Hike to PJ Lake, Olympic National Park

Port Angeles, Washington

Save

View all 5 photos

All 5 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

1.63 miles

Elevation Gain

692 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Gaby Colletta

Best from June to November, this hike will bring you to a brilliant emerald green lake backdropped by a collage of firs. It also features a 30-foot waterfall that flows down a moss-covered ledge, wildflowers and intricate foliage, and the fine company of the abundant wildlife. The highest elevation you'll reach is 5200 feet.

A short and scenic trail of tranquility that leads to the secluded Lake PJ, hidden on Hurricane Ridge. Nothing but nature stirs here. The trail, while well-traveled, is far quieter than others in the surrounding area of Olympic. You might see one other hiker. It is lined with wildflowers and in the late summer, huckleberries. The path is short but steep, dropping 600 feet in the first .6 miles and then climbing 300 feet to the lake. It opens to a beautiful stillness that makes you feel like you're worlds away from everything else.

GETTING THERE:
NOTE: The road to access this trail is open in summer months June - late October / early November. Check at the Visitor's Center before hitting the trail.

From Port Angeles - head south on Hurricane Ridge Road to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. Just before you arrive at the parking lot there is a sharp left turn onto Obstruction Point Road. This is a narrow, gravel road. You don't need a 4WD but be mindful of sharing the road. The drive alone makes you feel like you're floating into the sky. About 3.5 miles down you will see the trailhead on the lefthand side of the road.

GPS Coordinates: 47.9458, -123.4255

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Fishing

Photography

Hiking

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Lake

Romantic

Scenic

Waterfall

Wildflowers

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Elk Mountain from Obstruction Point

Olympic National Park is built for someone with a week or more to spare for backpacking deep into the heart of the park's endless miles of wilderness. Between the mountains, the coast, and the rainforest, there is a lot of park to see for someone who is trying to fit their visit into an extended weekend, but there are plenty of options for these travelers if they know where to go. Elk Mountain ...

Backpack to Grand Park in the Olympics

The beauty of many of the north coast trails in the Olympic Peninsula is that your car does a lot of the heavy lifting for you. This is certainly true of the Grand Valley Trail, which begins more than a vertical mile above the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the end of the Obstruction Point Road. Sixteen miles up Hurricane Ridge Road, just as the Visitor's Center comes into view, the gravel Obstruc...

Klahhane Ridge (Switchback Route)

Hiking to Klahhane Ridge is a rewarding experience that provides you with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains. Further access to overnight opportunities is possible if you venture beyond the summit trail. Here’s the scoop: Get an early start. There is a decent amount of parking available at the trailhead, but the lot can easily fill up during peak summer months and on sunny weekends. Start...

Klahhane Ridge Trail

The winding roads and drop-off cliffs provide an outstanding journey to the trailheads on a clear day. If you have to bear through the fog, your reward at the top is worth every second of what you missed. The first image above is your view from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, so even if you aren't in the mood for a gripping hike, you're on an unforgettable adventure with an expansive overlo...

Hurricane Hill

To get to this hike you drive up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. The drive up to Hurricane Ridge is on a winding road with amazing views of the mountains. Once you reach the visitors center at Hurricane Ridge you can fill up water bottles or use the restroom. The trailhead for Hurricane Hill is just a few minutes drive further down the road. The hike up Hurricane Hill is a 3 mile ...

Hike the Heart O' the Forest Trail

This hike is a short, 4.0 mile round trip, half-day or less hike, located just past the Hurricane Ridge entrance into Olympic National Park. Being relatively level and the trail head just off loop E of the Heart O' the Hills Campground, the Heart O' the Forest hike offers those looking for a taste of the rain forest ecosystem on the Olympic Peninsula a chance to explore without committing multi...