Backpacking Trip from Ozette Lake to Cape Alava

If you are looking for a beginner backpacking trip, I would recommend Cape Alava, a coastal one. It worth the trip to the Olympic Pennisula, even if it's just a day hike.  The Makah’s Osett Memorial by the old Ranger stations is beautiful and you must see it. It is 3 miles from Ozette Lake to Cape Alava, where we spent the night (permit required). The following morning we made our way along the Sand Point trail and back to Lake Ozette. Keep an eye on the tides!

The trip was so good for my soul: I relished being in nature in one of the most beautiful places on earth and pushing myself on a different sort of hike. A costal hike is very different than a mountain hike, which is my usual choice. The walk may appear less challenging on paper, but when you add in carrying 50 lbs, navigating slippery boardwalks and seaweed covered rocks, and stepping up and over tree roots much bigger than step up exercises (I have little legs people), it poses a formidable challenge indeed.

The two ladies that accompanied me were great company. Thank you, Gretchen, for choosing the hike and for your wisdom in packing. So glad I didn’t over do it... or did I? I do love fresh food. Bear canisters are important- we didn't see any but they are there. What we did see were bald eagles, seals, and deer, all right from our campsite. And we had beautiful weather. 

All in all, I ended the trip feeling refreshed and very lucky!