West Elwha Trail
Moderate · Out-and-back · 5.2 mi round trip · 614 ft gain · 1¾–2¾ hr
Parkingnot reported today
A solid half-day for most hikers.
No hiker reports in the last 3 days. Be the first to report here
At this trail
No dogs Park entrance fee
Pack it out.
Official pageNational Park Service ›
PermitsDay hikes: none. Overnight: wilderness permit.
AreaOlympic National Park › National Park Service
Officialconditions › · roads › · fees › · permits ›
Rules, fees and closures change. Check the official park site before you go.
Getting there
Starts at Elwha To Hurricane Trailhead · 2 other trails start here
⚠ Road closed: Olympic Hot Springs Road and Whiskey Bend Road (Elwha) are closed to vehicles at the Madison Falls lot since the 2021 washout. Walk or bike from Madison Falls; add 2 to 8 miles each way depending on the trailhead. official status (checked 2026-10-05)
Navigate to the trailhead: Google Maps · Apple Maps · coordinates 48.01342, -123.58747
Right now
⚠ Highway 101 Overnight Closures at Hoh River Bridge, October 13-19These overnight Highway 101 closures cuts off the only direct route between some of the most popular areas of the park. There are no detours available. Taking alternate routes around the east side of the Olympic…National Park Service · Oct 13 · details ›
⚠ Bat Tests Positive for Rabies, Visitors Urged to Report Potential ContactA rabid bat was found at Olympic National Park near Staircase Bridge on August 9th. At approximately 2 p.m., the bat swooped down onto an unidentified woman and was temporarily caught in her hair. This individual is at…National Park Service · Oct 9 · details ›
⚠ Mora Road Closed for Essential RepairsMora Road is closed to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians, at the campground. Rialto Beach is not accessible via Mora Road during this construction period. Mora Campground is open. This construction work…National Park Service · Jul 8 · details ›
Staircase Developed Area is Open, Use Caution in Burned AreasThe Staircase developed area is open. The surrounding wilderness areas will remain closed as repair and recovery efforts continue. Use extreme caution when entering burned areas. Burned landscapes may contain falling…National Park Service · Jul 8 · details ›
TodayAM58°1%
TonightPM46°20%
TueAM57°30%
TuePM51°34%
WedAM61°34%
WedPM47°1%
ThuAM66°
ThuPM52°
Sunny, wind 7 mph · Full forecast ›
Daylight7:32 am 6:28 pm
Air qualityAQI 29 Good
Snow0″ snow at Waterhole (5,010 ft, 14.2 km away)
Typical year: normally snow-free now · usually melted out by about Jun 20 · typical peak Apr 21
Typical year: normally snow-free now · usually melted out by about Jun 20 · typical peak Apr 21
Snow levelabout 4,800 ft now · 4,800–9,500 ft over the next three days
No reports in the last 3 days.
All conditions and reports at Elwha To Hurricane Trailhead
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