trail ends at a T-junction with the Switchback Trail.