Cirque Rim Overlook

Cirque Rim Overlook is a viewpoint on the easy, paved Cirque Rim Nature Trail at Hurricane Ridge. From the eastern trail end, the overlook is about 0.2 mile uphill; keep it as a short scenic stop if you’re already up on the ridge. The full trail is roughly half a mile and reaches Hurricane Ridge Road at both ends, so you can retrace your steps or continue back to the road.

The view opens north over Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On clear days you can pick out Vancouver Island, Victoria, and the British Columbia Coast Range. For a photo, work the curved stone wall into the foreground and leave room for the broad ridges beyond; it gives the view a sense of depth.

The interpretive panels cover the 820-acre Griff Fire, sparked by lightning near Griff Peak in 2003. Steep slopes and falling rocks made a hand-cut fireline unsafe, so crews used sprinklers and helicopter water drops; autumn rain finally extinguished lingering embers. The resulting patchwork of burned meadows, forest, and silver snags shows how this ridge changes after fire. The panel also describes woodpeckers using the drying trees.

The viewpoint is exposed, so bring a warm layer for wind. Stay on pavement or snow to protect the fragile meadows, and give wildlife room. There’s no food along the trail, so bring what you need. Hurricane Ridge is 17 miles south of Port Angeles. In winter, the road has scheduled Friday-through-Sunday and holiday-Monday openings when conditions allow, and vehicles must carry tire chains; check road status before heading up.