Lake Crescent is seen from Mount Storm King on Friday, May 22, 2020. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

Lake Crescent is seen from Mount Storm King on Friday, May 22, 2020. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

Storm King trail among those now open

Olympic National Park allows hiking with proper social distancing

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A bird’s-eye view of Lake Crescent awaits on the craggy flanks of Mount Storm King.

A prominent overlook more than 2,000 feet above the crystal-clear water offers a panoramic perspective of this glacially-carved jewel of the North Olympic Peninsula.

Expect to have some company on this classic Northwest hike as Storm King remains popular with locals and visitors alike.

Alex Atmore of Seattle uses a fixed rope to arrest his descent down the Storm King trail. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

Alex Atmore of Seattle uses a fixed rope to arrest his descent down the Storm King trail. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

After a two-month closure for COVID-19 precautions, Olympic National Park reopened portions of its million-acre wilderness May 15, including the Lake Crescent area.

West End beaches, the Hoh River and Hurricane Ridge remain closed.

At least three dozen hikers practiced social distancing on the Marymere Falls/Storm King trail last Friday afternoon. None were in groups of more than five, and all made room to pass safely.

Public health officials say hiking is appropriate amid the COVID-19 pandemic as long as you abide by physical-distancing restrictions.

A chain leads the way up Mount Storm King. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

A chain leads the way up Mount Storm King. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said he planned to go hiking on Memorial Day weekend, too, so we were in good company.

The steep, unrelenting route up Mount Storm King leaves the Marymere Falls nature trail about a half-mile from the parking lot. No special permits are required to park. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.

The Storm King trail is covered by old growth canopy until you gain a ridgeline — and the first views of Lake Crescent — at about 2,000 feet of elevation.

At 2,400 feet, you’ll see a sign bolted to a tree that says “End of maintained trail.”

You could turn around here, but you’d miss all the fun.

A series of fixed ropes helps hikers keep their footing on a final ascent to a 2,675-foot crag of bedrock that juts out over the ridge.

The basalt outcrop is an ideal picnic spot and generally considered to be the top of the Storm King trail.

Higher up, the ridge traverse becomes a somewhat sketchy rock scramble with more fixed ropes and a heavy chain. The true summit of Mount Storm King sits further to the east at 4,538 feet.

Lake Crescent as seen from Mount Storm King on Friday, May 22, 2020. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

Lake Crescent as seen from Mount Storm King on Friday, May 22, 2020. (Rob Ollikainen/Peninsula Daily News)

According to geologists, parts of Mount Storm King’s north face broke free in a series of landslides about 8,000 years ago.

The landslides, which originated from both sides of the valley, separated Lake Crescent from Lake Sutherland, causing the former to rise about 80 feet and moving its outflow to the Lyre River, Pacific Northwest geologist Marli Miller said in the “Roadside Geology of Washington, Second Edition.”

An Indian legend tells a similar story of the creation of Lake Crescent.

“There was much fighting between the Klallam and Quileute tribes along a small river that flowed through the present site of Lake Crescent,” according to the legend as told in an Olympic National Park brochure.

“The disagreements escalated into a great battle that lasted three days.

“The mountain spirit of the area became very upset at the foolish fighting. He hurled a gigantic boulder down at them, killing all of the warriors.

“The boulder was so big that it dammed the river and the water backed up, forming Lake Crescent.

“For many years, tribal members did not visit the area where their relatives were killed.”

Mount Storm King

■ Elevation gain: 2,075 feet.

■ Top elevation: 2,675 feet at overlook.

■ Round trip distance: 5.5 miles.

■ Directions: From U.S. Highway 101 at Lake Crescent, follow signs to Storm King Ranger Station/Marymere Falls trailhead.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in Life

The Hanshaw family is struggling under the weight of emotional and financial stressors brought by the recent diagnoses by doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital that have finally answered the question of why Ember, center, has always been frail. Shown with Ember are her parents, Jennifer and Tim Hanshaw, and 9-year-old sister Lena, who shares a hereditary condition with her father and sister. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim fifth-grader fights rare cluster of life-threatening diagnoses

Conditions affect one in more than 100 million, doctors say

A GROWING CONCERN: Yard chores to prepare for the summer time

NOW THAT MAY and late spring is upon us, how about a… Continue reading

M.E. Bartholomew
Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship plans service

M.E. Bartholomew will present “Finding Your Pathway to Calm”… Continue reading

Rev. Asha Burson-Johnson
Unity in the Olympics service slated

The Rev. Asha Burson-Johnson will present “Mercy Triumphs!” at… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “The Spiritual Power… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Invest in people, not things

MY OLDEST DAUGHTER was recently married. I was reminded of the movie,… Continue reading

A group of people play American Mahjong at the Harmony Center of Sequim in the activities room, which is large and well-lit, with Wi-Fi, a 70-inch television, folding tables and chairs. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Harmony Center cultivates peace through connection

Nonprofit offers free activity space in Sequim

A GROWING CONCERN: Fall for these summer foliage plants

IN KEEPING WITH the other week’s article, let us add to our… Continue reading

Kimi Robertson
Freedom Farm Hoof Beats member Lily Robertson and her horse Queen of Hearts (Ruby) showed excellent style and form, placing first in the 95-meter jumper class at the Bainbridge Saddle Club’s first Hunter/Jumper Show of the season.
HORSEPLAY: Spring is the perfect time to go horse riding

SPRING IS IN the air, everywhere I look around. Spring is in… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Meeting God where we are

SOME YEARS AGO, I worked with a deacon who used the phrase… Continue reading

Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

Rhonda Hull will present a Mother’s Day message at… Continue reading

Jamal Rahman
Rahman scheduled for OUUF program

The Imam Jamal Rahman will present “Honoring and Embracing… Continue reading