This past weekend, my friends and I re-visited the Ozette Triangle, a beautiful spot on the Olympic Peninsula coastline. California's got miles and miles of coastline, which is great in the case you'd like to share it with the teeming masses. Oregon's rugged coastline is great for driving alongside, but with a freeway lining nearly the whole thing, solitude is short. So what better place to enjoy the Pacific coastline than Washington?
Departing for the hike.
By virtue of having a sparsely populated peninsula, Washington's coastline shines. It has drawn me back every year, the misunderstood label of "rain forest" perhaps the only thing keeping this place from turning into the Grand Canyon in terms of visitors (and that's perfectly fine by me).
John emerges from the wood.
This particular stretch of coast line is known as the Ozette Triangle, a 9 mile loop starting from the northern tip of Lake Ozette.
The tide was out - way out.
It is tough to get to though - a mere 4.5 hours drive can easily balloon to 6+ each way depending on ferry schedules and traffic. By the time we arrived - probably among the last of the backpackers for the day - we had snatched up the last patch of sites at South Sandpoint.
Approaching Sand Point.
This hike gives you almost everything. Boardwalk covered swampland, sun covered prairie, razor sharp rocks, and finally, beautiful, sandy beach.
Bonding.
The weather was warm and although no campfires are allowed, the weekend was filled with a lot of laughter and talk and stargazing, a great introduction to the wonders of Washington's coast for a couple of first-time friends. Its small wonder I always come back - the coast never disappoints.
Sunset at Sandpoint
