Shi Shi to Oil City Olympic National Park Beach Hike — Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006

Shi Shi Beach to Oil City Beach Hike: Arrive at Shi Shi trailhead and hike the easy 2 miles to the beach. Continuted to Willoughby Creek next to Point of the Arches for our first night. Five other groups spread out along the beach. Beautiful sunset with sea otters playing in the surf. Early to sleep as we begin a week of early morning minus tides which we must make to get around numerous headlands. August 7th Point of the Arches to South Ozette River: 5:00 am minus tide, sky overcast we begin picking our way thourgh Point of the Arches. Five headlands to scramble up, over, along, down and around before the tide comes back in. The boys have no trouble using the rope assist going up and down. Trails along tops are a little brushy but easy to follow. A pile of deer bones lies on top of the first headland. The route along the beach crosses rocks of every size, pebbles, cobbles, bowling balls, to VW size. We find balancing with walking sticks the only safe way to hop from rock to rock. In addition to rocks there are several hidden coves with sandy beaches. The beaches are littered with fish floats of every color and size, lumber, a dead whale and sea lion, and rope of every type. Eagles fly overhead while seals and sea otters watch us pick our way down the beach. Lunch at Seafield creek (only a trickle)then on down the coast line in the sunshine to the Ozette River. At the Ozette River we must wait for low tide to cross knee deep. August 8th Ozette River to Cedar Creek: Overcast turning to rain. Good water just south of the Ozette River. Around Cape Alava stop at Wedding Rocks then on to Sand Point. Rain and wind now blowing as we battle the rocks of Rocky Reef. To make matters worse huge blow-downs block the beach making travel slow. Lunch at Yellow Banks, good water and a nice beach. More rocks and blow-downs slow our progress to Norwegian Memorial. The rain has let up a little. We continue on to camp at Cedar Creek, poor water ( better spring a mile down the beach). Ranger tent set up but empty. We find the old machinary of Starbuck Mine looking for clean water. A warm fire, full moon peaking in and out of the clouds, and the rain stops as we hit the tents. August 9th Cedar Creek to La Push: Another early morning rush on the rocks and sand beaches to get around Cape Johnson before the tide blocks the beach. We follow a coyote for four miles. The coyote knew where the hard sand was so we followed its lead. Rounded Cape Johnson and easily found the Chilean Memorial. Now it was a push to get to and through the Hole in the Wall ahead of the tide. The beach is now full of Sunshine and people. August 10th 3rd Beach to Mosquito Creek: Rain again but the walk to 3rd beach through the woods is an easy hike. 3rd Beaches firm sand lets us roll along. Up the ladder and ropes around Taylor Point back down to the beach and Scott's Creek. Because of the minus tides we were able to cruse past Strawberry Point and stop for lunch at Toleak Point. Rangers camp on North side of Point. After lunch we climb the ladders, ford Falls and Goodman Creek, wind through thick brush, then follow the overland trail to the ladder down to the beach. Mosquito Creek 2 miles down a beautiful beach with only a few rocks and blow-downs to get over. Sunshine again and a 3 point buck walks through our tents while we are cooking. August 11th Mosquito Creek to Oil City ( Ho River Mouth): Up the ladders and about 2+ miles through a trail with lots of ups and downs, several blow-downs and a few muddy spots. The boys enjoy a forest trail around Ho Head. Down the last ladder ( broken rungs make it the boy's favorite) and another scramble to beat the tide. For the only time we get wet boulder hopping by Diamond Rock but round the corner and make our last camp in the driftwood at the mouth of the Ho. August 12th Oil City Trailhead: Hike the short trail up the Ho to the trailhead and home. The bear canisters must be working as we were never bothered by raccoons or bears. On this hike you have to get over or around the headlands when the tides allow you. For us this meant being on the move by 5:00 AM every morning. A couple times we waited out the high tide during lunch. Fires can be built in the tide zone and there is plenty of driftwood. Finding water isn't a problem it just has to be filtered or boiled. Wildlife is everywhere in the surf, woods, and in the air.