The South Branch Little River forms on the northern slopes of Hurricane Ridge and joins the main stem just outside Olympic National Park. The Little River Trail follows the river through lowland, montane and subalpine forests to its headwaters on the open slopes of Hurricane Ridge. This long and diverse trail gains over 4000’, most of which occurs on the last 4.5 miles. 

Pacific coastal temperate rainforests extend 2500 miles from Prince William Sound in south central Alaska to northern California

Coastal temperate rainforests are defined in part by having over 100 days of rain, and being located within 93 miles of the coast

Gravel bars offer easy river access and a chance to explore this kinetic environment

Little River Falls is one of several major cascades accessible from the trail before it steepens away for Hurricane Ridge

Mountain goats (seen here on Hurricane Hill) have few natural predators; most naturally occurring deaths are the result of rockslides, avalanches and starvation due to worn out teeth

Second growth stands of Douglas fir line lower portions of the trail; much larger specimens can be found once inside park boundaries

Red Columbine (a member of the Buttercup Family), is part of the genus Aquilegia; aquilegia is a latin word for eagle, and a reference to the resemblance of its petals to talons

Fairy Slipper orchids (Calypso bulbosa) favor shady forests and river banks

Voluminous cascades on the Little River tumble through narrow chutes during peak runoff in May

Magenta paintbrush growing along the upper elevations of the Little River Trail

The Little River Trail intersects the Hurricane Hill Trail offering incredible views

The Little River joins the Elwha River just south of Highway 101 on the west side of Port Angeles

Fresh bear scat along the trail reminds hikers to be alert!

Shedding its winter coat, an adult mountain goat surveys the Hurricane Hill area

A hidden arm of Little River Falls

Mount Angeles - an ever present force along Klahane Ridge and Hurricane Ridge

Black sand bars provide great resting points along the Little River

An olympic marmot on Hurricane Ridge

Black Tail Deer are considered a sub-species of Mule Deer, and are closely related to White Tail Deer