Mount Storm King

Mount Storm King is approached via the Mount Storm King 
Trail. Beyond the viewpoint where the trail ends, the 
ascent of the peak involves scrambling up rotten rock on a 
narrow ridge. The climber can make the final ascent either 
via the southern side, which consists of steep cliffs of 
pillow basalt, or up the equally precipitous northern 
slopes, which are thickly covered with little trees. 
Mountain goats frequent this area and can be observed 
standing on inaccessible cliffs. The goats are not native 
to the Olympics but were introduced in the 1920s, when 
several animals were released on Mount Storm King. They 
have since multiplied and spread to all parts of the 
Olympics.

The ascent of Mount Storm King is long and arduous for so 
low a peak. One must climb over or go around several false 
summits, and occasionally descend along the knife-edge 
ridge, before attaining the summit (4534 ft/1382 m). The 
panorama from the top is rewarding, however and includes 
not only the sapphire blue expanse of the lake but also the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island, and the snowy 
peaks of the Olympics.