Backpack - Olympic Coast South: The Wildcatter Coast

Proposed Itinerary:

Set up car shuttle with a minimum of two cars that can hold five people and all gear.

Day 1 --Backpack to Jefferson Cove and up the ladder(s) to the headland crossing at Hoh Head.  At the crossing we will find a way trail or other route to hike to the tip of Hoh Head to take in the views north and south along the beach and out into the ocean. Look for migrating whales.

Return to main trail and proceed north of Hoh Head to about the first creek crossing.  Assess topography and choose a route through the trees and brush down to the beach just north of Hoh Head (bushwacking for about 600' at an average of a 5:1 slope).  This remote beach is rarely visited.  We will need to find a campsite high up on the beach or back in the trees as the night's tide will be high.  Explore the area.  There are several creeks for water.

Day 2 --Head north from Hoh Head on the beach toward Mosquito Creek camp.  Cross around headlands and several cute little coves sometime before the minus tide at 11 AM, likely between 9 and 10 AM.  There are several rope options if an all beach route is not available. Continue up to Toleak Point to camp.  On our way we will drop our packs at the ladder up to the Goodman Creek crossing and proceed on the beach north and through a secret passageway to a hidden beach at the mouth on Goodman Creek--maybe lunch here.  Returning to the main trail, we will stop and walk up Falls Creek abit in water shoes to see the falls (optional) and ford Goodman Creek (not optional) which can be knee deep or more if rains have been heavy. Camp at Toleak Point area.

Day 3--We will head out to Third Beach  TH.  We will stop to see the sea caves on the backside of Strawberry Point and enjoy some low tide beach combing.  Retrieve our cars at Oil City TH.

Here is the Gaia proposed route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/RSh0iV20NdIL3L3VOSD97lqd/

This is an exploratory trip--meaning it is not a sure thing that all thing will work perfectly.  There are several itinerary items that look highly probably but are not guaranteed--namely how bad is the buchwacking down to the beach and will there be suitable camps there and will the creeks have water.  All are likely good.  The tides will be low for all needed cross points.

This is Leader's Permission Only Trip.  Use the Permission Tab on the right side-bar to contact the leader. Please address all of the following questions or concerns.

1)  I am familiar with backpacking on the Olympic Coast and am comfortable with climbing ropes, ladders and dealing with muddy trails and steep sections.  I have the conditioning and strength of pull myself up ropes on steep slopes with a full pack.  Yes or No?  Please list coastal trips you have been on and when.

2) I understand that this trip has off-travel travel and it may be brushy  and difficult at times.  I have experience and comfort with this form of travel.  Yes or No?

3)  I understand that while the logistic are well thought out, this trip is nonetheless explorational and everything may not work as assumed and planned. I can flex with what we find in the field and work to find the best outcome possible. Yes or No?

4) I understand that this trip requires a shuttle between two trailheads and I will help out with the shuttle if needed. Yes or No?

5) I understand that Olympic NP charges $8 per night per person, plus the Recreation.gov charge and I will reimburse the leader $18 for the trip.  If I cancel within a week of the trip I may not receive a refund or credit and still need to pay the fee. Yes or No?

6)  What outdoor activities or training have you been doing over the winter or spring to demonstrate that you are currently in condition for this early season strenuous backpack trip?

7) If you have not backpacked with me before, please provide a reference with someone in the Mountaineers Backpacking.

This trip is weather dependent and may be canceled, changed to a different location or the dates adjusted a day or two to make it a feasible and enjoyable time.

You can submit permission requests any time.  Registration opens 4/10 for those granted permission.  I hope you can join me.  Rob

One way shuttle trip from Oil City TH north to Third Beach TH.   We will need to leave the starting TH no later than 11:30 AM to clear the rocks south of Jefferson Cove.  Before the trip begins we will need to place a car at the Third Beach TH and then drive a second car south to Oil City.  This can be partially done the evening before with participants car camping at Mora Campground, or folks can head out quite early Thursday morning, the same day the trip begins.   It is a  about a 4 1/2  hour drive from Seattle to the coast.

We will firm up logistic closer to the trip time.