Storm King Ranger Station — Local services in Washington

Mount Storm King Trail in Olympic National Park offers stunning views of Crescent Lake from its summit, which sits at an impressive elevation of 2,600 feet. The hike, which takes approximately 4 hours round trip, is definitely worth the effort for the picturesque scenery that awaits at the top.

The trail provides a magnificent vantage point to admire the beauty of Crescent Lake and the surrounding landscapes. The breathtaking views make it a must-do for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, this trail offers a rewarding experience.

In addition to the stunning views, the hike itself is also enjoyable. The trail is well-maintained and offers a good mix of inclines and flat sections, ensuring an engaging and varied hiking experience. The four-hour round trip duration allows ample time to soak in the surroundings and really immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.

It's worth noting that this hike can be quite strenuous, especially for those who are not accustomed to hiking or physical activity. The 2,600-feet elevation gain may prove challenging for some, so it's important to be prepared with appropriate gear, sufficient water, and snacks. Additionally, it's always advisable to check weather conditions and trail conditions before embarking on any hike.

For those concerned about calorie expenditure, this hike provides an excellent opportunity to burn extra energy. One can expect to burn more than 1400 kcal during this four-hour hike, making it a good option for those looking for a fitness challenge.

Overall, Mount Storm King Trail in Olympic National Park offers a beautiful view of Crescent Lake from its summit. The hike is worth the four-hour round trip, offering breathtaking scenery and an opportunity for a decent calorie burn. Be prepared for the physical challenge, and you'll be rewarded with an unforgettable experience in this picturesque...

Lake Crescent is beautiful and tranquil and absolutely should not be missed. Both lodges (on both sides of the lake) offer kayak/boat rentals and the water is so clear how could you resist?

My issues lie with the way this particular location seems to be managed. The ranger station appears to have been closed since December 2017, so there is no one to answer questions regarding... Anything. There are no trail maps in the map holder located at the main trail head. There is a large map of the entire park with brief descriptions about each area, but there is no large map for THIS particular area. We were interested in reaching the viewpoint at Storm King mountain, but there was no information about how far or how difficult the hike might be, and with zero cell service we couldn't exactly look it up. Someone had carved "2.1 M" into the trail head sign, but we quickly learned that was inaccurate after asking other hikers along the way. The trail is steep and definitely not for beginners. We wound up turning back which was incredibly discouraging since we felt like our time could've been better spent had there been specific trail maps, or even distance markers along the hiking trail to show progress.

On top of all this, the park is doing road construction on the way, taking the road down to one lane and holding traffic. This was the day after Memorial Day and there were tourists everywhere. So it was super slow getting into the visitor area at Lake Crescent. When we were ready to leave, we were forced to loop around and get in a line of cars to wait until it was clear for us to exit the area because of said road construction.

Go to Lake Crescent, but be aware you're on your own for any mountaineering you may...

This is a fairly intense hike. About 2.5 miles out, most of which goes uphill. There are some areas from which you can see Lake Crescent from the main trail but to get the full view you have to go up a non-maintained section of trail that even requires climbing up the side of the mountain using ropes that someone has tied there. The view is absolutely breathtaking but if you plan on attempting it make sure you have good hiking shoes with good tread and maybe some gloves so the ropes don't tear up your hands. I am not very experienced with climbing like that so I would call it difficult-expert level to climb that particular section of the trail but maybe I am just out of shape and kind of a baby when it comes to heights...