Backpack - Olympic Coast North: The Shipwreck Coast

Janette & David will be meeting to exchange Cars at Port Angeles 8am May 26^th (David likely to have been in Port Angeles overnight, Janette likely to be leaving Seattle very early on the morning of May 26). Details will be fine tuned & updated to participants as the trip approaches.

This intermediate backpack explores approximately 20 miles along a spectacular section of the Olympic National Park wilderness coast over 4 days. This route has been described as “...some of the prettiest and wildest coastline and beaches in North America.” Sights include sea stacks, arches, caves, tide pools, and sandy beaches. Besides the spectacular scenery, we’ll visit the Chilean Memorial and Norwegian Memorials, which commemorate long-ago shipwrecks along this hazardous coast. This trip is part of the Intermediate Backpacking Program

The general route can be viewed here. We’ll cover 20.09 miles; with elevation changes of +511ft, -496ft. Hiking on this wilderness coast includes both beach hiking and hiking on trails over forested headlands. Headland trails are typically steep and muddy and receive minimal maintenance. Cable ladders or fixed ropes may be on site to assist climbing.  On the beach, the hiking surface varies from soft to hard sand, gravel, cobble stones, boulders, and large drift logs. Algae-covered rocks and wet logs can be slippery and unstable. The variable hiking surfaces of the beach, combined with headland trails and tides, usually challenges even strong backpackers so please don’t think these short distances each day mean this is a simple, easy or leisurely backpack.

Northbound Route trip plan is:

Rialto beach - Chilean memorial 3.8 miles CAMP at Chilean Memorial

Chilean memorial to Cedar Creek 5.1 miles CAMP at Cedar Creek (both groups will camp together this night)

Cedar creek to Yellow Banks 6.3 miles CAMP at Yellow Banks

Yellow banks to Lake Ozette 4.9 miles

Southbound Route trip plan is the reverse of the Northbound Route outlined above.

**The backcountry permits for the Olympic National Park will not be available until April 15^th so this trip plan/Camp locations are dependent on permit availability.

** the permits are $24 each with a fixed fee of $6 for the group – so the route leaders will expect prompt reimbursement for the cost of the permits once the permits have been obtained.

Janette & David will be meeting to exchange Cars at Port Angeles 8am May 26^th (David likely to have been in Port Angeles overnight, Janette likely to be leaving Seattle very early on the morning of May 26). David will lead the northbound route & Janette will lead the southbound route.  Our plan is to have 4 participants backpacking each way.

This is an Intermediate Backpack.  Preference will be given to participants in the Seattle Intermediate Backpacking Program.  Others may register after March 1st.

When requesting permission for this trip please outline recent backpacking trips especially multiple-night trips, winter conditioning activities and any coastal backpacking experience. Please let us know if you a route direction preference.