Two-night backpack at Chilean Memorial hiking in and out from Rialto Beach. Day one, arrived early to hike all the way to Chilean Memorial before tide came in mid-afternoon. Due to tide chart, we opted to camp on the bluff overlooking Chilean Memorial from the south rather than down on the beach itself. Day two was a bit windy/a little rainy, we explored low tide in the cove and across the land bridge out to the pointy stack island on its south end. Day three we got packed just before the rain arrived and made our way out as the tide went out that morning.
Saw no one past Hole in the Wall on day one. Said hello to a couple parties making their way south from Sand Point or Yellow Banks on day two (Saturday). Day three again were by ourselves until Hole in the Wall.
Privy at Chilean Memorial was pretty nice, once located (in the bushes--follow rope up under a tree just north of the memorial site). For water, multiple creeks entering the cove there were flowing nicely.
Trail is beach. Beach is trail. Slippery with algae on rocks--be cautious and don't move too quickly. Overland segment just before Chilean Memorial had a couple blow downs that looked like they'd been there for some time and were possible to clamber over. Still likely preferable to navigating the boulders on the beach there.
River crossing: Ellen Creek flowing pretty heavily. Some were crossing pile of logs visible from the beach, but these felt precarious/narrow/slippery so we waded instead. Came up about mid-calf at shallowest, widest point close to surf.
Lots of tidal life (chitin, sea stars, anemone, mussels, crabs, little fish) when exposed. Most impressive wildlife encounter was a group of seven (7!) Bald Eagles--some mature and several juvenile--congregating in one spot on the beach shortly before coming around the final head. I didn't know they did that! I got a picture of several of them, but two had flown off before I was close enough. Also raven, crow, and oystercatcher. Did encounter a large bear scat near the final head before Chilean Memorial, but no other sign of a bear.
Beautiful place to explore, and I liked the pace we took to just have a relaxing time out on the coast pretty much by ourselves.
Popped into Burgershack in La Push on our way out--good decision!
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