Cirque Rim Trail

Cirque Rim is a half-mile paved point-to-point trail on Hurricane Ridge, from the eastern trailhead by the visitor center parking area to Cirque Rim Overlook. It crosses open, high-country slopes between scattered conifers before opening toward Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On clear days, Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands come into view too. It is a good way to get a big outlook without committing to a long hike; the path is short, but it is not flat. Allow about half an hour for the walk and time at the overlook, then add your return to the vehicle.

Start at the east end of the parking area and climb, passing junctions for Sunrise Viewpoint and High Ridge. At the Y about 0.1 mile in, take the left branch toward Cirque Rim Overlook, roughly 0.2 mile from the start. The named trail continues to a junction back to Hurricane Ridge Road. Its two road termini are about a quarter mile apart, so use the parking-area sidewalk to reach your car or retrace the trail. The 0.5-mile figure is one way along Cirque Rim; the return adds distance. Big Meadow and High Ridge are connected options, but they make a longer walk.

The path is paved and about four feet wide, but some short pitches reach 12–20% grade. The park describes wheelchair use as possible with assistance. The trail is classed as easy, though the climb will feel sharper than the distance suggests.

Winds at Hurricane Ridge can gust above 75 mph, and the ridge receives roughly 30–35 feet of snow each year, often lingering into summer. That snow helps keep these high meadows open. Hurricane Ridge Road has a seasonal winter schedule, depends on weather, and requires chains when open; check the current road status before driving up. Pets and bicycles are not allowed on trails here.