Weekend Gem Central Olympic Coast

The Olympic Coast is one of the best unspoiled stretches of wilderness beaches left in the United States. Scenic sea stacks, hundreds of tide pools with aquatic sea life of every color in the rainbow and deep green forests conveniently located next to epic camp spots where you can soak in the sights. First, you need to get to the southern trail head, get a bear canister and permits, more info here.  It is best to gather a big group of friends in order to make this one way trip cheaper, as you need a shuttle ride from Willie Nelson (no relation)You will travel past these attractions and more on this 25 mile trip (The Park says 20 miles, but they didn’t count the hike to the beach). As bald eagles fly high overhead, you round rugged headlands that seem to guard every cove you pass. View the mysterious petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks and glimpse the life of the native peoples that inhabited this rugged stretch of beach.

This trail is open is open year round but is best in the months of April, May and June when the majority of bad winter storms are done battering the shore line and slick boardwalks have had a chance to dry out a little. Spring is also ideal if you would like to steer clear of the crowds of people in the summer and have a more solitary wilderness experience. This is a 3 to 4 day trip mostly because of the high and low tides that dictate when you can round the more ominous head lands that separate the coves which contain the camp spots. Get the Custom Correct or Green Trails Map for this area and bring a tide chart along for a safe passage. There can also be a lot of slippery rocks and logs that can slow your progress if you rush these tide parameters and make this trip a lot less fun.