Distance: 20 miles out and back
Olympic National Forest (ONF) is an amusement park for backpacking enthusiasts. ONF comprises several ecosystems with an abundance of hiking and backpacking option. Want to summit a mountain? Hike through the largest rain-forest in America? Or trek the untapped shorelines of the Pacific Coast? ONF is the place!
To reach the trailhead, you must first head to Forks, WA. Stop by the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) on HWY 101 in Forks (551 S Forks Avenue) to pick up permits and bear canisters. Permits cost $5 per group plus $2 per person per night. The WIC recommends a $3 donation to rent Bear Canisters. Bear canisters are required for any back-country hiking in ONF, so bring your own or rent from WIC. Don’t forget to check tidal charts! Some parts of the trail are only accessible at low tide. Refer to the links at the bottom of this page or chat it up with the helpful staff at Forks’ WIC!
Olympic National Forest (ONF) is an amusement park for backpacking enthusiasts. ONF comprises several ecosystems with an abundance of hiking and backpacking option. Want to summit a mountain? Hike through the largest rain-forest in America? Or trek the untapped shorelines of the Pacific Coast? ONF is the place!
To reach the trailhead, you must first head to Forks, WA. Stop by the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) on HWY 101 in Forks (551 S Forks Avenue) to pick up permits and bear canisters. Permits cost $5 per group plus $2 per person per night. The WIC recommends a $3 donation to rent Bear Canisters. Bear canisters are required for any back-country hiking in ONF, so bring your own or rent from WIC. Don’t forget to check tidal charts! Some parts of the trail are only accessible at low tide. Refer to the links at the bottom of this page or chat it up with the helpful staff at Forks’ WIC!
From the WIC, head north on HWY 101 until you reach La Push Rd (HWY 110), take a left and follow the road 20 minutes in route to Rialto Beach. This 20 mile hike can be accomplished in one day or multiple. Below is the recipe for a successful three day trip.
Day1
After you’re done exploring Rialto, adjust your pack, double check provisions, and hit the trail! The trailhead will direct you north along a bare, loose, sandy beach. Your steps will sink into the coarse sand for the first mile before reaching Hole-in-the-Wall. Walk closer to the waves for solid footing.
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| Hole-in-the-Wall can be seen at the far right |
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| Jutting rock near Hole-in-the-Wall |
Stop and explore the large jutting rock lying directly before Hole-in-the-Wall. You can’t miss it. You’ll get a close look at colorful starfish and bright green sea urchins.
Hole-in-the-Wall is
a popular turn around spot for day hikers and families enjoying Rialto Beach.
Continue through the rock arch and push on towards Chilean Memorial.
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| Deer spotted near Chilean Memorial |
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| Night 1 campsite half a mile south of Chilean Memorial |
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| Cape Johnson is Rough |
Day 2
Adjust your timing on day 2 so that you cross Cape Johnson during the morning’s low tide. Cape Johnson’s a real b*tch. The next mile is a scramble through boulders and seaweed painted rocks. Don’t expect much flat ground at all. This will be the toughest portion of the hike. Budget your time to allow an hour and half to cover one mile.
Adjust your timing on day 2 so that you cross Cape Johnson during the morning’s low tide. Cape Johnson’s a real b*tch. The next mile is a scramble through boulders and seaweed painted rocks. Don’t expect much flat ground at all. This will be the toughest portion of the hike. Budget your time to allow an hour and half to cover one mile.
Its smooth sailing once you past Cape Johnson. Five beautiful miles of secluded beach until you reach Norwegian Memorial (turn around point). Keep an eye out for a good camping spot. I suggest shedding your pack there and completing the day’s hike without carrying the extra weight.
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| Stairway through detour |
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| View from detour |
There are a couple inland
trails that help you navigate during high tide. The trails are marked with a
large sign posted on the trees. The sign resembles a black and red BMW logo.
You can also find these detours marked on the field map (link below).
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| Norwegian Memorial |
When you’re ready, head back towards Rialto. Building camp is up to your discretion. It all depends how long you’d like to hike day 3. Cedar Creek is a popular spot located one mile south of Norwegian. We returned to camp where we shed our packs earlier in the day, about one mile north of Cape Johnson.
Day3
Plan to attack the treacherous Cape Johnson during low tide. Continue south until you reach Rialto. The more people you see, the closer you are.
ONF Map: http://mappery.com/map-of/Olympic-National-Park-wilderness-campsite-map Plan to attack the treacherous Cape Johnson during low tide. Continue south until you reach Rialto. The more people you see, the closer you are.
Very cool website. One of the few that has good information.
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