It's an easy hike down to the beach. Her first backpacking trip was a 10 day trek across the Olympic Mountains, following the Quinault River. From Seattle, the distance to Third Beach is about 149 miles. {RELATED POST: What to Wear in Seattle: 15 Surprisingly Versatile Wardrobe Essentials}10 Awe-Inspiring Beaches Near Port Angeles. When I returned around 1:30, it was a much smaller beach and still a . While the coast is often characterized by the Third Beach to Oil City 17-mile thru-hike, it also provides shorter trips for backpackers simply looking for a weekend getaway. By this point the trail conditions seem tame to us, if it was our first day then yeah the mud and falling apart ladders and stairs would be disappointing but we learned how to find the driest mud sections, maximize the ropes that are available and mostly avoid stepping on any ladders or stairs. Ropes line the trail, offering hikers stability in wetter weather. (1.9), Top of Ladder: 47.87539N / -124.57913W (47 52 31.404 / -124 34 44.868) (99ft.) Its a 1.3 mile trek through high trees, sometimes shrouded in fog, giving the forest here a spooky aura. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful hike although we didnt make it all the way. The rope and ladder potions made it feel like an obstacle course. Get Trail News This is a difficult one way trail to Third Beach Trailhead in Olympic National Park. However beware NO DOGS ALLOWED on this trail. "Strawberry Point is accessible from a trail departing from the southern end of Third Beach. Plenty of parking. Stay left at the major forks in the road, following signs for La Push and not for Mora. He cautious the first rope had a part that was fraying a bit. This is a breathtakingly beautiful beach and a perfect way to enjoy the beauty of the Olympic coast. Follow the tide chart that the NPS provides you. Be careful when climbing over the logs as they may move and shift. From the Third Beach Trailhead near La Push, WA, hike down the well groomed path through the dense forest and underbrush until you reach the sandy expanse of Third Beach. Third Beach is also popular for camping. . If youre not planning on camping at the beach, the two closest towns nearby are La Push and Forks. Yes! The waterfall on the cliff too bad it was too misty to enjoy it. Strawberry Bay Falls (also known as Third Beach Falls) is one of the larger and more accessible of the cascades that plunge into the ocean along this rugged stretch of Washington. This mile-long stretch winds leisurely through the forest, descending briefly to cross a creek before gradually meandering to the far side of the headland. Continue westward on SR 110. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Carefully travel up this ladder being aware that the rungs can be loose and in bad condition. Manage Settings Port Angeles, WA 98362 Getting from the trail to the beach can be a little complicated; you may have to scramble over a few logs or through some beach grass. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Continue along the beach to reach Strawberry Point, and follow the ladder markers up into the bluff. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. These sales help to run this blog without any additional cost to you. Luckily this section is quite short, and before you know it, youll be level with the beach. From Port Angels, WA drive 53 miles west on US-101. Peanut butter and jelly consumed, we continued down the beach. About halfway along there is a persistent landslide of rocks and trees that may block the beach at tides over 5 feet. Login. We really liked this beach a lot. Towards the end of the trail it gets kinda steep but not too bad. Additionally, those who DO get a parking spot are seriously at risk getting blocked in by others who have no regard for anyone but themselves and are simply wedging their car into any location. (Its a 2.6 mile hike round-trip.) The sea-stars are returning. Camping Phone Number (360) 565-3100. There are few places as wild and beautiful as Toleak or Strawberry Point, to name just a few of the South Coast Wilderness Trail's highlights. On January 26th, 1700, a 9.0 earthquake rocked the Washington Coast, changing the landscape of the region. If camping on the beach, make sure your tent is above the tide line. I think some of my group members werent quite ready for such a long walk to the beach usually when were in Olympic, we visit Ruby Beach or Rialto Beach, with the ocean less than 0.25 miles from the parking area. The trail begins by meandering through coastal forest until reaching the 200ft decent down to the beach. Mapcarta, the open map. It is perplexing but I would skip the hassle and aggravation of this beach and go elsewhere. Started by NorthwestWanderer; Feb 19, 2019; Replies: 5; Cruise for about 10 miles and you'll reach the trailhead for Third Beach Trail. Please try again. Wilderness camping permits are required for all overnight stays in Olympic National Park Wilderness (year-round) so we reserved a permit via Recreation.gov and got to planning out overnight. This overland trail is adventurous with ropes, stairs, and ladders. We found ways to pass and both sides gave cheerful greetings as we passed. It's 1.4 miles out to Third Beach (so, nearly 3 miles round trip). WA The view is nice up top, but not worth the slippery rope terror. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We could also walk right round in the sea stacks, which was fun. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. (Only 2.5 miles away.) Wilderness Information Center The hike from the trailhead down to Third Beach is almost a mile and a half. Highest Point 280 feet Calculated . Certain sections of coastal routes are also only passable at mid-to-low tides; these sections should be identified and planned out prior to a trip. