Obstruction Peak

[Jerry]

Has anybody driven the road from Hurricane Ridge to Obstruction Peak? That would be a fun little jaunt if we ever find ourselves in the Port Angeles area.
Jerry

[Steve]

I've been eyeing that route but have never had the time to explore it when in the area.

Steve

[Jerry]

Mark your calendars! A tour to Obstruction Peak is on the Backroad Drivers Northwest calendar for August 2, 2008. To mimic my friend Ceg at the Eastern Washington Off Road Forum, it's ONLY 93 MORE DAYS!

I never have driven all the way to Obstruction Peak, but a few years ago I dropped down from the Hurricane Ridge parking lot onto the road to Obstruction Peak. I looked off to the distance and saw a narrow one-lane road running the length of a barren knife ridge and no room to pass oncoming vehicles. After squinting my eyes for any oncoming traffic I started across the ridge.

The elevation must have been about 5000 feet and fluffy white clouds were drifting across the top of the ridge at a pretty good clip. It was a real eerie feeling with those clouds passing in front of me and no ground on either side to keep my bearings; sort of like the feeling of loosing your balance. In a word, eerie.

I reached a wide spot at the end of the ridge where I found some folks hiking on the rocks and their VW bus parked nearby. I don't recall the reason I turned around at that point, it probably had something to do with time - it usually does. Anyway, I never made it all seven miles to Obstruction Peak and I am looking forward to going back.
Jerry

[lgrt]

A few years ago I did the drive, in a Passat with ground clearance of zero :-). There are a lot of turnouts and they keep the road in good shape. When you get to end parking is limited and tight.

It is a nice drive and there is frog lake along the way if you want a short hike. A climb up obstruction peak is easy enough and worth the effort, I've taken my kids 7 & 9. There is no trail you just scramble. The hiking trail from there connects with Deer Park which is also a nice drive. A lot of groups split up and pass the keys half way on the hike allowing both groups to enjoy both drives, and a hike (7 something miles) that takes you along the ridge with incredible views of the sound.

Hope it helps.

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by lgrt

A few years ago I did the drive, in a Passat with ground clearance of zero :-). There are a lot of turnouts and they keep the road in good shape. When you get to end parking is limited and tight.

It is a nice drive and there is frog lake along the way if you want a short hike. A climb up obstruction peak is easy enough and worth the effort, I've taken my kids 7 & 9. There is no trail you just scramble. The hiking trail from there connects with Deer Park which is also a nice drive. A lot of groups split up and pass the keys half way on the hike allowing both groups to enjoy both drives, and a hike (7 something miles) that takes you along the ridge with incredible views of the sound.

Hope it helps.

Excellent description! Thanks! I wish I was in hiking condition, it sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon. Years ago I used to discuss old roads and trails with one of our Backroad Drivers Northwest charter members who was in his 80's at the time. He had been all over the Northwest, on foot and on wheels. He told me there used to be a mountain road across the north end of the Olympics that he once drove. It's probably a hiking trail now. If I recall it went from Hurricane Ridge to the Elwah River, possibly further than that.
Jerry