[Ancient Ambler]

Lucked into a clear day and took off by snowshoe toward 6247 ft. Eagle Point, about 5 miles east of Hurricane Ridge. Snotel reports from Waterhole about 4 miles out on the route indicated very little precipitation in the past week, and consistent with that we found only 3 to 5 inches of loose snow on top of a very solid base. Local avalanche danger looked to be rather low, so we took off toward Eagle Point from the departure point about a half mile downhill from the Hurricane Ridge parking lot.

Eagle Point from Obstruction Point Road

Route past Steeple Rock

There are some steep sidehills to traverse in the vicinity of Steeple Rock (although they are not pictured above) so carrying an ice axe may be useful. There is also a very steep chute the road traverses southeast of Waterhole just before it makes a hairpin turn toward the northwest at about 5400 foot elevation. Rather than cross that chute, we left the road at about 5320 ft. elevation and angled up through the woods to the ridge, following the ridge toward the false summit of Eagle Point. While others went on to the summit, I stayed behind to deal with quad cramping. Obviously need to do even more conditioning to recover from months of injury related inactivity. A bummer not to summit, but I certainly enjoyed the view:

Mt. Delabarre

Mts. Dana, Christie, Wilder

Mt. Seattle

Mts. Meany, Queets

Mt. Olympus

Mts. Carrie, Fairchild

Hurricane Ridge

Mt. Angeles

[RonL]

Cool, I was up there Saturday as well. I just skied around the Hurricane Hill area. Is that parking area on the right hand side of the road before you get to the top where the route for waterhole starts? Or did you park up top and walk back down to head out there? I would like to explore that area on my next trip to the Penninsula.

[goats gone wild]

Ancient Ambler, looks like you enjoyed some great views despite not gaining the summit. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Sometimes extra fluids can help reduce/eliminate muscle cramping, but you probably already know that. Anyway, I hope this hiking season brings you lots of opportunity to be active as can be.....with no more quad cramping.

[Ancient Ambler]

RonL, Yes, parking for the snow route out the Obstruction Pt. Road is on the right side of the highway, just downhill from the last curve before you get to the Ridge parking lot. Just cross to the east side of the highway, climb the snowbank, and head uphill to the highway curve, at which point you will find an open snowfield which you descend southeasterly to intercept the path of the Obstruction Point Road heading east through the trees. The actual starting point for the Obstruction Point road is at the east end of the Ridge parking lot, but the first quarter mile or so traverses extremely steep sidehill that is not safe when covered with snow.

[RonL]

Thanks for the tips.

[EastKing]

Great trip report! I know about cramps getting in the way (bananas, salty snacks and lots of water is now my diet for trips). Still you got some great picks, Thank you for sharing. I hope soon I can get out in the Olympics!

[raising3hikers]

Nice pics, I 've never been ther but it's now on my list