Itinerary
- Day 1
Olympia to Shi Shi Beach
You'll start with a 4.5-hour shuttle from your hotel in Olympia, driving along scenic routes beside Hood Canal with views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward Vancouver Island. After stopping for a picnic lunch at the trailhead, you'll hike 4 miles through coastal forest to reach Shi Shi Beach. From there, set up camp overlooking sea stacks and cliffs, have dinner in the backcountry, and settle in for the night listening to the ocean.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch at trailhead), Dinner (Hearty backcountry dinner)
Included Activities
- Scenic shuttle drive along Hood Canal
- Picnic lunch at trailhead
- Hike to Shi Shi Beach (4 miles, 200 feet elevation loss)
- Camp setup with ocean views
- Backcountry dinner
Landmarks/POIs Hood Canal Strait of Juan de Fuca Shi Shi Beach - Day 2
Shi Shi Beach to Seafield Creek
This morning you'll hike 4.5 miles south along the beach, checking out caves, sea stacks, and tidal pools as you go. You'll ford small creeks and navigate tidal flats covered with barnacle-encrusted boulders when the tide is low, or scramble over steep overland routes with handlines when tide comes in. By afternoon you'll reach Seafield Creek and set up camp, leaving time to relax and have dinner before the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Wonderful backcountry dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike south along beach (4.5 miles, 1100 feet elevation gain/loss)
- Explore coastal caves
- Explore sea stacks and tidal pools
- Ford small creeks
- Navigate tidal flats and headlands
- Backcountry dinner
Landmarks/POIs Seafield Creek - Day 3
Seafield Creek to Cape Alava
Continue along the coast past one more significant headland, then ford the Ozette River at low tide (bring water shoes since you'll get wet crossing). Once across, the toughest sections are behind you. Head south toward Cape Alava, the westernmost point of the contiguous United States, and watch for Tskawahyah Island to the west. Keep an eye out for sea life during your travels, then settle in for one final dramatic sunset and night on the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Navigate final headland
- Ford Ozette River at low tide
- Hike to Cape Alava (4.3 miles, 500 feet elevation gain/loss)
- Wildlife observation
- Sunset viewing
Landmarks/POIs Ozette River Cape Alava Tskawahyah Island - Day 4
Cape Alava to Olympia
Head south past Wedding Rocks, looking for ancient petroglyphs left by Makah people from centuries past. Continue to Sand Point and turn inland, where boardwalks guide you through coastal forests back to Ozette Lake. Meet your vehicle there, have a final lunch together, then drive 4.5 hours back to Olympia to finish your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Final lunch together before return shuttle)
Included Activities
- Hike past Wedding Rocks (6.1 miles, 400 feet elevation gain/350 feet loss)
- Search for ancient Petroglyphs
- Hike through coastal forests on boardwalks
- Final lunch together
Landmarks/POIs Wedding Rocks Sand Point Ozette Lake
