Elk Mountain Loop up at Observation Point might be my favorite hike of the summer on the Olympic Peninsula. This is doable from Port Angeles as a day trip or you could add on and make it a longer backpacking trip.
First you have to get to the trailhead. This entails driving up Hurricane Ridge and then out the 8 mile single lane winding dirt road to Obstruction Point. There are plenty of pullouts in case you meet an oncoming car, but it is a slow careful drive.
We opted to hike this loop counter clockwise because the downhill looked longer that way and would be easier on our knees. This means that after a short flat section to get around the ridge, we started with a series of steep downhill switchbacks into Badger Valley (If you look closely you can seem them in several of the pics below). After hiking along the valley floor for about a mile, we turned left and headed uphill. This trail is more feint and incredibly steep in places. I was happy to not be going down it. Up at the top of the ridge we were able to see seemingly everything. This hike has amazing views of Mount Olympus, and Moose Lake and Grand Lake across the valley.
From here we turned left and completed the loop. This section is less interesting hiking, but has brilliant views as you descend back to the start. I definitely think we made the correct choice in hiking counter-clockwise.
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