Return to the Olympic Coast Trail. 50 years later

 While attending the U of W several of us hiked the Olympic Coast 'Trail from Lake Ozette to Rialto Beach Via Cape Alava.   Cape Alava is the most westerly point in the lower 48 states.  

Spring Break 1971 we visited the archeological dig at Cape Alava.   The photo to the left is from the Makah Museum site.  We were there soon after it was found.  So Cool.

Steve, Bobbe, Jan, & Dan

Spring Break 1972 we also hiked the trail again. Weather was damp but we all had a good time.   One story from that trip was we did not check the tide tables as close as we should have.   We came upon a headland that passage was blocked by high water.  We set up camp behind a large log planning to hike around the headland in the morning.  Late that night we heard  some banging and the log between us and the ocean shook.  Opps the tide was higher than we expected.  We quickly scrambled up the hillside and spent the rest of the night there .

At times we had to hike on beach logs

Bobbe wishing me luck

This spring 2022 I attempted to do the hike again 50 years after my last trip.  None of the original group was able to make the trip this year.  I chose to go solo this time.   One thing different in 2022 is I carry a Garmin Inreach Mini.  It is a very small satellite phone.  I am able to send and receive text messages with it anywhere in the world.   This makes Bobbe and my children a little happier. 

The first day I got a late start.  Many of the roads to Lake Ozette were closed due to mud slides last winter.   I only hiked to Cape Alava and set up camp.  I could have gone further but too tired to continue safely.                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                          

The rain forest soils are very wet.  Much of the trail is on raised cedar planks.  I heard the NPS is going to remove the planks and replace them with gravel.  Too bad I liked hiking on the cedar plank trail.  

Note the color of the water in the photo.  The rain forest has huge quantities of organic matter on the soil.  Tannins leach out of the duff and give the water it's classic tea color.  After filtering it maintains it's tea color but safe top drink

The second day I hiked to Yellow Bluff camp site.  The weather was not bad but not good either.   A little rain and wind is ok. Luckily I had good rain gear. 

One thing I found on this trip was  the huge accumulation if litter. I do not remember any large accumulation of litter during previous trips  If this is what has accumulated in the past 50 years what will it look like for my grandchildren?

The beach was a mix of sand, small stones, cobbles, large stones & reef.  Most of the footing was good but some areas were quite slippery.  

On the second day I found a small fresh water spring in the sand.  For some reason no tannins there.  Once again filtered and it was good to drink.  

On the third day I checked the weather forecast and it appeared to be OK.  Little did I know that the forecast was way off.   I started to Norwegian Memorial for my fourth nights camp.  About half way I realized the weather had deteriorated to the point that continuing was not safe.  I aborted the trip and retraced my track to South Sand Beach campsite. I learned the next day that 2 inches of rain fell at Ozette Ranger station and wind were recorded to 50 mph.  I contacted Bobbe with my Inreach Mini and had her meet me at Ozette trail head the next morning at 10 am  After the rain the final day the rain and wind stopped.  The small trickles of water on the beach from shore turned into major streams.