Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) — Friday, May. 27, 2011

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

I had pored over trip reports, read all the books, and absorbed everything I could find on this 'loop.' No words can do the scenery justice, so I won't bother with that. There were no blowdowns and the boardwalks provided a nice respite from boggy trail. It's entertaining to try and pass someone on the slippery planks when you're loaded down with a full pack! Pay attention to where you are - there's no signage on the beach. I don't know that all of the national park's visitors are going to be familiar with overland trail markers (and believe me, there's one section where you'd better hope that you DON'T have to take the 'trail,' which is a rope-assisted scramble up and down a hillside. The view from the top is stunning. However, after that, you're on your own to find the start of the Sand Point part of the triangle (loop). We wandered all the way down to Rock Reef before realizing we'd gone too far. Oh - and watch out for the Ericson's Bay trail - we took this one by accident and it's an utter mess. There is a pretty nifty campsite atop a hill, complete with human-savvy deer and (at that point) a cranky-looking camper. So much for asking for directions. Beach navigation is very different from being in the woods. Just because this one's marked an 'easy' hike doesn't mean that it doesn't come with its challenges. Part of the problem is being so enamored with the beauty that you forget to pay attention.