Mount Storm King

Steep Lake Crescent summit with dramatic views

Overview
Mount Storm King is a scenic summit above Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park (Clallam County, Washington). The well-known route starts at the Storm King / Marymere Falls trailhead and climbs steeply to exposed viewpoints and a climber’s finish with ropes; the feature is famed for striking views of Lake Crescent and nearby peaks.

Trail details
Distance reported for the maintained route and common out-and-back variations is roughly 3.5–4.5 miles round-trip with about 2,000+ feet of elevation gain; National Park Service lists the maintained trail distance and elevation trends and classifies the route as difficult. The summit/topographic coordinates and elevation are documented by USGS/peak resources.

Getting there & trailhead
Start at the Storm King Ranger Station / Marymere Falls parking area on the south shore of Lake Crescent (turnoff from US‑101 near milepost ~228). There is a paved parking area and restroom facilities at the ranger station/parking lot; a National Park pass is required to park. From the wide Marymere Falls trail, you branch to the Storm King Trail, where the route quickly steepens and begins a sustained series of switchbacks.

Safety & special concerns
The last portion of the climb becomes an unmaintained climber’s trail with rope sections and exposed rock. Ropes are not maintained by the land manager — if you rely on them you do so at your own risk. The NPS recommends carrying the 10 Essentials, checking trail conditions before you go, and planning for rapidly changing weather; the best season is generally May through October. There are no established campsites along the Mount Storm King Trail.

Why visit
Despite the steep and sometimes exposed finish, Mount Storm King rewards hikers with one of the most photogenic cliff‑side vistas on the Olympic Peninsula: sweeping views over the deep blue of Lake Crescent, Barnes Creek valley, and the Olympic Mountains beyond. Many hikers stop at viewpoints below the summit if they prefer to avoid the exposed climber’s section.

Sources
Official trail information and safety notes: National Park Service; route, parking and trip details: Washington Trails Association; summit coordinates/elevation: USGS/peak resources.

Address: Storm King Trailhead / Lake Crescent (Olympic National Park), Port Angeles, Clallam County, WA, 98362, United States

Website: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/mount-storm-king-trail.htm

Phone: 360-565-3130