Olympic National Park Coast 2018 Day 8

We had to start early again on this day, because we would only have one good tide interval in which to hike. If we didn't make the Chilean Memorial by about 2 pm, then we wouldn't be able to move from where we stopped until around 8 pm. So we got up at 4:30 am again and headed out around 5:30 am. The hardest part came first - the five miles between Yellow Bank and Norwegian Memorial that have been described as the hardest section on this trail. 

It was hard, but we had been there before and our packs had grown lighter since the last time we traversed it. We all put our heads down and hiked as fast as we safely could. Maybe a bit faster since I fell once and I think Bill did as well. Ambrose took it more slowly, but didn't fall this time. 

After that section, we had good beach to traverse - wet sand, firm footing. The tide was rising, but not too quickly. We walked through heavy mists past Cedar Creek and encountered a pair of rangers trying to clean graffiti off of a rock. 

After we made it past the required overland trail, it wasn't too long before we came to the alcove where we had passed the tide on the second day. Ambrose wanted to stop. Bill seemed to be willing to stop if that's what we wanted. 

I didn't want to stop. 

It wasn't even 1 pm. We had time. So I made the decision for the group. We would go on. 

Ambrose grumbled, but he made it to Chilean before high tide and we spent the whole afternoon at the place we were camping, which I thought was delightful. I think Ambrose didn't mind it  much either, once he got a chance to rest a bit.

Looking north in the morning on the way south away from Yellow Bank. 

I have no idea why someone would leave their boots out here...

Ambrose cutting across rocks rather than going around on the beach.

This seaweed made a little popping sound when you stepped on it. 

We made it to Norwegian!

The mists really liked gathering above the trees.

Heading towards Cedar Creek.

I was walking ahead, scouting the route. Ambrose and Bill were behind, in the mist.

Ambrose coming down the overland trail.

A crown of cloud over some sea stacks.

Ambrose grudgingly hiking on to Chilean.

By the time we got there, Bill had already set up his tent in a nice spot.

We got a nice spot for our tent as well, with a good pole for drying things.

Bill didn't mind that I used the swing in front of his tent.

Sunset on Chilean.

Olympic National Park Coast 2018 Day 7

On the 7th day we traveled a rather short distance from Cape Alava to Yellow Bank. When we woke in the morning, it was the driest it had been the entire trip; there was no moisture on our tents at all. The plan was that Ambrose would go back the same way we came, cutting through the campsites at Sand Point rather than going around the point. Bill and I would go around and climb Sand Point since neither of us had done that before (Ambrose hadn't either, but he didn't care to). 

At Yellow Bank, we found an incredible number of starfish, and then claimed a campsite that wasn't exactly well set up for tents. Bill led us in a little beach yoga, and then we spent the day watching the tide rise and fall and trying not to get burned in the surprisingly hot sun. 

Ambrose and I chose to cowboy camp on a pile of boards. He woke me in the middle of the night because there was moisture all over our sleeping bags. I had to wake up and shake my sleeping bag off; then Ambrose covered us with our tent as a moisture barrier. The stars at that moment were brilliantly bright, burning sharp in the blackness of the sky, the most intense I have ever seen stars. I wanted to stay up and watch them, but the next day would be another early morning and our longest day yet.

Dawn at Cape Alava.

Another tree problem to get through.

One of the biggest crabs I saw - still not as big as my palm. 

Ambrose coming up an overland trail near Wedding Rocks.

Near Sand Point, some people have a lot of time to play with driftwood.

The view south from the top of Sand Point.

Me, on Sand Point, pointing north.

One of the best sights to see on the trail - a pit toilet!

The most gorgeous purple on a starfish.

Starfish and sea anenomes.

There were a whole lot of starfish.

Selfie with Ambrose.

High tide brought the waves pretty close to our camp.

Olympic National Park Coast 2018 Day 6

Well. We made it to Shi Shi. Now we had to make it back to Rialto. 

Ready to head out in the early morning.

Yeah... we had to use that wet rope and climb up those slick rocks first thing in the morning.

The overland trails were marked with little orange tags on the trees.

Sluggo.

Wine dark starfish.

Going through the rocks between Shi Shi and Seafield during low tide was a lot easier, but also a lot messier.

Seafield looks like it almost got inundated at high tide.

Beach deer. They were way out where the tide was licking at the sand.

This guy got within ten feet of me as they headed up to the grass.

The North side of the Ozette campground was pretty nice. No water but the brackish water of the river, but nice. 

There was even a pit toilet. Huzzah!

We were going to spend the night at the South Ozette site, but we couldn't find safe water and I conceded to Bill and Ambrose's votes to go back Alava for the night.

Which made me stay up late. But I could always sleep during high tide the next day. 

Olympic National Park Coast 2018 Day 5

I slept in. I slept in so hard. I slept in like a boss. And there was also some exploring of the beach. And camp chores. And laying around NOT hiking with a pack. It was delightful.

Good morning Shi Shi!

Heading over to see if there's an overland trail we could take. Like a shortcut. Yeah, there isn't one. 

These little buggers were all over the beach. I have no idea what they are but they never bit me. 

Low tide starfish sighting!

Ambrose borrowing my trekking pole and checking out the tide pools.

I didn't stay up for the sunset again. Not with an early wake up call.