Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall, Chilean Memorial & Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) — Saturday, May. 16, 2015

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast

Friday Evening: Stopped in Port Angeles around 3:30 PM and picked up our permit and bear cans. Then we drove to Rialto Beach and dropped off one vehicle (Drove two vehicles) Rialto would be the end point. Arrived at Ozette Lake Campground and set up camp for the evening. Saturday Morning: We woke up with the birds. Got a later start than we planned but still early. The day’s destination would be Yellow Bans where we would camp for the night. So we set out from Lake Ozette down the beautiful 3 mile boardwalk to Sand point passing through lush forest and beautiful meadows. The parks have down an outstanding job on the boardwalk. Lots has been replaced and is nice and new. We made it to Sand Point fairly quickly. From there we traveled down the beautiful beach to the first headland crossing where we would find Yellow Banks on the other side. Unfortunately, the tide was already coming in by the time we got to this point. We were able to get up on the rocks using an up and over area. Then it goes down into a cave area that opens up to the ocean you could go out and climb around the rocks, but the rocks were slippery and one fall your in the ocean. So you could climb up and down into this steep slippery muddy area. Once down this you come out to a rock scramble to reach the Yellow Banks. We set up camp, started a fire and relaxed. Just to the right of us was a pair of eagles nesting. That was a nice treat. We had time to just relax and explore. I have to say though, Yellow Banks was not that beautiful of an area. We camped on the beach, my first time. I didn’t sleep a wink. My heart racing with every wave crashing on the shore, feeling like each wave was going to come right up and over us and take us out to sea. Oh and there are rodents there. I could here them chewing around the tent and had what was probably a rat brush up against the outside of the tent by my head. Is it morning yet? Sunday Yellow Banks to Chilean Memorial. Other backpackers we passed gave warning that between Yellow Banks and Norwegian Memorial was no walk in the park and the worst part of the hike. They were not kidding. From the time you leave Yellow Banks you are traveling over large rocks, boulders, basalt, and seaweed covered rocks and very slippery areas. You endure this for about 5 plus miles. I was spent absolutely spent by the time we made it to the Norwegian Memorial. At this point I wished a helicopter could come pick me up and drop me off back at Sand Point. …..No Such luck. There is no turning back, only pushing forward. My reprieve came as the tide was already in to far to get around the next headland to Cedar Creek. So we had a nice fire on the beach, rehydrated, and ate some protein packed meals. In addition, I took my sleeping bag out and curled up and went to sleep getting a good nap in. By the time the tide went out, I was reenergized and ready to go. We crossed this headland with no problem. This had large boulders to cross. But the payoff was on the other side. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Absolutely beautiful scenery. Nice sand beach with big beautiful sea stacks abound. We only enjoyed it for a few minutes as we had to push on. We came to the impassable headland as indicated on the map. We had to go up and over a fairly steep cliff face with our 45 lb packs using the single rope to hold onto as we pull ourselves up and over. Onward we go. One more headland to go around and we will have arrived at our evening’s destination the Chilean Memorial. This is in a beautiful cove with sea stacks and a sandy beach. I found a nice flat cleared area above the beach to set up our tent hoping tonight I would sleep better. We enjoyed a nice fire on the beach, eating supper and watching the sunset. It was a pretty clear night so we got to see quite a few stars as well. We had this area all to ourselves. Not another soul there. Monday We woke up around 5:30 am, took down the tent, had breakfast and packed up. We have 3.8 miles until Rialto Beach the end point in this journey. We had to cross just below this boulder field, so we were walking through slippery rocks covered in seaweed, tide pools, and around down trees. We rounded the corner from the Chilean and had a long haul across this large open tidal flats. Again, you are really watching every step. It would be so easy to fall, roll an ankle, etc. There were intermittent periods of beach which was a nice reprieve from the rocks. Then we see it Hole in the Wall. I see an end in site. There is no stopping me now. We make it to Hole in the Wall and go right on through to the other side. Yay, Rialto Beach. We have made it. Now in the home stretch I’m pushing hard. I don’t even want to take anymore pictures. My feet hurt, my body aches, and I wanna get this pack off my back. We made it to the car at just after 10 am. This was our first backpacking trip. It was rewarding yet challenging. We learned several lessons on this first backpacking trip. Hopefully, the next one we will apply what we learned from this. Positives: Got to spend three days with my best friend and love of my life. His patience and strength are amazing. Eagles, various shore birds, wildlife. We saw a deer and raccoon. Saw tracks all over for coyote and maybe a bobcat. Beautiful scenery. Solitude Negatives Beach camps are not clearly marked. When they say rugged coast can be treacherous heed that warning. It’s very true. Rocks, slippery rocks, dangerous up and over headland crossings. Sore feet