Ruby Beach — Monday, Jul. 28, 2014

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

Early in the day discovered the parking lot at the trailhead to be busy due to the large number of out-of- state visitors wanting to see the Washington Coast. Vehicle turnover was rapid as most in their flip-flops and short sleeve shirts discovered the beach to be too foggy and cool. After we cleared the beachcombers at Ruby Beach we hike the three miles to the Hoh River. Much of the time we were in fog but the sun broke at the last mile near the Hoh River and we viewed bald eagles, sea birds, sea stacks, beautiful driftwood and a long rocky beach. We sat on the driftwood near the Hoh River for a snack and then hike back towards Ruby Beach. We only viewed two other hikers the entire time. The tide was coming in so we had to hike much of the time high on the beach in the loose rocks. This proves to be fatiguing as you slip and slide with each step. Made it back to Ruby Beach about 45 minutes prior to high tide and had to scramble some rocks to avoid the surf but nothing dangerous. I have now learned that when Western Washington is hot the Coast is often foggy due to off-shore flow.