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I can’t tell you the number of times we considered backing out of the Mount Storm King hike. Jay had seen some pictures of the view from the top and wanted to experience that view for himself.
At first, we were just throwing around hiking Storm King as if it would be easy. And then, after a couple of people had said how difficult it was, we then figured we should actually look into the hike.
That said, always actually research a hike before you do it.. haha. I’m so glad we did!
Looking into the actual Mount Storm King hike on a couple of trail guides, we quickly learned the hike was completely uphill, and even had a steep rope/rock scramble.
Hello, a bit more than just a hike!
Trail guide after trail guide, we learned that hiking Storm King wasn’t for the faint at heart or those weak in the knees. The distance of only 2.2 miles one way plays tricks on you, thinking it’s not that far. But when you learn the hike is 2.2 miles one way with 2,000 feet of elevation gain, you recant your thoughts of it being easy real quick!
2,000 feet of elevation gain in 2 miles means 1,000 feet of elevation per mile. That’s legitimately straight uphill. And yes, that’s what it truly ended up being. Nothing but switchbacks, straight uphill, with zero flat parts, the entire way up!
But holy smokes was it worth it!! The views at the top were absolutely amazing. The switchbacks through the forest on the way up and back down provided great, peaceful hiking too. And the roped-off scramble section was fun!
Hiking back down our legs were beat. Declining 1,000 feet per mile downhill led us to basically run the entire way back .. as this ended up being easier than trying to stop the forward motion of our bodies.
We ended the hike with a little shake-out walk along the Marymere Falls trail once we got back to the Storm King trail split, and were super glad we ended with that section instead of starting with it, as the forest was getting super dark!
Common Mount Storm King Hike Questions
How long is the Mount Storm King Trail?
The trail is 2.2 miles one way, so 4.4 miles round trip. It usually takes people about four hours, however, it was closer to six hours for us from start to finish.
How hard is Mount Storm King?
The Mount Storm King hike is a very strenuous hike. It seems short, at less than 5 miles round trip. However, it’s all uphill on the way there, and all downhill on the return. There is absolutely zero flat areas of Mount Storm King. In 2.2 miles, you climb over 2,000 feet in elevation.
The second hard part is the rope section.. This is a complete rock scramble with a cliff on both sides.
How high is Mount Storm King?
The actual Mount Storm King peak sits at 4,534 feet. However, the “Mount Storm King Hike” is really not to the top of Mount Storm King, only to 2,100 feet in.
Is Mount Storm King safe?
Simply put.. no. The beginning of the hike is safe. It’s strenuous and uneven with roots and rocks to climb. The end of the hike, to the viewpoint over Lake Crescent is not safe at all. You use a rope to get up the mountain, with cliffs on both sides.. and then there isn’t a rope at all for the final ascent. Leaving you scrambling over rocks with no protection.
Where is the Mount Storm King hike?
The Mount Storm King hike starts from the Storm King Ranger Station along US Highway 101 in Olympic National Park.
How to get to Mount Storm King?
To get to the Mount Storm King Trailhead, you can fly into Seattle, and ferry across to the Olympic Peninsula. Going through Port Angeles, you’ll stay on US Highway 101, and it will lead you right to the Storm King Ranger Station.
Planning on Hiking Mount Storm King? | Read These Warnings
If you plan on hiking Mount Storm King, there are certainly some things you should know before taking on the challenge.
There were quite a few people that we saw, that actually didn’t complete the hike. Which honestly, is great. I’d rather see people stop where they get uncomfortable than try and press on and get injured or worse.
Uphill Is Uphill | Downhill is Downhill
I’m not exaggerating when I say the entire way up to the Storm King Viewpoint is uphill. There was not a single time where the trail leveled out and was even flat. You’ll be hiking uphill the whole way there.
That’s 2,000+ feet of elevation gain (uphill hiking) for over two miles!
Likewise, when you return, downhill it is… the entire way back. In fact, the downhill is almost more challenging because you have to stop yourself from falling forward and stop your feet from giving out beneath you. It’s super easy to slip on the soft dirt and gravel bits!
