Hiking Project Logo

This understandably popular trail features wonderful views from atop the lofty Grand Ridge.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

7.5

Miles

12.1

KM

Point to Point

6,632' 2,021 m

High

4,933' 1,503 m

Low

1,030' 314 m

Up

1,974' 602 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

43%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There is the least amount of snow from June to October.

Description

Many people complete this trail as a long, out-and-back day trip, but others will prefer to arrange a car shuttle to hike only one way. Traveling from west to east is easiest with less elevation gain than east to west. If you are pressed for time, the first few miles on the Obstruction Peak end offer the primo views.

From the Obstruction Point trailhead, hike east towards Elk Mountain. Some guidebooks call this trail Elk Mountain Trail or Grand Ridge Trail, but it is truly the Obstruction Point-Deer Park Trail. Start out on level ground that becomes an ascent, eventually turning northwards. Pass the intersection with the northern end of the Badger Valley Trail. Continue north across rocky exposed slopes, admiring the views down U-shaped Badger Valley. Spectacular fields of wildflowers adorn the hillsides. Pass the junction with the Elk Mountain Trail. The grade eases considerably until a steep, narrow descent deposits you onto a saddle at the aptly named Roaring Winds campsite.

Climb out of the saddle and pass below Maiden Peak. Continue along the crest of this scenic ridge, now beginning to descend in earnest. From here the trail becomes more wooded and gently rolls through pleasant meadows. Enter an old burn area where most of the trees have been blown down, then climb steeply up to road level. The trail ends on the west side of the Deer Park campground. Interesting factoid: this is the highest maintained trail in Olympic National Park.

Flora & Fauna

Marmots, chipmunks, deer, black bear, eagles. Fir, hemlock, lily, indian paintbrush, lupine.

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W with improvements by Tilman Giese

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 19 votes

#297

Overall
  4.6 from 19 votes
5 Star
58%
4 Star
42%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#21

in Washington

#297

Overall
12 Views Last Month
9,894 Since Apr 1, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
21%
21%
57%
0%

Photos

Looking down a drainage between Obstruction Peak and Elk Mountain.
Feb 4, 2024 near Port An…, WA
Mountains along the trail to Obstruction Point.
Nov 17, 2021 near Port An…, WA
Hiker on the trail to Obstruction Point
Nov 17, 2021 near Port An…, WA
Looking towards the Cascade Mounains from the trail to Obstruction Point.
Nov 17, 2021 near Port An…, WA
Badger Valley
Feb 4, 2024 near Port An…, WA
Upper Grand Creek Valley.
Feb 4, 2024 near Port An…, WA
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.