North Shi Shi Beach Access - Point of Arches

We chose the first wet weekend in 3 months for a family backpacking trip, but at least the intermittent mist kept the crowds down, and didn't deter the kids from clambering around the tide pools all weekend.

When we woke up the first morning, we found a dead sea lion that the tide had deposited 30 feet from our tents (about 1/4 of the way from where the trail enters the beach toward Point of Arches). He/she remained untouched, and fortunately unstinky, during the 36 hours we were there, so I'm curious how he/she's doing now -- please report!

Note that the first water source is far down the beach. We (and most campers other than one large group) stayed farther north (closer to where you first reach the beach), requiring a long walk to get water. So make sure you have a large water vessel.

There are some interesting sights north of where the trail reaches the beach. After you climb over a few rocky hills -- easy with hiking boots and no backpack, trickier otherwise -- you reach a shipwreck.

In case you're curious, there's a decent little restaurant across from the general store in Neah Bay. The other places didn't look so good.