Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Olympic Coast South: The Wildcatter Coast

Be ready to depart the Third Beach trailhead Friday morning at 8:00am.  An incoming tide mandates a prompt departure. 

This two night, 3 day trip starts at Third Beach in the Olympic National Park and travels south along the ocean coast to Oil City.  See the wta.org trip description here  www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/toleak-point  We'll be camping at Toleak Point and Mosquito Creek.

Due to ocean tides, an 8am departure Friday morning is required.  Hotels are available in Forks twenty minutes from the trail head, or arrange for camping the night before. 

Four headland crossings are required and involve steep ascents and descents with ropes, ladders, and brush.  If there's recent rains, expect mud.  Some of the beach travel is over slick boulders and uneven terrain.  The majority of the trip is on lovely sand beaches during the day at lower tide levels, but balance and agility are required for the more difficult headland challenges and creek crossings.  Good fitness and an understanding that our pace must be maintained for our group to meet tide limitations in our route are required.

Expected trip costs: carpool reimbursement to your drivers (arrival, departure, and trailhead shuttle) estimated $90, Olympic National Park entrance fee (your carpool's America the Beautiful pass or share of  car's on-line Park pass), two night camping fee reimbursement to trip leader (estimated $18),  optional Thursday night accommodations in the Forks area.

Early priority registration will be given to students in Sarah's mentor group from June 26 through July  2 at 8pm.  Then any qualified B3 student can email Sarah at hess@whidbey.com for leader permission to sign up; confirm you understand the notes above and provide recent backpack destinations/leaders you've completed this spring/summer.  Permission requests are not accepted before July 2.

More information will be provided as trip details are finalized.