Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast Kayak and Hike
Featuring some of the most breathtakingly beautiful wilderness coastline in the world, Olympic National Park is a perfect place for beginning backpackers to get their “feet wet.” After a relaxed kayak tour on Ozette Lake, we set out on our backpack of the Ozette Loop, one of the most stunning and accessible routes on the coast. Navigating the dramatic headlands of the wilderness coast, we’ll pause to admire ancient rock art, camp along the coast, pass by an archaeologically significant indigenous whaling village and watch for whales, eagles, seals and other magnificent northwest wildlife on this superb weekend getaway.
Location: Ozette lake , Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast, Washington.
Difficulty: Beginer
Recent Olympic National Park Trip Reports
3 Day Hiking & Kayaking:
Itinerary:
Day 1 Your trip begins today at Noon. Meet your guide(s) at Ozette Campground for group introductions and a trip orientation, including a review of the trip itinerary, and lunch. In the afternoon, look forward to a quick intro to kayaking and then a relaxed evening kayak tour around the north end of the beautiful and historic Lake Ozette. After we’re through paddling, we return to Ozette Campground for a warm and healthy bite to eat before settling into a cozy sleeping bag. Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 2 We wake to coffee and a hearty breakfast before breaking down camp and packing our backpacks. Our hike leaves from the Ozette Ranger Station and quickly crosses the Ozette River before turning southwest towards Sand Point. We hike atop a long boardwalk, keeping us clear of the often muddy and difficult terrain through a maze of salal, shrubs, and a few cedar trees. This first part of our backpack trip is relatively easy going most of the way to Sand Point, where we’ll stop for views and lunch. After lunch we turn north on the open coast as we navigate towards our first of two headlands. After pausing to admire the petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks we move through tide pools as we continue on to Cape Alava and establish our backcountry camp for the evening. When time permits we often establish camp around a stand of large sitka spruce, then continue north to the site of a former Makah whaling village which many now claim to be one of the most important archaeological digs in North America. All meals provided.
Day 3 We wake to the sound of waves crashing on the beach, enjoy breakfast and then leisurely break camp today as we enjoy more gorgeous coastal views. After a few last beach photos we turn east and once again travel along the boardwalks to complete our loop, passing Ahlstrom’s Prairie, at one time the westernmost homestead in the United States. Skunk cabbage, hemlock, spruce and deer fern line our path as we make our way back to the Ozette Ranger Station and our vehicles for lunch and good-byes. Breakfast and lunch included.Note on Itinerary:
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. This trip is operated rain or shine.
Closest Airport(s):
Major: Seattle-Tacoma International, Seattle, WA, 200 miles, 4.5 hours
Smaller: William R. Fairchild International, Port Angeles, WA, 70 miles, 2 hours
Sekiu Airport, Sekiu/Clallam Bay Area, WA, 25 miles, 1 hour
Price Includes:
Professional instruction and guiding; all meals from lunch on day one through lunch on the final day; 2-person tents; group cooking gear; group first-aid kit, water filter; campsite & permit fees; kayaks and kayaking equipment.
Not Included:
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Qualifications:
This trip is rated Moderate (3). Participants will be carrying their own backpacks with weights of 35-40 lbs. over varied terrain. Please make sure your backpack is fitted to your body before the trip. Trip members need to be in good physical condition. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. Day hiking with a pack and making sure your hiking boots are broken in before your trip is key. Cycling, running, walking and weight training are also good conditioners for this type of outing. The better shape you are in, the more you’ll enjoy all that Olympic National Park has to offer.
Weather:
Daytime temperatures usually range between 60° - 80° F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 40s - 50s. Rain is always a possibility in the Pacific Northwest so adequate raingear is important.
Registration - is handeled by REI Adventures for this trip
