Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) — Saturday, Jul. 12, 2025

The weekend overnight 9 mile loop was very busy with many other hikers/campers filling the parking lot doing shorter day hikes on both trails to the beach. A weekday hike might be preferable. The boardwalk to Sand Point is in good shape although some of the steps are rotting and need replacing. The campsites were shaded, forested, well marked and were dry. Because of the north wind and some mist and spray many overnight campers chose to tent on the south beach above the tide line. One might consider choosing a forested campsite about 50’ adjacent to the beach and then spend the day on the sandy beach out of the wind. Note that although water is available at Sand Point it is tannin colored and needs to be filtered. With a minus tide the 3 mile beach walk north to Cape Alava was easy to navigate although there were times when we had to avoid the slippery seaweed covered rocks as well as making two detours overland to detour some large headland rocks and large obstructing logs. A single hiking pole would be helpful over these slippery spots. The return path and boardwalk from Cape Alava was also in good shape but there were some small sections needing repair. Take caution that the boardwalks can be very slippery when wet.Trailhead park facilities are good and the general store at the park entrance makes for a good end of the hike snack or coffee break stop and also provides overflow camping and showers for those on extended camp outs.