We headed to the beach to try out Copalis River Spit in Copalis Beach and Damon Point State Park in Ocean Shores. These are each 4 mile round trip beach hikes that offer few people, many birds (type and number), and easy year-round walking. Damon Point has incredibly pretty stones and pebbles, and we saw an endangered snowy plover. We also saw a crow chasing a bald eagle that was flying high above with what looked like a small weasel (still wiggling - what a view before he went!) in its talons. Copalis Beach Spit ends at the Copalis River which flaunts a stunning range of hues from clear to red to black to every shade of tea. The ocean was not too cold at either with calm surf for safe swimming, especially at Damon Point where the old jetty makes a protected swimming area. These would both be wonderful hikes in windy, stormy weather. As it turned out, we had lots of sunbreaks. Access to both is easy and paved. Discover Pass required at both. Pics are at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51278183@N05/sets/72157630099996304/

We read about this hike in Craig Romano's book, "Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula". To reach the TH go west from Hoquiam on SR 109 for 21 miles to Coplalis Beach turning left at the Green Lantern Tavern onto Benner Road. The park entrance is 0.2 miles. A Discovery Pass is required. Round trip is 4 miles, but we probably walked only 3 plus miles as the day was wet and windy. From the TH it is a .75 mile walk through grass covered dunes to the ocean. Where Conner Creek goes into the ocean one can usually access the ocean beach. However the trail appeared to have eroded away so we continued along the wide sometimes water-covered trail through the dunes for about another 1/2 mile before the trail turned to the beach. There were hundreds of shore birds along the edge of the ocean. The rain was blowing side ways so we were at the beach a very short time so never reached the Copalis River. The vegetation on the dunes was beautiful!

Hiked this in rainy, cloudy, and cold weather. Other than the wet weather, this was quite enjoyable! I'm used to hiking in forest, mountain type trails in Issaquah and North Bend so this was a nice change of scenery. Finding the trailhead was a bit confusing. It is just past the large covered picnic tables in the park area. It starts out through some grass, then through a little bit of brush. Once you hit the wooden path, you are greeted with a gorgeous view of the Pacific! The trail follows the coast northward and splits off to many smaller trails through the grass. Most of what you see are large grass fields alongside the sand. There is virtually no elevation gain at all. We would have followed the main trail a bit more, but there was too much water on it. We turned back after about 1.5mi into it and enjoyed navigating the smaller trails through the grass. Dogs would love this easy little hike!

Today I visited this beach north of bustling Ocean Shores and found only rippling dune grasses, sea birds, gleaming sea and sand dunes. No vehicles and barely any people. It is part of Griffiths Priday State Park. No camping. From Hoquiam, follow Hwy 109 for 21 miles to reach the community of Copalis Beach. Turn left at the Green Lantern Tavern, and follow the short access road to the parking lot and picnic area. Then walk an old jeep trail through the dunes to parallel the flowing waters of Conner Creek. At .75 miles, you can drop down on the smooth sandy beach and walk...for miles. I found lots of sea shells and interesting beach junk, views of the ocean and sea stacks further up the coast. It was a pleasant way to end a great Thanksgiving weekend, blue skies and mild temperatures, sea and sky.