Klahhane Ridge

Starting from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center — already perched at a mile above sea level — Klahhane Ridge wastes no time getting to the good stuff. The trail traverses open alpine meadows before climbing onto the exposed ridgeline, where the views crack open in every direction: the jagged peaks of the Bailey Range to the south, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island to the north, and on clear days, Mount Baker floating on the horizon like a ghost. The path is a mix of packed dirt and loose rock, with a few short scrambles that keep things interesting without crossing into strenuous territory. Wildflowers carpet the slopes in July and August — lupine, paintbrush, and glacier lilies competing for attention. This is the trail for hikers who want big alpine drama without a dawn-to-dusk death march. If you only have one afternoon at Hurricane Ridge, this is where you spend it.