Sierra Club Outings | Olympic Coast Backpack, Olympic National Park, Washington

Photo: C.G. Schmidt

Highlights:

Experience the wild Olympic coast
Observe the tide pool life
Enjoy camping by the ocean

Includes:

Backpacking food provided
Group cooking
Group campsite the night before the trip�s start

Olympic National Park, on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington State, has been designated both an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage site. These designations acknowledge the valuable diversity of the park's natural wonders -- qualities that many individuals and groups worldwide have celebrated for years.

This area is home to ocean and saltwater beaches (sandy and rocky); rivers and lakes; mountains and glaciers; valley streams and waterfalls; rare, temperate rainforests; and hot springs. The park encompasses two parts of the Olympic Peninsula -- the interior mountains and the coastal strip, and is 95 percent designated wilderness.

This trip will focus on the coast as we travel northward from Rialto Beach to Ozette over the varied shoreline terrain. As we time our moves to be in sync with the tides and the weather, we'll examine the geologic features of the coast, the bird life that hugs the shoreline, and the sea life that inhabits the tide pools. Some of the beaches are strewn with drift wood, some covered with rocky outcroppings, and others are broad and sandy. Along the way, we'll pass a couple of memorials to ships lost along the coast in storms many years ago.

Our daily hiking distances will be relatively short and evenly paced with a layover day at the end to day hike in the Ozette Lake area or just take it easy. We'll �pack it in and pack it out� and enjoy the seclusion of this remote shoreline. Our way out will be over a 3-mile boardwalk that traverses a rainforest typical of the Olympics.

Day 1: We'll meet in the evening at a local campground near Forks, WA, get acquainted and enjoy a no-host dinner in town.

Day 2: In the morning, we'll set the car shuttle and get everything in order at Rialto Beach for the start. By late morning we'll start on a short day (3+ miles) just past an instantly recognizable rock feature called Hole-in-the Wall.

Day 4: Further north for another 7.5 miles will bring us to the expansive sandy beaches surrounding Sand Point.

Day 5: We’ll layover at Sand Point and day hike in the Ozette Lake region.

Day 6: We'll go inland on a boardwalk for 3 miles to Ozette to our waiting cars.

Our starting point will be at a campground near Forks, WA (exact location to be determined). The nearest large airport is the Seattle-Tacoma Airport. Allow four hours of driving time to cover the 190 miles from the Seattle-Tacoma Airport to Forks. The roads in the area are in good shape and paved, but require some patience and reduced speeds.

Meals will be provided from breakfast on day one to a trailside lunch on the final day. We�ll have a varied but simple backpacker�s menu with vegetarians and non-vegetarians in mind. Everyone will have the opportunity to share in the meal preparation. Food will be carried in bear canisters to protect the raccoons! We will use standard Sierra Club techniques for water treatment (water purification tablets, filters or boiling). Please be aware that water in the area generally contains tannic acid that gives it a brownish color even after purification.

The trip is rated leisurely (L) because of the flat terrain, short distances, and the inclusion of a layover day. Nevertheless, hiking on Olympic shoreline requires the ability and confidence to scramble over downed timber, across rocky areas, and on seaweed that has washed up on the shore. Walking on sandy beaches is also more tiring than equivalent distances on firm soil. While July is one of driest months of year in the Olympics, protracted periods of rainy weather can occur any time of the year and add to the difficulty of the trip.

A list of equipment will be sent to all participants. Cooking equipment and food will be provided. Temperatures are generally mild in the summer (50� to 70�F), but rain often occurs, so tents and waterproof clothing are recommended. Expect to limit your personal gear to 25 pounds. Group cooking equipment will add 10 to 12 pounds to the packweights and will require a pack volume equivalent to about 4 gallons.

A good map of the area is entitled �North Olympic Coast� and is available from www.customcorrectmaps.com

A collection of pictures from my last trip to the area is available at the following.

These pictures give a good indication of the range of terrain that will be covered on the trip.

Olympic National Park is considered to be one of the longest wilderness coastlines in the Lower 48. Preservation and protection of that coastline from litter washed up from the sea is one of many issues that are a constant concern for all who enjoy the park. As the visitor comes into the park, the contrast between the land it protects and the surrounding areas that fall outside its jurisdiction are a stark reminder of the importance of nurturing this country�s protected lands.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Chuck Schmidt has hiked extensively in the Sierra as well as in the Cascades, the Trinity Alps, the Olympics, the Beartooth Mountains, and Nepal. He has been leading trips for the national outings program since the mid-1980s.