Any tips on hiking coastal regions of Olympic National Park (WA)?

Question

Some friends and I have permits to do a multi-day backpacking trip along the northern coast of the Olympic National Park near Seattle (the longest undeveloped stretch of coastline in the lower 48 states).

We are all experienced backpackers, but this is our first time backpacking along an ocean coast and having to deal with tide tables, headlands, log jams, etc.

Has anybody hiked or backpacked the Cape Alava area recently?
How was it? Any important tips or suggestions that are specific to that area beyond the normal backpacking stuff? Can I wear hiking boots or will my feet be in the water much of the time?

Thanks

Answer 1

We did some trips out there during our 3 years in Seattle. Check the tides! (as shedderb suggests) and try to do any tricky bits on a falling tide to have more options and a better assessment of just how long you have to get around a headlands, etc. Print out several copies and discuss each night and morning the tides as it relates to that days hike.

River/stream crossing can be a pain. Wool or fleece socks in Tevas work for some. I usually wear my usually trail shoes and socks and strip my feet for each crossing but it slows the group down. A wringable synthetic towel is good for drying off after each crossing. REI has them.

One or two 5-foot hiking sticks/poles can really help in those stream crossings. Not everyone needs one because you can toss them back to others. 100-feet of 1/4" line, if you snug it up with a trucker's hitch, can make a nice handrail for those crossings, too.

When it is not rainy, it is foggy, so nylon and polypro everything. So it can dry as you wear it.

Double zip-lock anything electronic. Dunking on a stream crossing and the salt air in general is NOT good for them. Cell phones die after 0.07 seconds in the ocean, IME. Better yet, bring a waterproof/disposable camera and don't worry. Consider a waterproof phone float bag from Westmarine for the cell phone (which presumably you have, turned off, for possible emergency use).

Bring a stove, sometimes all the driftwood is wet (and huge!). If you've got some extra low tides, bring a WA fishing license and go clamming (manila and little necks on rocky beaches, razor clams on sandy beaches). Steam with a little butter, garlic and herbs. It should be berry season down there now. Salmon berries like that coastal setting. Bring a small edible plants guidebook if you're not familiar with the many local berries and stalks.

Answer 2

Great choice!
Not having hiked Cape Alva (although I have done a bit at Sand Point) - my hiking on the Olympic Penisula is usually steep mountains - it is a rain forest wich makes for some great lush green steep hikes and some incredible waterfalls!
After researching this one I will have to go! Will post my adventures: http://www.jacobguide.com/washington.html

Have fun!!!

Answer 3

yea, they re aren't flow through spots on all the coast lines, go up to forks and hike around there, it better than south of there