The Olympic Peninsula is a wondrous collection of different environments: remote ocean beaches, rain forests, old growth forests--and alpine heights. Hurricane Ridge is the most accessible example of the latter, accessible via a paved road that leaves Port Angeles at sea level and arrives, 20 miles later, at 5200 feet. There's a relatively new visitor center, which includes a big gift shop, a restaurant, and a nice balcony from which to enjoy the view.
The view is spectacular--you're looking into the Olympic Range at eye-level. What's particularly impressive about these mountains is their proximity to the ocean: remember, these nearly-10,000-foot peaks are only miles away from the Pacific. Enjoy the meadows, which stretch out towards the mountains, and are flower-filled in summer time.
There are trails here, too, including the 1.5-mile Hurricane Hill Trail, an easy paved path that might allow you to get away from some of crowds. And it may be crowded--Port Angeles is the major town on the northern edge of the Peninsula, and Hurricane is a major destination in the park. Arrive early to beat the pack, or consider heading up on a day that isn't so great at sea level. The weather is unpredictable EVERYWHERE in this park, and especially so on the beaches and in the mountains. Watching the clouds and rain move can be part of the fun, plus clouds at sea level doesn't necessarily mean clouds at Hurricane. Check the closed-circuit TV at the Visitor Center (just outside of town on the road up to the Ridge) to see what things are like up top. We arrived at Hurricane mid-day in late June, but found it pretty empty: the clouds had kept folks away.
From journal Washington: Big Beaches, Big Mountains, Big Forest