6.7 miles | 1,493 ft gain | Difficulty: Moderate | Rating ★★★★

Hurricane has three approaches. We opted for the Northern approach, the same lot we climbed Big and Little Crow some years ago. When we arrived around 10am, the lot was nearly full, but not many people on the trail. Our first mile was an easy stroll through the woods, followed by another mile of gradual climb through a stream bed that became a bit steeper near the end. The final 1+ mile took us steeply up muddy rock to exposed rock face towards a final scramble up the top.

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The bald peak was breathtaking, though I wish we could have seen further. Talking to the summit stewards, we learned that the haze has been around for a few weeks now. We also learned that the covid hiking influx seems to be on its way out. With lockdown, everyone decided they were a hiker since indoors were off limit. I have no problem welcoming others to the trails, but the lack of knowledge of Leave No Trace, also brought extra trash and damage with this new crowd. You wouldn’t leave a pile of trash in your or your friend’s yards, why is it okay to do on a trail?