enzian - that might just be it! I emailed the park, got a prompt response, and they are sending out a packet of information. Also I read that there will be road construction leading up to Hurricane Ridge and the road will only be open Fri-Sun....that leaves me only the first day we get there, Sunday, to get up there. I'm crossing my fingers either the schedule changes or they finish early?! I just don't think I'll have enough time that day, but I'll hold out hope.

You've definitely done your homework! I didn't even know about the road closure. (We don't get out to Olympic any more, since we got a dog--she can't hike with us there!)

Maybe you'll get there in time for a quick drive up to Hurricane Ridge on Sunday. Unfortunately by mid-September we won't have our great long evenings any more (right now it stays light until 10; by mid-September it will be more like 7).

Otherwise. . . you could try one of the hikes that takes you up to a viewpoint from a lower elevation. As I recall, the Heather Park hike starts down by Heart o' the Hills, (but I can't remember if you get high enoug for ocean views on that one).

That was my next concern -- how much daylight we'd have by the end of September. I had read several things about it getting dark quite early. I'll just have to make a point of getting to Hurricane Ridge as early as possible to see everything before the sun goes down. Or I'll cross my fingers that they finish up early on the road construction and/or it's delayed and that changes the weekly schedule. :)

It doesn't get dark particularly early in September.

We're arriving late September though.....sun sets around 7?? At least that's what I read.....

Oh yes that's about right. During our shortest days, sun sets around 4:15 -lol- so 7:00pm seemed not all that early to me.

Suze in Seattle

LOL! Yeah, I heard about those early sunsets! Guess that just means more time for hubby and I to snuggle by the fire in our room! haha