After a night at the Ozette Campground, we decided to visit Cape Flattery before driving back to the Seattle area.

We stopped in Neah Bay to visit the Makah Museum, purchase a Makah Recreation Permit (required for Cape Flattery), and pick up some coffee before the short drive out to the Cape Flattery trailhead. Signage is clear and plentiful in town, as is cell service in Neah Bay (a rarity on large portions of the coast).

The walk through the forest to the observation decks is well maintained and pleasant. Take time to observe the small things... there are little treasures to look at amongst the trees. The Makah Tribe maintains the boardwalk well. Please remember to stay on the trail, especially near and around the viewing platforms - foot traffic off-trail degrades the landscape and encourages others to get dangerously close to drop offs. There are three different viewing platforms, each offering a different perspective of this beautiful, wild, cliff-filled coastline.

If you're in this corner of the peninsula, it's worth the drive to see the beautiful rocks of the cape and grab a bite afterward in Neah Bay.

Trail in good condition. Ample parking as there are now what I believe are two new parking areas that should hold at least 20 additional cars maybe more. The hike wouldn't be as enjoyable if all the parking areas were full,  because the boardwalks are narrow and viewing stands are not big enough for large crowds. We arrived just before 5 PM and only a dozen cars.  The views and the sound of the waves was beautiful. Highly recommend this hike. Saw oyster catchers, brown pelicans, harlequin ducks on the rocky outcroppings to the south.  Many seals resting on the rocks just north of Tatoosh island. 

Short hike, and very pretty viewpoint! The Cape Flattery Lighthouse on the nearby island is very neat, I saw multiple boats out, and you could see Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada) to the north.

Depending on where you're coming from, this hike can be best combined with a trip to many points on the Olympic Coastline.

Parking and permits:

• Plenty of parking available. On the drive to Cape Flattery on Cape Flattery Road, there will be somebody asking for your Makah Recreation Permit (makah.com/attractions/recreation-permits). They sold them there (cost is $20), which was a quick process. The permit lasts for the full calendar year.

The trail is relatively short from the parking lot to the final viewing deck, but you'll think it is much longer.  It is the worst trail I have ever experienced on the Olympic Peninsula, with the previous exception, for many long years, the trail to Shi-Shi Beach. There is no excuse for the absolutely pathetic condition of the Cape Flattery trail. If you are anything short of an athlete with exceptional balance DO NOT attempt this trail. Even if you are an able-bodied teenager or adult, you will definitely be putting yourself in harm's way.  If you are differently abled, have any balance issues whatsoever, forget about it. And I would never bring children on this trail. The boardwalk is very shoddy and so narrow it is quite difficult and dangerous for people to pass by each other. Many people are forced to walk off the boardwalk in defiance of the signs telling people to stay on the main trail. If you fall from the boardwalk, you will likely be seriously injured as some sections are 4 feet off the ground. The trail that is not boardwalk has been unattended for so long the ground is pounded down to the point where every root of every tree within 10 feet of the main trail are protruding several inches. You are forced to walk slowly through a maze of roots carefully placing your feet so as to not trip or sprain an ankle. A man in front of me looked away for a moment, tripped and body slammed the ground so hard it took him several minutes to recover and lift himself. In addition, there are occasionally metal rods sticking up an inch or two above the ground. These appear to have once secured now long-gone wood boards for keeping you out of the mud or preventing erosion. The rods are now a serious hazard.

Again, the condition of the Cape Flattery trail is inexcusable, and is a tragedy. I do not know where the $20 entry fee per car is going, but it is not to be seen in the condition of this trail. I recognize the desire to go to the farthest northwest corner of the United States is real, it brought me here, but until this trail is significantly improved, I would seriously reconsider. And that is the shame of it. 

We drove the long way around from Port Angeles to Forks as part of a multiday vacation on the peninsula so that we could stop at Cape Flattery. I'm so glad we did because it was an incredible day!

We stopped at the Makah Minimart when we arrived in Neah Bay to pick up our Makah Recreation Pass. Make sure you get this before heading out to Cape Flattery since you'll be asked for it on the drive in. We had a wonderful lunch at the Warmhouse Restaurant and enjoyed watching four juvenile bald eagles and two adults that were hanging around on the beach and nearby.

The hike to the various Cape Flattery overlooks was generally in good shape. The boardwalks were a bit damp and slippery in some places but were fine if you took it slow. The views are amazing. We saw a sea lion, sea otter, eagle, grey whale and even a lone puffin! We spent a long time there but finally tore ourselves away to head on to Forks. I'm grateful to the Makah for welcoming guests to this beautiful spot!

#HikeaThon