Mount Storm King
Lake Crescent viewpoint route
The Route
A steep forest ascent above Lake Crescent continues beyond the maintained trail to rocky viewpoints.
- Storm King StationMarymere approach
- Storm King BranchSteep forest switchbacks
- Maintained Trail EndShoulder below viewpoint
- Informal Viewpoint PathExposed upper terrain
- Same-Route ReturnNot the true mountain summit
Marymere Approach & Forest
The route begins at Storm King Ranger Station and shares the Marymere Falls approach, passing under US 101. The Storm King branch leaves the gentle approach near a large boulder. Steep switchbacks climb through damp forest before reaching drier slopes with madrone and manzanita; openings provide views into Barnes Creek valley and across Lake Crescent.
Maintained Trail & Viewpoint
The maintained trail ends below the popular rocky viewpoint. Beyond it, an increasingly faint and rough climber's path crosses exposed terrain. The ropes commonly pictured on this section are not installed or maintained by the land manager. This listing's popular viewpoint is not Mount Storm King's true summit. Return retraces the ascent; Marymere Falls is a separate extension at the lower junction.
Terrain Along the Route
The maintained trail ends at a shoulder; the upper viewpoint route is unmaintained and includes steep exposed scrambling. Informal ropes are not maintained park equipment.
Approximate guide figures for the named route and endpoint, not a current measured track. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Storm King Ranger Station, Olympic National Park, WA
Trailhead & Approach
Start at the Storm King Ranger Station near Lake Crescent and follow the Marymere Falls approach to the signed Storm King junction.
Parking & Entry
The route guide lists Olympic National Park entrance fee or accepted pass. This is a reference listing, not a live parking or permit availability check.
Route Choice
The popular viewpoint route above Lake Crescent, not the true Mount Storm King summit.
Barnes Point Start
Use the Storm King Ranger Station / Barnes Point area off US 101 at Lake Crescent. Lake Crescent Lodge has another approach connection; that is not a separate high-elevation trailhead.
Facilities
WTA identifies a trailhead toilet at the Marymere start. Lodge services and ranger-station staffing have their own operating seasons, separate from the forest trail.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
Lake Crescent Access
NPS visitor information and mapped destinations around Lake Crescent. Road status is separate.
Recent Trip Reports
Open the route-specific WTA reports and compare the hiking date, endpoint and reported conditions.
Official Access & Updates
Open the official page for current access notices, permits and seasonal information for this destination.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.