Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) - August 23, 2021
As our first hike on our Olympic National Park mini-vacation, this hike was a great jumping off point to explore the park. It combined beautiful lush forest and rocky rugged beach in one hike. After working up much anticipation from reading about this hike we made sure it was our first destination in the park.
At 9.7 miles and little elevation gain, it was our longest hike of the trip. Generally we find hiking with greater elevation gain more work. Not so with the Ozette Triangle! The trail is often made up of boardwalks, a good idea in such a wet climate. Our good luck was a dry day leaving us free from worry of slipping on the boards, as warning signs alert. Our fairly casual stroll through the forest for the first 3 miles was pleasant but not difficult.
When we stepped out onto the beach we found a different experience waiting for us. We indeed needed to work! Rocks, rocks, and more rocks, covered with thick deposits of slippery kelp covered the beach, making for careful treading. A few steps would give us a cushy footfall on a nice thick bed of kelp. Then a large hidden rock, very round, would announce itself with a sneaky Slip and Slide. Happily our feet just happened to be walking in a very beautiful place. And then some! We were grateful to choose the direction for this hike that we did, by random chance. The going got easier as the hike progressed.
Not by random chance was our timing of the hike. Based on advice of a local person the previous night, we wanted to be past the final headland before the pesky high tide hemmed us in. Starting the hike fairly early in the day did the trick. We made it through!
Hikers will see many fine sights doing the Ozette Triangle. For us this included the unusual sight of a great blue heron high on a rocky pillar, a baby and mamma deer grazing on the beach, tide pools with anemone and tiny hermit crabs, and a couple of sea lions perched on rocks as the tide came in. Not to mention beach flowers still in bloom!
When in the Olympic National Park, do this hike. It's a beauty!
Read MoreAt 9.7 miles and little elevation gain, it was our longest hike of the trip. Generally we find hiking with greater elevation gain more work. Not so with the Ozette Triangle! The trail is often made up of boardwalks, a good idea in such a wet climate. Our good luck was a dry day leaving us free from worry of slipping on the boards, as warning signs alert. Our fairly casual stroll through the forest for the first 3 miles was pleasant but not difficult.
When we stepped out onto the beach we found a different experience waiting for us. We indeed needed to work! Rocks, rocks, and more rocks, covered with thick deposits of slippery kelp covered the beach, making for careful treading. A few steps would give us a cushy footfall on a nice thick bed of kelp. Then a large hidden rock, very round, would announce itself with a sneaky Slip and Slide. Happily our feet just happened to be walking in a very beautiful place. And then some! We were grateful to choose the direction for this hike that we did, by random chance. The going got easier as the hike progressed.
Not by random chance was our timing of the hike. Based on advice of a local person the previous night, we wanted to be past the final headland before the pesky high tide hemmed us in. Starting the hike fairly early in the day did the trick. We made it through!
Hikers will see many fine sights doing the Ozette Triangle. For us this included the unusual sight of a great blue heron high on a rocky pillar, a baby and mamma deer grazing on the beach, tide pools with anemone and tiny hermit crabs, and a couple of sea lions perched on rocks as the tide came in. Not to mention beach flowers still in bloom!
When in the Olympic National Park, do this hike. It's a beauty!
Cape Alava-Ozette Triangle Loop - Olympic National Park - August 23, 2021
Cape AlavaOzette Triangle LoopOlympic National ParkWashington National Parksbeach hikingpacific northwest hiking