Afraid of Heights? | This May Not Be For You
While you can certainly hike some of Storm King even if you’re afraid of heights, you really won’t get to any viewpoints without facing a cliff, sometimes on both sides. Up until the end of the trail, you’ll be totally fine, as there aren’t really lookouts or anything to see how high you actually are.
However, towards the end, you’ll soon realize you’re getting close to 2,000 feet from where you started. And yes, it is straight down.
Mount Storm King Ropes | It’s NOT Maintained + Is Slick
The famous Mount Storm King rope section is gnarly. So much so that there’s actually a sign before it informing hikers that the rest of the trail is not maintained by the national park service. In my opinion, this is because they do not want to be responsible for people falling off the ledge.
The rocks and loose gravel are dangerous for losing your footing, however, are also dangerous while waiting for others to complete a rope section. The rocks come barreling downhill when people misstep, causing major danger to those waiting at the bottom as well as to their belongings.
Know that it’s okay to stop before this section. It gets worse than the first rope section, and the end of the hike has no ropes to the viewpoint of Lake Crescent. So, if the first section with ropes scares you, no need to continue on.
And again, that’s okay!! Don’t risk your life if you’re uncomfortable! It’s not worth it!
Services On The Trail | Non-Existent
Bathrooms, water, trail markers.. none of them are on the trail. While the majority of the trail is very easy to follow, it’s a good idea to bring a map, or have a map on your phone (make sure your phone is charged!).
As far as bathrooms go, be sure to use the bathroom in the parking lot at the Storm King Ranger Station. Obviously, you may need to use the bathroom while hiking Storm King too. And that’s fine. Just make sure you do so responsibly, and pack out your toilet paper.
Not sure how to use the bathroom responsibly outdoors? We got you covered! Read this post here!
Water and food.. there is nowhere to filter water, so you’ll need to bring more than you think you need on the hike. Again, it’s a hard hike, and you don’t want to run out of water. Likewise, even if you just had a meal, always pack snacks. You may need the extra energy with how hard the hike is!
It’s Called Mount Storm King For A Reason | Be Prepared
The number of people we saw hiking without even a backpack or a sweater was astonishing. Do not be those people. If you got lost, if the weather changes, or shoot, if you injured yourself and had to wait for help… you need to have provisions on you, and layers!
It’s called Mount STORM King after all. You can head up on a beautiful, sunny day, and then be greeted with rain or even snow. Pack layers, food, and water just in case the worst happens!
Getting to the Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is where Olympic National Park is. It can be a bit awkward to get to, especially since the national park has no roads actually through it. You’ll basically be taking a road trip on US Highway 101 in Washington to explore Olympic National Park.
You’ll want to fly into Seattle or Portland (Seattle is closer distance-wise but awkward with ferries), and then rent a car to drive around the Peninsula.
If you’re taking ferries, be sure to book them in advance, so you don’t have to wait in standby for sometimes multiple ferry crossings as we did. Keep in mind, opting out of ferries means taking toll roads out of Seattle to Olympic National Park!
To avoid all this, you can simply fly into Portland, head to Aberdeen, Washington, and then continue up the loop of Olympic National Park.
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Simple Trail Courtesy For Mount Storm King Hike
The number of people that were just plain rude on the trail was almost as baffling as the number of people who weren’t prepared for the hike.
Passing Places
Some sections of the trail are not wide enough for people to pass on. In those cases, do not make the trail wider by stepping on the plants nearby. Instead, stop at a wide section and allow people to pass you.
And just so we’re clear, people going uphill have the right of way. Be sure to stop and let them pass if you’re coming down… and stop in a place that others don’t have to shimmy on by.
Passing Slow Hikers
Some people (hello, us) are slow hikers. If you plan to pass them, don’t push them off the trail. And don’t try and just sneak around them… especially when they’re stopped to let people pass who are coming downhill.
All you have to do is ask if you can get around them. A few simple words go a long way!
Be Kind, Say Hi
Holy smokes!!!!! Hello. Hi. How’s it going?! A smile. A wave. A nod… Anything.. just say hello!! If you’re passing people or people are passing you, it’s just nice to acknowledge there’s an actual human being right in front of your face!
