Mount Angeles

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

One of the easiest-access summits in the Olympic Mountains ends with a pretty spicy scramble. The views are unbeatable!

This route begins up the Switchback Trail. Climb steeply uphill, switchbacking until you reach the junction with the Hurricane Ridge to Switchback Trail, usually signed. Turn left and proceed south on this narrow trail for about 0.5 mile when you exit the trees and reach a broad saddle. There is a faint trail to your right, which is the Mount Angeles Summit Climbers Trail. Follow this extremely steep trail until it reaches a flat area among some talus and scree.

From this point on, please use best judgement on whether or not to proceed to the summit. The trail will disappear, and there is a risk of rockfall if you proceed into the gullies. You'll want shoes that gain purchase on rock so you don't slip. This is a challenging and dangerous scramble--please don't take it lightly!

Be mindful of people above or below you, and don't be ashamed to turn around at any point. The summit is a wide area that could fit a few people, and it grants incredible views when it isn't in the clouds.

Deer. Wildflowers in mid to late summer.