THE FIRST TWO things I tell anyone who asks me about the North Olympic Peninsula are it’s beautiful here and the people are friendly.
Often the friendly people talk to me about the area’s beauty.
In more than one of my many conversations since moving here, some form of the following advice has been dispensed: “One thing you need to do is the Cape Flattery hike.”
In a column three weeks ago I passed this tip on to you.
Earlier this week, I drove to Neah Bay and put the hike to the test.
Now I have to say it, too.
One thing you need to do on the Peninsula is the Cape Flattery hike.
Cape Flattery is special because it is the most northwestern point that exists on contiguous United States.
This means that at the end of the hike you’ll see the spot where the Pacific Ocean meets up with the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The hike itself is fairly easy, only 1.5 miles round trip.
The first part of the trail is a well-maintained dirt path.
There are a few short downward slopes, but where tree roots don’t make natural steps, rocks and wood have been fashioned to make walking easier.
The rest of the trail is a solid wood boardwalk.
It’s a bit narrow but there is almost always enough room to step aside and allow hikers heading the opposite direction to pass by. (I believe the protocol in this situation is to step aside for those on the return portion of the hike.)
Even a 2-year-old can do this hike, though she might insist on touching each board on the boardwalk, which slows things down a bit.
The ease of the hike lets you to enjoy the beauty you’re walking through, an incredible green forest full of massive trees.
There was a lot of stopping early on to snap photographs, both of the trees and of hikers standing in the trees.
I heard one tree with a hole in its trunk referred to as a natural photo booth. (Though after waiting for a few minutes for some of our party to get their photo taken at the spot, my dad claimed it was “just a hole in a tree.”)
There are a few spots toward the end that are designated lookout spots to view the sea below.
You’ll see blue water with waves crashing into huge sea stacks and cliffs. It’s intimidating.
At the final destination, you see more stacks and cliffs to your right and left.
Tatoosh Island, covered with green with a lighthouse, is straight ahead.
The rest of your view is an endless sea.
The fog on the day I was there made it seem I was looking at the place where the world ended and only a fool would dare venture out into those waters.
So, yes, I probably would have been one of those who mocked Christopher Columbus back in the 1490s.
The hike back was more of an uphill affair, but the elevation gain is only a few hundred feet, so it isn’t difficult. In fact, going back seemed quicker than getting there.
Afterwards, my dad said the hike alone was enough to make his drive from Salt Lake City to Port Angeles completely worth it.
Getting there
It’s a bit of a drive to Neah Bay, but not too difficult.
In fact, the drive itself is part of the experience because it lets you see even more of the Peninsula.
On the way there, we drove U.S. Highway 101, which goes right along Lake Crescent, turned right at state Route 113, and then met up with state Route 112 until we got to Neah Bay.
Another way is to take state Route 112 from Port Angeles all the way to Neah Bay.
We drove this way back to Port Angeles because road construction on state Route 113 made us sit idle for 10 minutes until a pilot car returned to guide us through the construction.
The time difference between the two is minimal.
A word of warning, though. Either way you go, the roads twist and turn, especially state Route 112.
If you have a weak stomach, this might make you sick. Someone in my car lost her breakfast on the drive there and her lunch on the drive back.
Once you get to Neah Bay, you need to stop at Washburn’s General Store to purchase a Makah recreational pass, which costs $10.
Washburn’s is easy to find. State Route 112 turns into Bayview Avenue and the store is on the left-hand side of Bayview. It’s tough to miss.
After purchasing your pass (Washburn’s will also provide a map to the trailhead), get back on Bayview and continue west, then turn left on Fort Street, right onto Third Street and then left onto Cape Flattery Road.
Follow that for about 7 miles to the parking lot and trailhead.
One more thing. In my column three weeks ago I said that dogs weren’t allowed on the Cape Flattery hike, but there was a sign at the trailhead that said they are allowed if they are on a leash.
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Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lee.horton@peninsuladailynews.com.