I took the day off to enjoy the weather and was greeted by a wonderfully warm day and hike along the beach.I began hiking at 1:30 PM; the trail from the parking lot was somewhat muddy, but there were several pathways around the mud holes. I saw 7-10 bald eagles and immature eagles throughout the course of the day, and heard a sea lion at one point, didn't get to see it.

I usually prefer the mountains, but this day of solitude with the beach was incredibly peaceful and rejuvenating. As I made way back to the entrance of the beach-- 2 parties were setting up their tents; I was quite envious of their decision. Note to self-- overnight trip; next time! I returned to my vehicle at 8:00 PM.

Note: the round-trip distance can vary; depending upon how much walking along the beach you do. My round-trip distance ended up being 16 miles.

Spent the night on Shi Shi Beach and camped just pass Petroleum Creek under some trees. It wasn't a cold night (only 41°). It was a rainy night. All night long! But I 100% expected it. While I was eating dinner with my headlamp a mouse ran underneath my feet to try and sneak a bite.

The Trip Report before this one has a lot of good information about hiking to Shi Shi. I recommend it.

Shi Shi Beach never disappoints. It's been many years since I had been here, but the majesty of Point of Arches remains as stunning as ever and the sound of the surf just as soothing.

This was our first backpacking trip as a family - and we loved it! Our kids, 3 1/2 and nearly 7, carried their clothes and water; my husband and I carried every thing else. These were very heavy packs. Fortunately, the trail is flat and short.

We hit the beach just as the sun came out and made our way toward the campsites near Petroleum Creek, about two-thirds the way down the beach. The kids started to whine just as we came to a sweet spot we'd stayed in before - a two-tiered campsite up in the woods about a quarter mile from the creek. Not knowing whether the more developed sites further along were full, we took it.

The second day we took a morning hike to Point of Arches. With low tide at 6:30 am, we didn't hit it perfectly, but were able to poke around some of the closer in tidepools before the tide chased us away. The big campsite on the south side of the creek was open, so the kids played on its "playground" hammock and rope swing. We made mobiles out of crab legs and set up an obstacle course of floats. Good times!

Being the Friday before Labor Day we also watched the stream of backpackers arriving for the long weekend. On Thursday there were about 5 parties on the beach; Friday I considered it full up, with a tent about every 150 yards. And Saturday, as we left, the hordes truly descended. I estimate that the beach population will have exceeded 200 for the weekend. Way too crowded, and we were happy to be walking the other direction.
 
All in all, it was a great first backpacking destination for kids. Our preschooler was by far the youngest, but she did great. There's so much for kids to do on the beach and plenty for the adults to enjoy too. We'll be back!

For those who haven't been to Shi Shi in awhile or ever:
* Permits - backpackers will need two: the Makah Recreation Use Pass ($10 annual) and an Olympic National Park backcountry pass, available in Port Angeles or Forks. There were also a few envelopes atop the bluff that descends to the beach.
* The trailhead has moved about a quarter mile closer to the fish hatchery, with a privy and room for about 15 cars for day hikers.
* Overnighters park about .6 mile back at a private home. It's $10 per day, cash, for every day you will be parked there. There's also another place about 1.5 miles from the trailhead that is $10 per night, but it's gate was oddly closed on Labor Day week
* The first mile of trail has gotten a nice make-over, winding first through a brushy clearcut and then into forest, with boardwalks and bridges that our kids enjoyed.
* The second mile continues to be plagued with mud, as bad as ever.
* The trail from the bluff to the beach is heavily eroded, worse than I remember.
* Olympic National Park requires all food be packed in hard-sided bear containers. It was a challenge to fit three days of food for four people into one.
* Know the tides. During seasonal high tide periods greater than 9 feet or so, much of the beach camping will not be available. To round Point of Arches, tides need to be lower than 4 feet.
* Finally, note that all of the roads in the northern part of the Peninsula are being repaved right now. The many long waits added a good hour to the drive. It was faster to take Hwy 101 to Sappho than to take 112 from Port Angeles, but still slow. Neah Bay is a long way from everywhere.

Arrived at the trailhead about 5pm and hiked to Shi Shi beach to see the sunset. In the lot were a few other hikers including a group that looked to have a large cooler full of hot dogs and rum. By the end of the hike, and what we knew of the trail, we wondered how that went. Everyone said it was muddy but we had no idea. We saw this one woman with mud up to her knees. You can walk around it, or bushwack, but its still very muddy. The destination of Shi Shi is spectacular of course. About the time you start to wonder are we there yet, it appears.

Coming back after sunset by headlamp, we became the people with mud over our boots. Things were going well then I misjudged a step and went in deep. I had this flashback to a Gilligan's Island episode about quicksand but all ended well.

Lots of Indian Paintbrush and wild strawberries amongst the rocks.