KLAHHANE RIDGE TRAIL (LAKE ANGELES TRAIL)

Length 6.5 mi/10.5 km 
Access Hurricane Ridge Road 
USGS Map Port Angeles Agency Olympic National Park

This route, also known as the Lake Angeles Trail, connects Heart o' the Hills, on the Hurricane 
Ridge Road with the Mount Angeles Trail at Victor Pass, the low point between Klahhane Ridge 
and Mount Angeles. The trailhead (1840 ft/ 561 m) is located near the national park entrance 
station.

The trail climbs the north slope of Klahhane Ridge, going through second-growth forest and 
patches of virgin forest. After crossing Ennis Creek, the trail switchbacks upward through 
extremely dense stands of second-growth fir to Lake Angeles (3,7 mi/6.0 km; 4396 ft/1279 m). 
The broad, smooth trail is virtually an arterial footpath, and large numbers of people visit 
the lake, particularly on weekends. Several campsites arc located at the northern end.

With an area of 20 acres, Lake Angeles is one of the largest high country lakes in the Olympics, 
but it is located on the perimeter of the mountains, only 8 miles south of Port Angeles. The 
lake is shaped like a teardrop and occupies a deep glacial cirque; thus it is almost surrounded 
by steep slopes, with a waterfall plunging down the headwall at the upper end. Near the north or 
outlet end a round, tree-studded isle that resembles a pincushion accents the picturesque quality 
of the setting, The lake is the source of Lake Creek, which flows to the Strait of Juan de Fuca 
via Morse Creek, and is stocked with Eastern brook and cutthroat trout.

Beyond the lake the trail becomes a way path that twists and turns to avoid cliffs and chasms 
as it ascends rocky slopes and works its way back and forth-first on the east side of Ennis 
Ridge, then on the west, above the head of Ennis Creek, then back to the east side overlooking 
the lake. The country is now a mix of meadows and sub-alpine forest, with good views of the lake, 
Port Angeles, and the strait.

Camp Freezeout (5.0 mi/8,0 km; ca, 5850 ft/1783 m), located on a bench just below and to the right 
of the point where the path attains Klahhane Ridge, is an excellent place to stay overnight. The 
tiny brook here usually disappears after late July, but water can be carried from the lake. The 
views are marvelous-at night the lights of Port Angeles and Victoria flicker mysteriously; and 
one can watch ships sailing up and down the strait. Because of its easy accessibility, this is a 
good place to camp in late fall, but hikers should be prepared for sudden storms accompanied by wind, 
snow, poor visibility, and freezing temperatures,

Beyond this camp the trail follows Klahhane Ridge westward. The terrain is precipitous, and the path 
has been blasted in the rock. The views are splendid- left, the interior Olympics, right, the lowlands 
and the strait. Mountain goats can usually be viewed along this trail, often at close range. They 
should be given the right of way, especially where the ridge is steep and narrow. 

The path ends in a junction with the Mount Angeles Trait at Victor Pass {6.5 mi/ 10.5 km; 
5880-ft/1792 m). The bulk of Mount Angeles rises to the west.