Third Beach

Trip

Backpack - Third Beach

Three day, two night backpack Thursday 8-5-21 to Saturday 8-7-21 from Third Beach continuing to Oil City (~17 miles). Camping night 1 at Toleak Point (6.4 miles); camping night 2 at Mosquito Cove (4.6 miles); hike out on Saturday to Oil City (6.1 miles).

  • Moderate/Strenuous
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 17.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft
  • Pace: Slow

Meet at Kalaloch Ranger Station at 9AM

156954 US-101

Forks, WA 98331

A beautiful one way, two night backpack on the Washington coast. To make this trip possible requires a car shuttle since it is a one way trip. To make this trip successful requires tide timing (very important).  For these reasons it is leader permission required. 

Leader permission required, with permission considered based on potential participants providing verification of, and agreement to:
1. COVID fully vaccinated.
2. Provide reimbursement for permits of $17 per person to leader before hike .
3. Agreement to start and depart from camps at pre-determined times . Timing tides is critical in specific areas--trip cannot be completed unless tide is sufficiently low--requiring departures at specified times as follows:
1a. 1PM departure from Third beach trailhead Thursday, 8-5-21, to reach first camp at Toleak Point Cove (< 4 ft tide required; low tide is at 5:20PM (3.61 ft). Meeting earlier to leave car at end destination of hike, Oil City trailhead.
2a. 5AM departure from Mosquito Cove camp Saturday 8-7-21 to afford time to hike around the point south of Jefferson Cove (<2 ft tide required; low tide is at 6:14AM (.086 ft). The next low tide, low enough for passage, is not until the next morning).
4. Participate in car shuttle. Participants must be fully vaccinated. One additional car needed for the car shuttle, leaving car at Oil City trailhead, and carpooling to Third Beach trailhead, and then retrieving the car from Third Beach trailhead on Saturday. Drivers will be given priority in sign up.
5. Bring and use bear canisters--required by Olympic National Park.
6. Follow human waste disposal procedures of Olympic National Park.
7. Physical ability to ascend and descend steep rope ladders. Hike requires ascending/descending steep rope ladders where the trail crosses inland (gloves recommended).
8. Variable hiking conditions: Hike may be muddy, and will include hiking on variables surfaces including sand, rocks, sections of steep trails, muddy trails, boardwalks (slippery when wet) and crossing streams estimated to not exceed 2 feet in depth (but variable depending on recent precipitation). Extra footwear is recommended.
9. Provide description of equivalent experience (2 night backpack, ~17 miles).For more information please see: 

https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/south-coast-route.htm

When requesting permission please address each of the above points #1-9 (2 points for item 3.)

Route/Place

Third Beach


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water filter
  • Bear canister 
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste

Recommended:

  • Trekking poles for steep sections of trail
  • Gloves to protect hands on rope ladders
  • Footwear suitable for water crossings
Trip Reports