Seattle to Hurricane Ridge by public transit

I’ve done this trip a few times, most recently on Juneteenth. As I am usually the sole passenger on the Hurricane Ridge shuttle, I was inspired by seeing so many yesterday.

The basic route is this:

Link Light Rail Pioneer Square (Exit C) —> Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry —> Clallam Route 123 (Strait Shot, ferry parking lot) to Port Angeles Gateway Transit Center —> Hurricane Ridge shuttle (in the PA Gateway TC)

I left my home in Columbia City around 8:45AM with the below departure connection times:

Seattle-Bainbridge ferry: 9:35AM Strait Shot bus: 10:20AM Hurricane Ridge shuttle: 1:00PM

Arrived at Hurricane Ridge at 1:35PM. Cost was about USD32.25 for everything from and back to Seattle, excluding light rail. You can pay the ferry by ORCA card, but the bus routes are paid in cash (no change given) or Token Transit (app on Clallam Transit’s website).

Except for certain holidays like Juneteenth, you need to show an entry permit for Olympic National Park to the Hurricane Ridge shuttle driver.

There is also no internet on Hurricane Ridge so if you pay by Token Transit, save a screenshot for the return trip (recommended by the driver).

Hurricane Ridge is ridiculously gorgeous with many trails, even some with backcountry camping options. The shuttle also has stops near Switchback and Lake Angeles trailheads as well as Heart o’ the Hills campground.

All of my trips on this route have been day hikes from Seattle to Hurricane Ridge and back which takes about 12 hours total. I understand that few are willing to bear the time cost, but if you don’t have a car or don’t care, this is very easy, comfortable and viable.

On a final note, it is confounding that these opportunities are available to us at low cost and difficulty, yet so few take advantage. We need to support our local transit agencies to keep them alive; please do so and share.