We are definitely trying to make the most of our time in Washington and since the weather has been gradually warming up, with beautiful blue skies and sunshine, we cannot resist getting outside. And, because hiking is free and camping is pretty inexpensive, we have been doing A LOT of it lately. Granted, our excursion to Oregon was not cheap, it was still a pretty inexpensive weekend getaway and worth the drive!
We discovered one place, though, called Cape Alava, via one of our trail/hiking books. We went out last weekend, and it is a good 3 mile hike to the coast, from Lake Ozette, and then another 3 mile hike back to the parking area, (so 6 round trip). The loop itself, to Sand Point, is 9 miles total. We got there when tide was fairly high, so we didn't travel down the coast too far, as you can make a complete loop (3 miles down the beach and then another 3 miles on a second trail, that splits at the start to Sand Point). We were stoked to see so many campsites at Cape Alava, that we decided, hey, we could hike out here and camp one night. Why not?
So, with the weather being in the 70s and clear skies, no rain, in the forecast, we coaxed our friends Nikki and Steve into joining us, (and borrowing some of their backpacking gear), and trekked out to the wild Pacific Ocean for a coastal camping excursion. We decided to drive out Friday night and camp at Lake Ozette and then trek out Saturday morning, camp, and hike the rest of the loop Sunday, Mother's Day. On the way out we did see a herd of elk, which was awesome, grazing in a field.
The trip ended up being a blast! I can officially cross off "sleeping on the beach" on the bucket list. We had a perfect camp site that looked out at Ozette Island, a bird sanctuary, and the ocean. We watched the tide roll in and out over the course of the evening and literally listened to the sea lions barking all night long, who we assumed were on another island due northwest of where we camped. We ventured out to examine tide pools and saw sea anemone's, urchins, starfish, hermit crabs, and small fish. You could hear other crabs scuttle, click, and clatter against the rocks as they hid when we approached. We gazed in awe at the numerous bald eagles and took pics, as close as we could get, to the sea lions that were sunning themselves on nearby rocks.
After lunch, we decided a 1 mile trek down the beach to some Makah petroglyphs wouldn't be so bad, so we did that, while looking at tide pools and talking. We encountered some deer and enjoyed the petroglyphs at the Wedding Rock. Our final conclusion, however, is that they really need to mark that rock better---it was difficult to find. Our second final conclusion, after a 2 hour trek of just 1 mile down the beach, which was more like a rock and shell bottom of a river without water, was, um, hell no we are not hiking this tomorrow with our packs, and opted to take the same trail back out.
Our evening was spent making a large and extremely hot campfire on the beach, watching for whales, and listening to the ocean and sea lions. We enjoyed the sunset, good conversation, dinner, and a few adult beverages. We slept like babies, for sure, spent from our hike and carrying our gear. But, as babies are, Madelynne had her dad and I up bright and early, so we enjoyed some family time on Sunday morning with a walk on the beach.
As we enjoyed the final moments Sunday, we were lucky enough to see some sea lions jumping out the water and hunting, beyond the seaweed and kelp line near Ozette Island, and then FINALLY, spotted a whale. We could see her spout with our naked eye, but needed binoculars to really catch her in action. It truly topped my list of Mother's Day gifts and I could not have been more excited and more happy to have witnessed that!
All in all, the trip was great. We literally had an ocean front view for less than $12, and could not have asked for a more perfect weekend with awesome friends, an amazing husband, and sweetheart Madelynne.
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| In her new hiking pack |
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| Cape Alava at high tide |
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| Crossing a bridge |
We discovered one place, though, called Cape Alava, via one of our trail/hiking books. We went out last weekend, and it is a good 3 mile hike to the coast, from Lake Ozette, and then another 3 mile hike back to the parking area, (so 6 round trip). The loop itself, to Sand Point, is 9 miles total. We got there when tide was fairly high, so we didn't travel down the coast too far, as you can make a complete loop (3 miles down the beach and then another 3 miles on a second trail, that splits at the start to Sand Point). We were stoked to see so many campsites at Cape Alava, that we decided, hey, we could hike out here and camp one night. Why not?
