Cape Flattery — Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025

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.