Chilean Memorial — Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023

Our stop at the Chilean Memorial was part of a multi-night backpack from Ozette to Rialto. See our "North Coast Route" trip report for details on the full itinerary. This report focuses on campsites and the trail immediately north & south of the Chilean Memorial.

Campsites: The campsites here are not great. I recommend them only as an overnight bivouac, not as a "destination". The memorial itself is on the beach (unlike the Norwegian Memorial, which is set back in the forest and has great campsites). There are a couple of beach campsites near the memorial. The only campsites off the beach are to the south of the memorial a little bit. They are directly on the overland trail (which is short and pretty - so maybe you want to take this trail even if the tide is low). Each campsite is a cleared area just big enough for a single two person tent and abuts the trail, so anyone passing on the main trail will come to within a foot of your tent. But probably not too many other people passing, so if you are just staying for a night, maybe not a big deal. There is this a decent chance at a reasonable amount of solitude while here. Only one other couple was camping on the night we stayed.

Water: There are a couple of water sources. The better one is north of the "main" one marked by the buoy.

Hiking: There is very difficult hiking both to the north and south of the Chilean Monument. Coming over the rocks from Hole-in-the-Wall will take hours of difficult treacherous scrambling. Coming over the rocks around Cape Johnson (and the even-worse rocks around the next headland to the north immediately adjoining Cape Johnson) will take hours of difficult treacherous scrambling. Do these stretches at low tide, with plenty of time, plenty of energy, and hiking poles unless you are very comfortable otherwise.

Map: I think the Custom Correct map might have the precise location of the Chilean Memorial off by a few meters. Would be interesting if someone on a day with decent visibility triangulated this. Let me know in the comments what you think.

Mysterious rope: There is a rope leading up the bluff on Cape Johnson. It is several hundred yards northwest of the campsites and can be missed if you are hugging the shore as it starts a bit hidden by a large boulder. Where does it go? Campsite?? A dead-end route to the top of the Cape to see good views? A bypass of the Cape, but if so, I never saw a coupled rope on the north side of the Cape? Let me know in the comments if you explore this and know the answer.

Chipmunk: Watching your every move. Likely will chew through your pack if it looks tasty.