`Bear'ly the top of Hurricane Ridge Letterbox, Olympic NP
near Port Angeles, WA
Clallam County

Placed: 1 Aug 2002
By: DVN2R CKR


Approximately 3 miles round trip (to the box and back to the parking
lot) through alpine meadows with glorious views. Paved trail climbs
to a panoramic view of mountains and saltwater. 700 foot elevation
change. This letterbox is within the Olympic Mountains National
Park just south of the beautiful town of Port Angeles, WA which
overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Bring your Golden Eagle or
National Park pass or be prepared to pay the approx. $10 entrance
fee at the park entrance station 5 miles beyond the Port Angeles
Visitor Center.

Hurricane Ridge Road: Open 24 hours a day mid May into October.
The rest of the year opens (weather permitting) primarily on
weekends. Call (360) 565-3131 for current conditions. Not sure if
the Hurricane Hill/Ridge trail system is open to snow shoe-rs during
the winter--it might be!

Note: This hike ends at 5,700' elevation. The elevation change
during the hike to the letterbox is approximately 650'ensure
you are healthy and physically able to undertake a challenging trek
at such a high elevation. My almost 4-year old daughter had little
difficulty on this trail but she is quite athletic. Plan
accordingly! This is also black bear and cougar countrybe
perpetually vigilant! No pets are allowed on the trail. Bring
water, food and windbreakers/raincoats as there are no amenities
along the trail. Take a camera, as well, since the views from the
top are absolutely breathtaking!

Start your trek at the Hurricane Hill trailhead (18.5 miles from the
Port Angeles Visitor Center to the parking lot for the trail//1.5
miles past the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center). From the trailhead
parking lot, it will take about 1 to 1-1/2 hours to hike to the top
& find the letterbox (weather permitting). It will take about
another 30 minutes to descend the mountain.

CLUES TO 'Bear'ly the top of Hurricane Ridge Letterbox:

*Be prepared to be blown away (by beauty) on the Hurricane Hill
trail!

*Proceed on the trail,
Take your time, you won't fail.

*Seek the `Folded Rock',
Tis the next goal on your walk.

*Another trail to the `river'?
Might make your heart shiver,
So toward left you should steer,
If to Hurricane Hill you'd like to veer.

*A `sculptor of wind'?
Twill be what you now must find.

*Through some pines you will wind,
Take a break, you're doing fine.

*Past the `Lingering Snow'?
On the main trail you must go!

*Steep switchbacks are fine,
Soon your face will shine.

*'North vs West'?
Past this sign is your quest!

*Continue on the (paved/gravel) path for your climb,
Boy, these words sure are tough to rhyme!

*Just about to the top?
Is where you want to stop.

* "Over-look" for the sign,
Sooketo Mt Baker is just fine!

*From the Mt Baker side (of the map),
16 paces, within a 7' tall stump the box does hide!

(Please be discreet as this is a very popular location!)

*Look inside for your `bear'y fun letterbox!
Please return me when you're through,
Put some bark atop me, that will do!


PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE: This letterbox is essentially an
`orphan' as we are unable to visit it regularly. Please email me
when you find it at blee@pobox.com or dvn2rckr@yahoo.com. Please
bring some extra letterboxing info sheets/pens with you when you go
to `clean it up' in the event it needs it. Perhaps a
fellow `letterboxer' from Port Angeles could adopt it ;)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Happy trails & Godspeed, little bear!!!