Bottom Line:
First-timer to Cape Flattery - STUNNING place to spend a winter sunset! This is the northwest-most point of the contiguous United States with great views north, west and south; sea stacks, sea caves, stunted shore trees, wildlife - this perch is amazing. There are a couple different wooden platforms, all with good views, including the final platform perched on the edge of the Cape directly opposite Tatoosh Island. Not crowded, but a good group of people just happy to be alive while we watched the sun sink below the churning seas. A perfect evening!
Stats:
- Distance: ~3 miles
- Duration: 2 hours
- Vertical: ~310 ft
- Weather: Mix of sun and cloud, 40Fs, light wind, relatively high tide which is good timing for sunset pictures with crashing waves and churning seas; sea swells where 4-6 feet - modest
- Road/Parking: Makah Reservation recreation pass required ($20 - good for a year); available at several places in Neah Bay, with the Makah Mini Mart being super convenient; ample parking at the trailhead; the drive out to Neah Bay hugs the coast with views of the strait and Vancouver Island - we saw plenty of eagles picking at tidal pools.
- Trail: Beautiful, manicured trail that descends through a beautiful rain forest to multiple wooden platforms on Cape Flattery with views of sea caves, sea stacks, islands, wildlife (mostly eagles and seals today, but whales in season), crashing waves and frothy seas. Short for sure - but stunning! Trail is clear of tree fall, unlike a lot of other trails right now on the peninsula ;)
- Takeaway: The Cape is truly a spectacular spot for sunset, even in winter (decidedly "Dark Shadows" ocean drama!) The weather was definitely more summer-like today, so would love to come back during a winter storm to see waves crashing against the headlands; as it was, lucked out with beautiful weather! All the photos are extended exposure shots on a tripod for something different ;)
Warmed up with burgers in the Neah Bay, "Warmhouse" restaurant ;)
The attached short 4K video shows a bit of the trail and views from the Cape.
Our subsequent (and more substantial) hike to Sand Point and its beautiful beach on the Ozette Triangle can be found here
Comments
Rocinante70 on Cape Flattery
Definitely calendar pics!
Posted by:
Rocinante70 on Feb 05, 2024 06:40 PM
Alpine Wanderer on Cape Flattery
Hey, thanks! :)
Posted by:
Alpine Wanderer on Feb 06, 2024 04:13 PM
BlueGoat on Cape Flattery
Yes--that is a spectacular place. I finally made it out there in 2022 after hiking the North Olympic Coast trail with Sierra Club for 6 days. When we finished the trail at Shi Shi, the shuttle drove us up for a visit to Cape Flattery. Had lived in WA my whole life but never been there. Truly jaw-dropping seascape.
Posted by:
BlueGoat on Feb 06, 2024 09:31 AM
Alpine Wanderer on Cape Flattery
That sounds like a fantastic trip! Done sections, but really want to do the whole thing too ;)
Posted by:
Alpine Wanderer on Feb 06, 2024 04:14 PM
DK1998 on Cape Flattery
We live on such a beautiful planet. It just blows my mind how there are so many people who come to admire places like this yet couldn't care less about leaving their garbage or dog poop bags behind. The past two years were the worst I've seen for trash left on trails.
Posted by:
DK1998 on Feb 06, 2024 07:38 PM
Alpine Wanderer on Cape Flattery
I hear you! This trail is definitely out of the way, so we did not see any garbage. It was evident that the Makah tribe also really spends time maintaining the trail. We did see poop bags at Marymere Falls though, and dogs are not even allowed on that trail :(
Posted by:
Alpine Wanderer on Feb 07, 2024 09:21 AM