So, with the weather being in the 70s and clear skies, no rain, in the forecast, we coaxed our friends Nikki and Steve into joining us, (and borrowing some of their backpacking gear), and trekked out to the wild Pacific Ocean for a coastal camping excursion. We decided to drive out Friday night and camp at Lake Ozette and then trek out Saturday morning, camp, and hike the rest of the loop Sunday, Mother's Day. On the way out we did see a herd of elk, which was awesome, grazing in a field.
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| Madelynne on the way out |
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| Our campsite at Lake Ozette |
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| Lake Ozette in the early morning |
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| The moon |
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| Snuggled up in the morning |
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| Can sleep anywhere |
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| Steve and Nikki's Vanagan |
The trip ended up being a blast! I can officially cross off "sleeping on the beach" on the bucket list. We had a perfect camp site that looked out at Ozette Island, a bird sanctuary, and the ocean. We watched the tide roll in and out over the course of the evening and literally listened to the sea lions barking all night long, who we assumed were on another island due northwest of where we camped. We ventured out to examine tide pools and saw sea anemone's, urchins, starfish, hermit crabs, and small fish. You could hear other crabs scuttle, click, and clatter against the rocks as they hid when we approached. We gazed in awe at the numerous bald eagles and took pics, as close as we could get, to the sea lions that were sunning themselves on nearby rocks.
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| Three backpackers |
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| Checking out the map |
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| View from camp Low tide |
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| Second view-low tide |
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| Hermit crabs! |
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| Bald eagle |
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| The boys |
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| Baby Starfish |
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| Starfish |
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| At camp |
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| Literally didn't leave this spot the whole time we were there. |
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| So majestic! |
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| Sea lions sunbathing |
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| See lions! |
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| Looking in the pools |
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| Eagle in flight |
After lunch, we decided a 1 mile trek down the beach to some Makah petroglyphs wouldn't be so bad, so we did that, while looking at tide pools and talking. We encountered some deer and enjoyed the petroglyphs at the Wedding Rock. Our final conclusion, however, is that they really need to mark that rock better---it was difficult to find. Our second final conclusion, after a 2 hour trek of just 1 mile down the beach, which was more like a rock and shell bottom of a river without water, was, um, hell no we are not hiking this tomorrow with our packs, and opted to take the same trail back out.
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| Tidepools and the rocky path/beach |
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| Petroglyphs at Wedding Rock |
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| Me by petroglyphs |
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| Japan Tsunami Debris |
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| Holding a whale rib |
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| Can you spot the deer? |
Our evening was spent making a large and extremely hot campfire on the beach, watching for whales, and listening to the ocean and sea lions. We enjoyed the sunset, good conversation, dinner, and a few adult beverages. We slept like babies, for sure, spent from our hike and carrying our gear. But, as babies are, Madelynne had her dad and I up bright and early, so we enjoyed some family time on Sunday morning with a walk on the beach.
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| Watching the ocean |
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| Even Madelynne wanted in on the action |
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| Sun beginning to set |
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| Tang and Vodka-yes please! |
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| Campfire on beach |
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| Sunset |
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| island where the sea lions were barking from |
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| Pacific Ocean at night |
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| Peeking from tent |
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| Morning mist/fog |
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| Blue heron |
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| With daddy |
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| Snuggled up on the beach |
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| Chipmunk tried getting in the bear can |
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| Picture through the scope |
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| Looking at the ocean |
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| Playing in the sand |
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| Playing |
As we enjoyed the final moments Sunday, we were lucky enough to see some sea lions jumping out the water and hunting, beyond the seaweed and kelp line near Ozette Island, and then FINALLY, spotted a whale. We could see her spout with our naked eye, but needed binoculars to really catch her in action. It truly topped my list of Mother's Day gifts and I could not have been more excited and more happy to have witnessed that!
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| Close up of eagle |
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| Starfish |
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| Clearly pondering something |
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| Steve and Nikki |
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| Sunset pic |
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| "Sea Lion Island" |
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| Ozette Island |
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| Snuggled in his cocoon |
All in all, the trip was great. We literally had an ocean front view for less than $12, and could not have asked for a more perfect weekend with awesome friends, an amazing husband, and sweetheart Madelynne.
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