Heather Park Trail - 11.8 Miles Round-Trip

The Heather Park Trail runs 5.9 miles from Heart O The Hills Trailhead to Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park. This challenging hike climbs 3700' in just 4.1 miles to Heather Park, where it begins a rugged trek around Second Top and the shoulder of Mt Angeles to Klahhane Ridge.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Expect steep snowfields between Heather Park and Klahhane Ridge through early July. An ice ax and crampons may be necessary. Portions of the trail can be difficult to follow, particularly across avalanche chutes and scree slopes. Good map and route finding skills may be required even without snow.

Your effort is rewarded with exceptional views on lengthy sections over treeline, abundant flowers and good wildlife viewing (especially goats, which are frequently seen among the crags).

Once on Klahhane Ridge you'll have the option to continue on an equidistant loop via Lake Angeles back to the trailhead, or split off for the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. This option requires a two-car shuttle, but is a very worthwhile plan:

The Heather Park Trail rises fast on a straight-line path that gains 900' in the first mile (1.0 miles : 2,780'). Steep switchbacks lead past the No Fire sign (1.9 miles : 3,735') as the forest rapidly transitions from lowland to montane to subalpine compositions (3.0 miles : 4,750'). Thick timber gives way to flower-covered slopes with views stretching out to the strait (3.6 miles : 5,175').

Quick switchbacks lead to a cluster of serviceable campsites by a creek (3.7 miles : 5,250'); these small but sheltered sites may be preferable to ones in Heather Park if very windy. The trail gradually moderates into Heather Park, an airy treeline meadow on the shoulder of Second Top (4.1 miles : 5,605'). Travel can be more challenging and less predictable beyond this point.

The trail continues through Heather Park to a crest, then loses definition while diving down an avalanche chute to find a clear path veering left 115' below. Anticipate picking up the trail here, as you don't want to miss it and have to climb back up. 

The trail undulates up the west side of Second Top on steep sections of loose terrain (4.6 miles : 5,570'). Proper gear and self-arrest skills are necessary with snow coverage. Switchbacks tighten past a wide slide area to a saddle between Second Top and Mount Angeles (5.1 miles : 5,838').

Here it drops sharply on switchbacks, following what's little more than a goat track through scree into a basin at the foot of Mount Angeles (5.7 miles : 5,665'). Cross this oft-snow covered basin for one last steep push to Klahhane Ridge (5.9 miles : 5,912').

A sign points left for Lake Angeles, and right for Hurricane Ridge. The Lake Angeles option continues along Klahhane Ridge, drops to Lake Angeles and returns to Heart O The Hills. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is located 3.7 miles from this point (shuttle required).