Hike WA: A Solo Snowshoe to Steeple Rock along Obstruction Point Road

By Washington Wandering in Hike, Travel on May 9, 2026May 5, 2026

I love Hurricane Ridge in the winter, but my recent trip along Obstruction Point Road was a sobering reminder of how much our mountain landscapes are shifting. While the views remain world-class, the snowpack—or lack thereof—was the real story of the day.

Trip Stats

Anna’s Rating: ★★★★☆
Date Hiked: March 1, 2026
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass
Difficulty: Moderate

Setting off from the Hurricane Ridge parking lot, the first thing that hit me was the lack of snow. Instead of feet-deep snow drifts I was greeted by patches of bare rock and dirt.

I did find some deeper snow about a mile or two into my hike, but it was already getting pretty heavy and sticky, making for a bit of a workout. I think we’re looking at a very dry, dusty summer in the Olympics.

This snowshoe route follows the unplowed Obstruction Point Road (the route to one of my favorite day hikes: Badger Valley!) and provides great views of the Olympic mountains, offering a unique winter experience along what is normally the highest elevation public road in Washington! Because the road is closed to vehicles in from November to July, it transforms into a winter wonderland for snowshoers and skiers to explore.

Unlike most trails that start with a climb, this route begins with a descent of about 400 feet in the first 1.5 miles as you drop down toward Steeple Rock, so the real work happens on the way back to the parking lot.

Despite the concerning snow levels, the solitude was sublime. I had the trail almost entirely to myself. The only company I had was a family on a ski tour and we spent the morning playing a casual game of leapfrog as we worked our way down the road.

The weather was deceptively warm. In the direct sun, it felt like a sweltering 80 degrees, definitely a “layers off” kind of day.

I decided to call it a day at the scenic overlook just below Steeple Rock. It was the perfect place for a refuel. I enjoyed my snacks and took a quick “Eureka” moment, propping my phone up in the handles of my trekking poles to use them as a makeshift tripod for a few shots of the surrounding peaks.