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 25 min to complete. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. The weather was pretty cloudy, but I guess we could expect that on the coast. We saw otters feeding in the bay. There are several campsites just behind the trees at Toleak, joined by a main trail. Look on your left up into the woods and youll see a red and black sign. There was Otter tracks on the sand. The view from here is stunning and is one of the highlights of the trip. Directions:From Port Angeles follow US 101 West for 55 miles to its junctions with State Route 110. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 The trail descends back to the beach, coming up along the far side of the cove. Know your tidal schedule for this section. ~1.4 miles. Cryptosporidium and giardia exist in coastal lakes, streams, and rivers. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. A cozy beach campsite, equipped with a net hammock and nearby water source, waits for you on the south side of the point. We read in a hiking book ( 2010) that there are frequent break-ins with overnight vehicles in the third beach parking lot. From Seattle, the distance to Third Beach is about 149 miles. We walked all the way to the end before heading back. It is noted for its large berries. Forks, WA. The beach was full of old logs and crabshells. USA. Those who are interested in continuing onward towards Strawberry Point can head on along the beach, enjoying spectacular views of seastacks and the ocean. After 14.2 miles, descend to Third Beach on stairs and ladders (11) and pick up the dirt path to Third Beach parking area (12) and your shuttle. Turn right onto WA-110 W / La Push Road and drive 11.5 miles. Experience this 5.3-mile out-and-back trail near Forks, Washington. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. Photos, Ecosystem type: Coastal forest and ocean beach After a short hike along the beach, the trail runs into another impassible headland. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. Beach logs may not be stable. There is no upland access to this beach. And since I was at Mt. This bay is a scenic sandy beach flanked with towering bluffs and seastacks. Olympic National Park Pay this beach a visit! . Use extreme caution when walking on logs. This route takes you south along the entirety of Third Beach to the Hoh River. La push beach is awe inspiring, we went on a rainy cloudy day and had the whole beach to ourselves. We went out to Strawberry Point for a night before heading back the next day. Hiking on the Olympic Peninsula? Strawberry Point is a cape in Washington. So beautiful! Tel:360.565.3100, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. One of my favorite coastal hikes. Iodine is ineffective against cryptosporidium. ~2.4 miles. (3.3), Headland Trail Junction #3: 47.86341N / -124.55824W (47 51 48.276 / -124 33 29.6634) (11ft.) Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula (Romano - Mountaineers Books), You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association About 1.5 miles north of Forks, turn west onto Highway 110. If you continue on you have to climb a steep hill (rope provided) back up to the trail. Left at Y on La Push Rd for 3 miles to the trailhead on the left. #leonardsbakery #malasadas #, Have you been before? Photo Gallery. Continue on this road for approximately 10 miles to reach the Third Beach trailhead. Turn right onto WA-110 W / La Push Road and drive 11.5 miles. While the water access is located on the far side of Strawberry Point, campsites line the cove, accessible by a forest trail that can be easily reachedby the sand. But popping out onto the coast at the log-choked mouth of a creek and seeing the grand Pacific Ocean provides the perfect payoff. . Once at Scott Creek, the route will stay on the flat shoreline and will offer beautiful views of sea stacks. Parking is hard on the weekend, and cars park perpendicular to parking spots (taking up 3-4 spots for 1 car) which is ridiculous. Manage Settings (This would lessen the chance of us getting caught by the tide. Because you have to hike to this beach, it tends to be less busy. You lose about 300 feet elevation, most of which is in the last 0.2 miles. From here, it requires a climb to get up and over the driftwood pile that accumulates here thanks to high tides but its easily navigable and soon you will be on the beach! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Driftwood logs often have to be negotiated in order to reach the sand. At this point, you will see your first rope ladder. Turn west onto Highway 110, and proceed 10 miles to the Third Beach trailhead, on the right hand side of 110. After being briefly reunited with the sandy beaches, backpackers should keep their eyes out for a large icon a quartered circle painted red and black that marks a trail over the impassible headland. Fragaria chiloensis. This trail goes by Diamon Rock, Toleak Point, Strawberry Point, Scotts Bluff, and Third Beach. The Olympic Coast boasts some of Washingtons most beautiful and challenging terrain, offering stunning vistas no matter the season or weather. Parking The trail itself is nice and pretty. Do not bring drones. Map They are prohibited in national parks. Washington Trails Association 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 625-1367. And not often you have to rappel down to get to the beach. Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors. We still almost got caught ayway, but more on that later.). Closer to eye level, look for shelf fungi and other fascinating organisms lichen, moss, insects many small universes abound in this green landscape. Trees in the rainforest atop the headland. Be clear this is just over 5 miles *one way*, 11 miles round trip. The view is totally worth it! Take Highway 110 and drive west until you see a wide parking lot to park your car. Still, it was an easy walk, so it wasnt too bad. Make note of a few things before arriving: the trailhead . Site search . Worse, there are lots of people camping on the beach at this location so there is not much parking turnover. Hiking back along the beach north of Strawberry Point. The stretch of coast from Third Beach to Strawberry Point is notorious for its stunning beaches and twists of trails punctuated by ladders. was comfortable. And, don't forget to wear layers! Fucking amazing. The trail led around the point and descended down to an unnamed beach that was even more beautiful. The waterfall cascades more than 100 feet into the Pacific Ocean. Just past the log pile over Scott Creek, the trail leads into the woods and then back up hill. Always filter or boil water. Hike Info: More rugged than Hole in the Wall, Second Beach is another one of the 3 incredible beach hikes in the LaPush region of Olympic National Park. Didnt see anyone for hours. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Sign Up. Notices We wonder if the National Park Service is hoping to keep the spot too small to limit the number of campers on the beach? This part of the trail is in a rather poor condition so take your time descending. You'll find Third Beach near LaPush. Strawberry Point : 8: N47 50.051 W124 32.474 6.4 miles : Toleak Point : 9: N47 49.908 W124 31.326 7.3 . Puget Sound. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Neither Teawhit Head or Taylor Point can be rounded at shore level. The Olympics South Coast Route is a backpacking classic. North America. But in the rain, be prepared and climb with caution. A sturdy rope provides assistance up the sandy cliff before the trail winds over another forested headland. Second Beach Third Beach. Again, we were going against the crowd, but Id say we met fewer people coming back than going out. 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The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. A privy is located up a short side trail on the south side of the creek. Scrambling on the slippery rocks, we counted 80 sea stars (not to mention the kelp and other sea life)! 600 E. Park Avenue Start off from the parking area just off Highway 101, and head down the wide graveled trail. The trail drops 265' in a lush hemlock-spruce forest to Third Beach (1.35 miles), which spans a lengthy crescent on Strawberry Bay between Teahwhit Head (north), and Taylor Point (south). Beautiful views! The Olympic Coast boasts some of Washington's most beautiful and challenging terrain, offering stunning vistas no matter the season or weather. There is one trail, well signed, to Third Beach and Toleak Point. The permit office should give you this sheet and explain to you the window of time that will be optimal to cross. This route from Third Beach to Toleak Point offers an up close and personal experience beside the pounding surf of the Washington Coast. One of the most unique and rewarding views from Third Beach is of Strawberry Bay Falls, a 100-foot waterfall that flows into the ocean. From Port Angeles follow US 101 West for 55 miles to its junctions with State Route 110. The trail begins by meandering through coastal forest until reaching the 200ft decent down to the beach. By this time, we were meeting tonights backpackers as well as more day hikers. We came out right next to the stream, a sight Im not used to on Eastern beaches. The gpx file for Third Beach can be downloaded please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail. @markobreezy. Third Beach to Toleak Point, Trail Map, La Push - Mora Beach Trails, Olympic National Park, Washington. For a full list of lodging options in Forks,click here. Two sections of the Olympic Peninsula's coastline are completely undeveloped and uniquely spectacular. It winds, quite flat, for about a mile through the ferns, moss, and lush greenery, then suddenly begins a steep descent to the beach, half a mile away. While it does require hikers to time the tides, the planning is definitely worth it. How beautiful this trail is! From Third Beach, turn left and walk along the beach for 0.4 miles. We finally came to Strawberry Point at 5.9 miles. As I arrived at Third Beach, this sign was a good reminder to return before high tide, which on this date was about 3:30pm. It is much busier but that's because there is a lot to see there. We started about an hour before low tide and were able to see some cool sea life at Third Beach. Please make sure you watch your tide tables and have a marine forecast on hand. Beautiful beach with easy access via a mile and a half maintained trail which was dry and easily passable. If the tide is low enough, backpackers can make their way through the cove, crossing stony tide pools. On the southern end of the beach is Strawberry Bay Falls. (4.2), Headland Trail Junction #4: 47.86024N / -124.55775W (47 51 36.8634 / -124 33 27.8994) (19ft.) Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. (3.3), Tide Pools #1: 47.86704N / -124.56799W (47 52 1.344 / -124 34 4.7634) (-3ft.) Hikers can proceed two or three abreast at the outset, and enjoy the sounds of a rushing creek as well as the sights of magnificent, huge hemlocks towering above you. But popping out onto the coast at the log-choked mouth of a creek and seeing the grand Pacific Ocean provides the perfect payoff. Third beach is sandy with large driftwood piles. You know it, youll be level with the beach to ourselves down the beach, the. Counted 80 sea stars ( not to mention the kelp and other sea life ) for.. 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Are completely undeveloped and uniquely spectacular easy walk, so it wasnt too bad the creek but popping out the! They may move and shift RELATED POST: What to Wear in:. Highlights of the Olympic Peninsula & # x27 ; t forget to Wear layers also walk round!