My 17-year-old daughter and I did a three-night backpack from Third Beach to Oil City. We parked at the Oil City trailhead and took the Olympic Hiking Company shuttle from Oil City to Third Beach. This was totally worth not having to drive two cars, both in saving a tank of gas (and ferry fees if you come to the peninsula by ferry) and in getting to drive together. 

Day 1 started at the Third Beach trailhead with a completely easy 1.4 mile hike down to Third Beach. The beach was almost deserted (it was a Thursday) and we didn't stop for a rest, hiking south to the trailhead to Scott's Creek. Up a series of ladders into the forest and then an easy 1.2 mile hike down to Taylor Point. Originally we were going to wait out the tide and walk around, but then got restless and there are ropes both up and down. Definitely a muddy scramble with full packs, but worth not waiting an extra hour. 0.6 miles along the beach and then more ropes and ladders into the forest, but then an easy 0.3 miles down to Scott's Creek. We were going to spend the night at Scott's Creek, but had more gas left in our legs and so pushed on 1.3 miles to Strawberry Point. There is no water at Strawberry Point, but Toleak Point is only a little over a mile south and has plenty of water and without packs is an easy walk down the beach. We chose Strawberry Point because we had the beach entirely to ourselves versus about six groups at Toleak (likely because of freshwater access). 

Day 2 started hiking the 1.2 miles along the beach to Toleak to fill up on water for the day and then up the rope ladders again for 1.5 miles through the forest. Some fallen trees and a river to navigate, but that just added to the fun. Back on the beach we had an easy 2.2 miles to Mosquito Creek. Even though this was Friday, we still saw very few people and were mostly alone at Mosquito Creek. There was another group camping up in the forest, but we like to camp on the beach and we had the whole beach to ourselves. 

Day 3 we first had to cross Mosquito Creek which is easiest done at low tide. If you know how to ford rivers, you can probably do medium tide, but if you want to simply hike across the mouth, you need to plan for low tide. Then it was about four miles through the forest. Lots of down trees to go up and over or crawl underneath, which made it challenging and fun. That night we stopped at Jefferson Cove, but there is only one campsite there in the forest and none on the beach. Trust me on this, do not take your chances and go down to the beach just to check. I wouldn't stay there again. Too many people before us who did not understand leave no trace camping. Plus being up in the woods meant there were mosquitos, when there had been none on the beach. But we did have the one campsite to ourselves and from Jefferson Cove to Oil City you really do need a tide lower than 2.0 feet and it was fine for a night.

Day 4 we started at 8:30 because we knew we had to round Diamond Rock by 10:30 a.m. First an incredibly steep drop to the beach on more sand ladders. Then a really cool short walk across the beach with tons of tide pooling (starfish, crabs, anemone, etc.). What I thought was going to be a walk around Diamond Rock on the sand was actually a boulder field that you had to navigate. I took the lower route while my daughter took the higher one. I can't say which was easier, but it was probably a third of a mile up and over boulders before we got to beach on the other side. I've heard of people trying to navigate it with a higher tide and timing jumps between waves, but I wouldn't want to do that. Much safer to take it slowly and watch your footing. After that it was a short walk through the woods (turn left at the mouth of the Hoh) and back to our car. 

This totally could be done in three days and two nights and skip Jefferson Cove, but I also liked the way we broke it up for our first time.  

Backpacked this trail with my toddler. The parking lot was nearly full at 3 pm on this beautiful Saturday but we snagged one of the 2 open spots. The trail is nicely groomed and pretty wide for most of it. We encountered 1 tree down across the trail that was easy to go over. There is a little bit of mud still hanging out, but nothing crazy and it was easy to go around.

We got to the beach around 4 pm and there were about 10 other tents already set up. I snagged the first spot we came across but in hindsight would have walked down the beach a little further for more privacy. The evening was sunny and wonderful! There wasn’t a cloud in the sky so sunset was 10/10. We rallied until 9:45 pm exploring the beach and avoiding our hot tent. Sleep came easy once the sun had set and listening to the ocean all night.

We slept in till 8 am and had a slow morning drinking coffee and a bottle and walking on the beach taking it all in one more time before packing up. By 9:30 when we were leaving, it was already getting extremely hot so the coverage of trees on the trail was a warm (or cool) welcome. We passed less
than 10 people on our hike out compared to the 30+ on the hike in the day before.

I can definitely say we will be back to hike this one again!

Hiked in Thursday to beat the holiday weekend crowds. The trail was very muddy in places, but in good shape. However, some washouts under the wood/cable “ladder” let it sink to the side while climbing, making it a little extra interesting. For those without experience here, see the photos.
We camped at Scott’s Creek and understood there to be water there. While true, the creek is well up into the dense brush and feeds a swampy area that then drains to the ocean. In practice this means the water there isn’t something we were willing to even try filtering.
Given incoming tides, we hustled further down the beach toward Strawberry Point. 3/4 the way there (past the first point) we spotted a creek falling over rocks to the beach and got water there. Even after filtering that water it was still very tannin-tinged and tasted woody. We used it for coffee, but I’d suggest bringing extra water as it tastes strong enough to make you doubt your filter (neither of us got sick, but still).
Otherwise it was lovely, though the climbing in addition to the mileage was more exhausting than we anticipated.

North to South. Started in snow at the parking lot for third beach, upon returning to car days later snow was mostly gone. The first few overland trails are in fairly good condition. One night at Toleak and one at Mosquito Creek. Crotch level crossing at Goodman creek. Also pretty high and fast crossing Mosquito Creek. Camps at both spots were legit. The other overland trails, specifically over Hoh Head after Mosquito Creek is pretty gnarly up down, and lots of blow downs some you gotta stop and look for trail after getting around. Ropes and wood ladder stairs were helpful, but note they are washed out as well as signage at a few overland trails. Mud flows and such to contend with as well. Saw one tent day one at the beach, the rest was wildlife. *Definitely give yourself extra time to get go over Hoh Head as you will need to make it past 2 points once you're on the beach about a mile down if headed South

Highly suggest visiting this beach at low tide! I’ve never seen so many sea stars. It is a bit of a hike down to the beach - meaning a haul uphill on the way out. The trail is in good condition. Well-worth it to explore the rocks and stacks during low tide as we saw hundreds of sea stars and anenomes. Walk the beach to the waterfall, lots of tide pools in that area.