Have you ever noticed that the ocean whispers in harmonious rhythm with the rush of rivers and the rustle of trees on the highest mountain peaks? A definite string of things, that initially seems separate but upon further inspection, the same. My solitary three day stay in our Northwestern corner of Washington delivered this continuous awareness, as I huffed up overland trails by rope and wandered amongst the clear cuts and high tide seaweed soaked beach decorated by trees sculpted by time and rocks marked by those that came many years before me along the nine mile Cape Alva to Sand Point loop, from Ozette.

I headed for the coast with the weather prediction crying for rain. Ocean wetness a given, the rain that did indeed eventually arrive, merely highlighted the experience. The trail began on boardwalk (caution-slippery when wet and some broken or rotting boards) and continued for just over three easy miles to the coast; thus lending itself to quiet contemplation and a steady beat to match my surroundings. Colorful mushrooms dotted the second generation forest, pungent with its perfume, alluding to the near arrival of fall. Tasty salal berries bulged larger than I have seen in years. They too, have blossomed from the bright light this season has so generously supplied.

I was fortunate to enjoy a balance of sun; a gift deeply revered when beaming through cloudy sky. To quote Mary Oliver, I “let the soft animal of my body love what it loves”. I told the ocean my secrets and it swallowed them whole with utmost care and cradled me in its timeless grandeur of past and present mixing with the tide. I sat and relished the massive body of water before me-lounging about in silky sand. Wispy clouds and golden twinkles intertwined upon its mysterious surface…still, the rhythm.

Many people came before me here; they left their carvings in the rock. Many people will come after I am gone. This journey lent a theme of oneness amongst all things from land to sea, earth to sky, human to nature and other human beings. Sometimes, we isolate ourselves from the scheme of things…sometimes we think we are separate. Sometimes we are. And sometimes, the tranquility of life reminds us in the words of Colin Ray that were shared with me by a beautiful friend: “I laugh, I love, I hope I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we’re really not that different, me and you”.

Namaste. May you find the pulse that connects the string of all things in our magnificent Northwest backyard!

God, I love this state. Sure, 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?

Even though we'd done this trip before, we still managed to get lost driving there (the GPS wanted to send us through miles of abandoned forest roads...ended up using a map and getting there just fine after that), meaning we didn't reach the trailhead until 3pm. The parking lot was packed and after being admonished for not having a reservation by the ranger, we were given a camp zone South of Sand Point - which is fine by me, as it is easily the prettiest stretch of beach on the entire loop.

This hike gives you almost everything. Boardwalk covered swampland, sun drenched prairie, razor sharp rocks, and finally, beautiful, sandy beach. We reached our camping area at about 5pm, the hike giving me the most exposed low tide I'd ever seen out here. It made for a smelly, dangerous hike amongst the rocks, but added to the sense of adventure.

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 backpacking friends. Its small wonder I always come back - the coast never disappoints. The creeks running into the ocean have not yet dried out, so that made things much happier for us.

The only "downer" I guess was the plethora of rangers. We ran into no less than 5 rangers, which would have been fine had not 3 of them ask us for our trip details, warn us about racoons, and ask to see our pass/bear canisters. One of them was even armed and gave the women with us the creeps. Never thought I'd complain about too many rangers!

More details and photos at http://www.seattlecasbah.com/[…]/south-sandpoint-ozette-triangle.html

Picked 3 nice days this week in July to visit this scenic stretch of coastline. Headed down the Cape Alava leg of the trail, intending to camp one night at the Cape then the next day, hike down the beach past the petroglyphs on to Sand Point and camp there the second night. The boardwalk is in pretty good shape, but be careful! Even slightly damp planks can cause a nasty spill! My poles saved me more than once! Lots of nice camps just off the beach. I did manage to have a small fire, but finding wood at the Cape isn't easy! Don't count on having a fire unless you want to walk a ways down the beach for wood!
Do NOT leave any food out for even a few seconds unguarded! I left some cheese and crackers out for maybe 30 seconds to take a look at the beach and in no time several crows or ravens (not sure which) swooped down to peck away at my snack! Racoons stroll around like they own the place and will no doubt do the same if you don't use the required bear canisters! I was "visited" several times by these bandits, but fortunately, I was prepared and my food was either with me or "locked up". Visit the small "longhouse" memorial a bit north off the beach. It tells about the archeological Makah site found and escavated there many years ago and has lots of whale bones and Native American symbols/artifacts inside. One can almost sense the ghosts of Early Americans roaming and living in that area from long ago!
Strolled down to Sand Point the next morning and saw a handful of the Native Petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks: not sure where the other 40 or so are! Maybe will explore for more next time. Be aware there are a LOT of downed trees along this stretch of beach and going is slow and slippery, even at low tide! I hit the deck hard once, having slipped on a rock and almost did so a couple more times!
Great Sandy Beach at Sand Pt. Lots of nice camps, in spite of being a Friday night. A bit different "feel" than Cape Alava, due to the terrain and scenery there. Not as many raccoons or ravens either! Saw eagles at both camps. Bugs were there, but at a minimum. Both areas are very nice and well worth visiting. The water source at both is running at a bit more than a trickle and I'm not sure what did it, (tannins? sediment?) but my filter plugged up more than once and had to be cleaned!
Overall, a highly recommended (approx. 9 mile)loop trip!