Who hasn’t tried to reach Cape Flattery during the day and turned around a few miles from Port Angeles after realizing that it wasn’t feasible? Cape Flattery, the westernmost cape in Washington State has to be earned; without stopping, it’s at least four and a half hour drive.
It would be a mistake not to take your time. Some say that the coast is beautiful and bewitching, others find it hostile and the melancholy landscapes almost depressing, but the excess of nature is fascinating.
The trees are immense–especially in the rainforest–with the moss falling from the trees, full of moisture. It is a unique type of nature; the road that runs along the coast does not allow you to cross Indian reserves and bypassing them extends your route. As a result, you cross the lands of the Hoh, Quinault, Quileute, and Makah tribes.
Give yourself 3 days to soak in the amazing atmosphere. It rains twice as much in the Olympic Mountains as in Seattle so the best time to go there in the summer months!
Below is an overview of a 3-day trip:
First stop at Aberdeen, which you can reach by Tacoma or, for a more pleasant trip, by ferry via Bremerton. If you do, why not stop at Lake Quinault? It is very pretty Lodge built in 1926.
Follow the coast and discover the many beaches, finally reaching Ruby Beach.
The beaches are huge. You can drive to the sea but beware of the horses! Life on these huge beaches along the Pacific is amazing, beaten by the wind they welcome riders, kites, sand yachts.
If you continue north, you are not allowed to cross the Hoh River Bridge, this is a Native American reservation. Go and see the mouth of the river. The landscapes at the entrance of the rivers are crowded with logs and the basins are calm compared to the waves that approach the coast.
Go around the Hoh reserve by Forks and to reach La Push. Who doesn’t remember the film Twilight, the “Hoh rainforest”; and the disturbing, even sinister images of scenes shot in the forest?
Once again, you are forced to drive several miles inside the Peninsula without the right to drive along the coast. Hikers can walk on the Lake Ozette trail, and then arrive at Cape Flattery.
Before going to admire the view of Cape Town, make a stop at the Makah Museum–it is a must see!
You are three hours from Kingston where you take the ferry to Edmonds. On the way back, you pass Port Angeles, but you can stop in Port Towsend if you have time!
Maria
