JenRugg's New Itinerary

Miles of Saltwater Shorelines

Clallam and Jefferson Counties combined have over 400 miles of saltwater coastline. The inland waters of the 61-mile glacial fjord of the Hood Canal, the glacier-carved Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Dungeness Spit and the wild, rugged Pacific Coast comprise differing habitats and nearly endless opportunities to explore.

Tide pooling, beach hikes and days-long backpacking excursions are a grat way to experience the calming rhythms of waves and tides and the view the wildlife and sea creatures of the tidal zone.

Location

Rialto Beach
United States
48° 13' 14.8224" N, 124° 7' 6.186" W
See map: Google Maps

Cape Flattery Trail

As you near Neah Bay, look for tufted puffin nesting on the sea stacks from spring to early summer, and common murres perched on Tatoosh Island. Look in the water for bobbing sooty shearwaters. During the spring thousands of migrating hawks, including red-tail and sharp-shinned hawks, kettle over Cape Flattery before flying across the Strait to Vancouver Island. Occasionally, large flocks of 200 to 300 sandhill cranes entertain lucky observers with their graceful formations and mysterious trilling.

Location

Cape Flattery Neah Bay, WA 98357
United States
48° 21' 57.4344" N, 124° 36' 41.7744" W
See map: Google Maps

Explore the Northwest Coast Hwy 112

Head to the most Northwestern tip of the continental US exploring Cape Flattery, walk along Hobuck Beach and visit the internationally-known Makah Museum.

Along Hwy 112 are the communities of Clallam Bay, Sekiu and Neah Bay with spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. Birders will delight in the variety of sea and migratory fowl found in this region, a list of sites and species is available by request or on-line.

Location

Northwest Coast Neah Bay, WA
United States
48° 21' 40.4532" N, 124° 39' 24.2568" W
See map: Google Maps

Ozette Wilderness Hike

Travelers will find the northwest entrance to Olympic National Park’s 57 miles of coastal wilderness at Lake Ozette.* (From Hwy 112 past Clallam Bay, turn southwest onto the Hoko-Ozette Road, follow 21 miles to the Ozette Ranger Station.) Three miles of plank-and-stair trail lead the hiker to Cape Alava, with rocky shores and reefs to explore at low tide. Cape Alava is near the site of an ancient Makah village partially buried in a mudslide over 500 years ago. Artifacts recovered from this site can be viewed at the Makah Museum in Neah Bay.

Location

Lake Ozette
United States
48° 9' 13.9932" N, 124° 41' 21.7572" W
See map: Google Maps

Around Forks

The town of Forks is situated on a broad prairie 15 miles from the ocean (in the Quillayute Valley). About 5,000 folks live in the greater Forks area, and you’ll find restaurants, lodgings, shops and services in this friendly, rural community.

Location

Forks Forks, WA
United States
47° 57' 7.0524" N, 124° 23' 7.1664" W
See map: Google Maps

Twilight self tour in Forks

If you are a fan of the Twilight book series, you can come to Forks and tour the sites that are featured in the books written by Stephenie Meyer.  Just stop by the Forks Chamber of Commerce visitor center (1411 South Forks Ave.) to receive your free Twilight packet.  It includes trivia tests from all four books along with a Forks Twilight map showing where the sites are located. Hours are 10am to 5pm Monday - Saturday and 11am - 4pm on Sundays.

Location

Forks Chamber of Commerce
1411 South Forks Ave.
Forks, WA 98331
United States
47° 55' 37.2648" N, 124° 22' 45.5988" W
See map: Google Maps

Around La Push

This drive-to beach is a beautiful spot to enjoy the surf and watch shorebirds, eagles and seals. The 1-1/4 mile trek north to “Hole-in-the-Wall” begins here.

Location

La Push WA
United States
47° 54' 30.9744" N, 124° 38' 20.3676" W
See map: Google Maps

Makah Cultural Center

The Makah Cultural and Research Center is world famous. Many of the items in the museum are from the "Ozette Dig," which yielded Makah artifacts from a village partially buried in a mudslide in the 1500s. The Ozette archeological collection is the largest pre-contact Northwest Coast Indian collection in the country. Whaling, sealing and fishing gear, basketry and replicas of a 60-foot cedar longhouse and oceangoing canoes are displayed. The center also houses the Makah language program, working to preserve and teach Makah language and culture.

1880 Bay View
Neah Bay, WA 98357

Location

Makah Cultural Center
1880 Bay View
Neah Bay, WA 98357
United States
48° 22' 3.0504" N, 124° 37' 21.6048" W
See map: Google Maps