Ultimate Guide To Mount Storm King Trail - Olympic Park Washington
Mount Storm King Trail
Level: Intermediate/Hard
Length: 5.3 miles
Elevation gain: 2,076 ft
Route type: Out & Back
Best time to visit: May to October
Dogs allowed: No
For trail conditions, check out: nps.gov
Olympic National Park
Fees:
$30 per vehicle
$25 per motorcycle
Annual Pass:
$55 Olympic National Park annual pass
$80 National Parks annual pass
Get tickets in advance here
When searching for the most scenic trails to hike in Washington, Mount Storm King was one of the most recommended. And for a good reason, the view at the top overlooking Lake Crescent is simply jaw-dropping. But with the same enthusiasm that many people recommended it were the remarks on how challenging this hike can be. After all, it’s 2000 plus elevation gain within 2 miles – in beginner’s terms, very steep. But it’s doable and not impossible even for beginners. And for the view at the top, completely worth it!
Where’s Mount Storm King Trail
Mt. Storm King is located in Olympic National Park on the Washington peninsula. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Seattle and about half an hour drive from Port Angeles – where we stayed.
Mount Storm King What To Expect
The trail begins at the Storm King Ranger station – located next to the parking lot. Follow the sign to Marymere Falls Nature Trail - as they share the same trailhead - and after a 10-minute walk, you will see Mount Storm King Trail sign on the left. This portion can be very deceiving as it’s pretty much flat. But once you reach the fork, it’s a steady incline from there. The trail is a bit narrow with a few switchbacks. Once you reach the end of maintained trail, it gets a bit rocky and slippery. It’s also pretty open with barely any trees so you are exposed to the sun - make sure to wear sunscreen!
We arrived around 10 am, and the weather was perfect – sunny, cool, and clear. We were surprised to see only a handful of cars in the parking lot since we were warned that it could get hectic and to arrive early in the morning – and not at 10 am like we did. We began our hike excited and ready for the challenge – oh, and challenged I was. The trail showed me how out of shape I am, despite my once-a-week yoga class. I had to stop several times to catch my breath, but it never crossed my mind to give up. My friends, on the other hand, were doing a lot better than I was. I guess running and hiking several times a week help.
Mount Storm King Rope
We reached the famous rope section of the trail - the biggest concern for most people when researching Mount Storm King. But I can tell you, it wasn't nearly as bad. If you can make it to the rope section, chances are, you can make it through it too. There are a total of 6 ropes that you have to use to climb up. Although it's a bit sketchy – especially if you are not wearing the right shoes - this section was fun and different. I found the first rope to be the easiest, as it's very rocky and easy to find a good grip. The others were a little more tricky as it was slippery because of all the small rocks. If you are afraid of heights, climbing to the top may be a bit of a challenge. But if you make it to the top, you will be rewarded with the stunning view of Lake Crescent. Not only it's worth it, but you also get major bragging rights.
Thanks to my favorite hiking boots, I had no problem going up and down. But my friends struggled a bit as their shoes weren’t as grippy. I also saw another hiker with regular sneakers, and she couldn’t make it past the first rope. The lesson here is to wear proper shoes.
Tip: If you have a pair of gym gloves with grip, BRING THEM! My friend got rope burn, but I imagine many people do as well.
If you decide not to go all the way up, that’s ok too! You can still enjoy the lower viewpoint of the lake, which is still very beautiful.
Once we reached the top of Mount Storm King, we were all in awe. The view exceeded our expectations, and having it all to ourselves was a big plus. We set up a little picnic area to refuel and take in the vista. We noticed a few visitors ready to swoops by to pick up any crumbs we left behind as we ate. The birds at the top of Mount Storm King are used to humans, and they are not afraid to fly to your hand if you extend it.
Tip: It can get windy and chilly at the top in the fall, so make sure to bring a windbreaker or a lightweight down jacket.
If you would like to see the trail and the rope section videos, check out my Instagram and click/tap on the WA highlight.
Mount Storm King Descent
Descending is usually the easiest part of a hike, but not so much here. Descending using the rope, facing up, and finding a good grip on the ground was a different challenge. I recommend taking your time. But again, nothing you can’t do if you have already made it to the top!
We saw a big group of people waiting in line to go up the rope section on our way down. Since we were coming down, they had to wait for all of us to come down first. If you visit during high season, the wait can be long as only one person can use the rope at a time, and the peak is too narrow to have that many people hanging around. I highly recommend arriving early – we got lucky it wasn’t busy when we arrived.
How Long Does It Take to Hike Mount Storm King?
Mt Storm King trail takes about three hours to finish, two and a half if you are in good shape. Us on the other hand, with the constant stop to photograph – and to catch my breath - took us four hours to hike up and down, including the time spent at the top. If you are a meticulous planner, I would say allocate at least four hours here to take in the view and maybe a little extra to check out the waterfall and Lake Crescent.
Mount Storm King Parking
The parking lot at Mt. Storm King is located by the ranger station. It’s a pretty decent size compared to other trailheads. But it’s a very popular trail so make sure to arrive early, especially in the summer. We got very lucky when we arrived at 10 am and still found plenty of parking. From all the research I did, I expected it to be full.
Finding Mount Storm King parking lot was easy – click here to get the exact location on Google Maps.
Parking and entrance fees:
While researching, I found a few sites that say there isn’t any fee, but this is incorrect. Mt. Storm King trail is located in Olympic National Park, and the park has an entrance fee. Since you won’t pass any booth, you have to get the ticket in advance, print it, and display it in the car. I highly recommend, if you are planning on visiting more than three national parks in a year, to get the NP Annual Pass. If you have the annual pass, display the pass so it is visible through the windshield.
Where to stay near Mount Storm King
If you are not camping, I highly recommend staying somewhere close. Port Angeles, where we stayed, is the closest town to Mt. Storm King. It's only a 30- minute drive on US 101 and the most popular entry point to the park. Check out this lodging you might want to consider if you want to jump into this adventure. Bonus: as we were getting ready in the morning, we saw two deer on the patio! It was the most wildlife I saw on my two-week road trip.
For more recommendations on nearby Airbnbs, check out my post Best Airbnb Near Olympic National Park.
What To Pack For Mount Storm King Trail
The trail is relatively short, so you don’t need to pack much on this hike. But I do recommend packing a windbreaker (in the summer) or a light puffer (in the fall), snacks, and enough water. Also, make sure to bring a backpack to carry everything. I have seen many people hiking holding their water bottle, you won’t be able to do that on this trail if you plan to clim up the rope section.
Here is a list of my essentials for this hike:
Best Time to Visit Mt. Storm King
The best time to visit Storm King Trail is May - October, but it can get very busy in the summer. I highly recommend going in the fall as there are fewer people and the weather is nice and cool. We went in October, and it was perfect. There was barely anyone, which means no problem finding parking, fewer people on the trail, and we had the top to ourselves for a good 20 minutes. We didn’t have to wait long to climb up the rope section – as you have to wait in line.
Before You Head to Mount Storm King Trail
Make sure to check the trail conditions before going. Climbing in bad weather conditions can be super sketchy here. I wouldn’t recommend going past the end of the maintained trail if it’s raining – especially if you are a beginner hiker.
In addition to checking trail conditions, I highly recommend using All Trail apps to help you plan ahead. I love using All Trails as you can search for the best places to hike – anywhere in the world - keep track of your favorite trails, download maps, read reviews, and find inspiration.
Once you finish the hike, make sure to check out Lake Crescent. It’s beautiful up close too! If you have extra time, don’t miss Marymere Falls.
Are you ready for a challenge? Let me know if you are planning to hike Mt. Storm King!
