Intro to Backpacking Field Trip - Olympic Coast North: The Shipwreck Coast

We’ll be hiking along the ocean.  The travel can be simple at low tide on flat sandy beaches, and quite difficult as there are unpassable headlands that require overland travel on steep, muddy trails.  Tides will be working against us on this trip so travel could be above the clear sand, depending on when we choose to travel. We’ll visit the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum in Neah Bay after dropping two cars off at the Lake Ozette Trailhead. 

 Be prepared for climbing makeshift ladders over muddy/rocky points, hiking over slippery boulders, and dodging incoming waves.  We’re planning to spend our last night (reservation pending) on the north shore of the Ozette river with an early morning, chilly ford on the way out to the car (at low tide). Don’t underestimate this hike.  The scenery, location, and difficulty can catch you off guard.  This is a remote wilderness area and travel can be quite difficult.  

Bear canisters are REQUIRED for this trip by Olympic National Park.  

Preference to Tacoma Branch Introduction to Backpacking Students.
Trip will open to all Mountaineers based on availability on April 28.

We’ll meet in Puyallup or Tacoma based on where participants are coming from at 6am Friday morning.  Because this is a through hike, we’ll need 3 additional drivers to volunteer.  There are fees for reservations, parking and permits across both Olympic National Park and the Makah Reservation.  Costs will be shared and will be in the neighborhood of $30 per person plus gas money for the drivers.