Hiking
BEACHES BETWEEN CLALLAM BAY AND NEAH BAY
Much of this coastline is accessible, with pull offs stretching from five
miles west of Sekiu, near the mouth of the Hoko River, all the way to Neah
Bay. During the winter months, a high concentration of bald eagles can be
viewed sitting along Hwy 112 and the beaches of this corridor. All year
long, gray, Orca, pilot and humpback whales can be viewed while walking
the beaches of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
These gentle giants feed along the edges of the vast kelp forests located
along this coastline. Other marine mammals easily viewed while walking these
beaches include porpoises, dolphins, sea lions, seals, river otters all
year long, and sea otters during the winter months.
CAPE ALAVA - SAND POINT TRIANGLE HIKE - FROM LAKE OZETTE IN OLYMPIC
NATIONAL PARK
Just three miles west of Clallam Bay on Hwy. 112 is the twenty one mile
turnoff to the northwest entrance to Olympic National Park and the beautiful
Lake Ozette wilderness area. From the Ranger Station at Lake Ozette, the
trailhead for the world famous Cape Alava trail heads to the north and the
Sand Point trail heads to the south. Both trails are three miles of easy
cedar-planked walking to beautiful primitive beaches. Along the three-mile
ocean leg between these two points, hikers will find the 54 ancient petroglyphs
carved at Wedding Rock. The full nine-mile loop hike can be easily completed
at low tide and takes five - six hours. 
Cape
Alava is the site of an ancient Indian village that was buried by a mud
slide over 500 years ago.
Excavated in the 70's, the relics are now preserved and beautifully displayed
at the Makah Museum. At 7,787 acres, Ozette is one of the largest natural
lakes in Washington, with 57 miles of shoreline, and is very deep, at over
300 feet. Campgrounds at the lake's edge and nearby invite you to picnic,
fish, swim, canoe or kayak to the many islands. On Lake Ozette, Erickson
Bay Campground can only be reached by boat. Boat launches are available
at Swan Bay, Rainier Landing or the campground near the Ranger Station.
CAPE FLATTERY
One of the most beautiful spots on earth, Cape Flattery can be reached by
following the signs out of Neah Bay, past the Tribal Center, five more miles
to the north. The hike from your car is just slightly more than a half mile,
gently sloping downhill. Observations decks have been built on both sides,
and the end of the Cape, providing wonderful views into the sea caves, and
out to the lighthouse on Tatoosh Island. Cape Flattery is the most northwestern
point in the continental United States. It is an excellent viewing spot
for migrating raptors in the spring, gray whales all year long, and especially
during the fall and spring migrations, humpback whales, pilot whales, Orca
whales, sea otters and puffins. The northwest coastline of Washington has
witnessed a successful sea otter relocation project, from total extinction,
their numbers are climbing yearly. The highest concentration can be found
from Tatoosh south, with the females and pups residing near Cape Alava.
A colony of Murres nests on Tatoosh Island providing a safe location for
this very rare and special species of coastal birds. Cormorants nest on
the walls of the sea caves to the north of the Cape.
HOBUCK BEACH
West of Neah Bay, take the bridge by the Tribal Center. Take a hard right
turn off the bridge onto the gravel road to Hobuck Beach. This road will
meet up again with the paved road south to the fish hatchery. Hobuck is
a favorite local public beach known for it's flat and sandy shoreline, making
it very popular with surfers, surf-kayakers, and families.
MERRILL & RING TOUR
A tour of a working commercial forest begins at the old logging camp at
Pysht, ten miles east of Clallam Bay on Hwy 112. For reservation scheduling
please contact the Merrill & Ring Pysht Tree Farm at 360-963-2378.
ONE MILE BEACH
Heading west along the coastline from Sekiu, One Mile Beach is a popular
hike with local residents. Stop at Olson's Resort for directions.
SHI SHI BEACH
To access the Shi Shi trailhead, go through Neah Bay, head out of town to
the west, turn south on the Bridge by the Makah Tribal center and go to
the end of the road. This trail has been beautifully partially renovated
by the Makah Tribe with a new parking lot before the gait to the Fish Hatchery.
The trail is less than three miles one way. Shi Shi was named the best wilderness
beach in the United States by the Travel Channel (of the Discovery Channel)
in 2003. Shi Shi beach is located within the National Marine Sanctuary and
the coastal section of Olympic National Park. Point of Arches, one of the
most photographed coastal spots on the Olympic Peninsula is at the south
end of Shi Shi.
SLIP POINT
In Clallam Bay, this historic Coast Guard lighthouse site still retains
the U.S. Light House Service “Keepers Residence”, a Queen Anne
style duplex with original interior, and an automated light and horn buoy,
on the east side of the bay, to guide mariners. The Slip Point tide pools
are the very best in the area, showing off magnificent sea creatures at
low tide to catch the attention of the casual beachcomber or the expert
marine biologist. Future plans include rebuilding an exact replica of the
Slip Point Lighthouse on this site.