Don’t Pee On The Trail
I can’t believe I’m actually writing this. But seriously, don’t pee ON THE TRAIL! It’s for people to walk on.. not for them to slosh through your pee on!! Just go off the trail. And remember, pee floats downhill.. So if you go right on the edge of the trail, it’s going to float right to the trail and then down the trail… take a couple steps off the trail (trying not to ruin the vegetation) and go there.
Pack Out Your Trash!!!!
I will never understand how people go into something like a hike to Storm King.. something where the intent is to enjoy nature.. and then they just leave their trash there. Bring a snack, great.. pack out the trash when you’re done eating it.
Likewise, pack out your mother trucking toilet paper too. You carried it in with you, fold up the used TP in clean TP and pack it the heck out too.
Don’t Feed The Wildlife
At the top of Storm King, we came across a couple of chipmunks and mice looking for some snacks. They really should have been afraid of humans, not willing to just walk right up to us. Their fear is gone from people feeding them. Do not feed the wildlife. It’s not safe for them and it’s not safe for humans either!
What To Pack For Mount Storm King Hike in Olympic National Park
As we suggested above, you should not hike Storm King without packing a few things. Will you be guaranteed to use all of them? No. However, if you need them and don’t have them, that’s when you get into mountain trouble.
A Camelbak Style Waterpack + Backpack
Typically, we hike with our Nalgenes and pack a water filter for if we run out of water. However, on Storm King, there is no supply of water. So you need to pack enough, and really more than enough than you think you’ll need.
Bringing a backpack with a Camelbak built in helps you to not only drink more water, but it’s also easier to carry the water too. And, you’ll be super thankful for the backpack once you get to the rope section and need both hands to get up and down the end of the trail.
Snacks
Granola bars, energy bars, fruit, jerky, or even some Snickers are good things to throw in your backpack. The hike takes a lot out of even experienced hikers, so having something to refuel your body is a must.
And it’s always nice to have some food just in case you want to stay longer at the top, or if the worst happens and you get stuck or lost. We like to throw in a can of tuna with crackers and avocado or cheese when we hike. We often don’t eat it, but it’s always nice to have, just in case we really need the extra energy.
Flashlight
It’s amazing how dark the forest gets, even before sunset. It’s also crazy how dark it gets when clouds come and cover the sun. Having a flashlight, especially if planning to watch the sunset at the top, is a must. With roots, large rocks, and loose gravel, it’s easy to trip, especially in the dark! Check out this rechargeable headlamp to free up your hands too!
Trail Shoes
I (Heather) wore regular running shoes, however, the whole time I was wishing I had something a bit more grippy. Jay wore trail running shoes and was super happy with them. They’re more grippy than regular shoes, are super comfortable, and are waterproof!
Extra Layers
Layers are a must when doing any hike. You’re not being a responsible hiker if you don’t bring layers to wear if you get cold. We like to pack our rain jackets for if it becomes too windy or starts to rain, and then down jackets, a Merino Wool long sleeve, and Kuhl pants to throw on if it gets really cold.
Read More | Our Basic Packing Guide — It’s All About The Layers!
Hiking Camera Gear
You’ll quickly notice all our camera gear is PeakDesign. We shoot with a Canon R5 and love the camera. The PeakDesign gear we recommend is compatible with all cameras though. So no worries if you’re shooting with something else!
Camera Tripod
Our tripod of choice is the PeakDesign travel tripod. It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to fit in a backpack. We also love that there’s a built-in phone attachment to set your phone up on the tripod as well. This tripod is an investment, but it’s a good one.
Camera Backpack Clip
Oh my goodness. What a game-changer in the world of hiking with a camera! This clip attaches to the strap of your backpack, and with one easy-release button, you can release your camera to get the shot before easily clipping it back to your pack.
It’s probably our most used piece of camera equipment when hiking.
The Clutch
This camera strap is just for going around your hand. It comes in clutch, get it!?, when shooting in iffy places. It also just gives that extra piece of mind that you won’t drop your camera when shooting. The clutch is low profile and an essential in our book for the protection of your camera!
More On The Olympic Peninsula + Olympic National Park
Free Camping in the Olympic National Forest
Quinault Rainforest | it’s better than the Hoh Rainforest in our opinion
13 Hikes in Olympic National Park
A Life Changing Experience at Rialto Beach
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