Third Beach to Oil City

Park: Olympic National Park, Pacific Coast region

24.6 km one way.

Approximate Elevations (in meters)
Start:	70	End:	0
Minimum:	0	Maximum:	75
Net Gain:	75	Cumulative Gain:

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Trailheads

Transportation is required at both ends.

Third Beach Trailhead: (115 km from Saanich Hall, ferry required). Drive west from Port Angeles on WA#101 turning right onto WA#110 about 1.5km north of the town of Forks, drive about 15 km to the signed trailhead. (A $0 parking fee is charged.)

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Toilets and/or outhouses

Oil City Trailhead: Drive west from Port Angeles on WA#101 to Oil City Road, about 27km south of Forks. Follow this road to the trail head which is at the very end.

Uses

Backpack

Moderate (backcountry permit required, fee charged).

3 days one way.

Suitable all year.

Description

Unconfirmed reports suggest that starting in May 2001 permits will no longer be available at the trailhead, they must be picked up in Forks.

This is a lovely backpack down a series of beaches on the outer Washington State Coast.

The following description is for hiking south from Third Beach to Oil City. The hike starts with a pleasant hike of around 1.5km through the rain forest to the Third Beach, a lovely, sandy wilderness beach from which you"ll have spectacular views of the Giant"s Graveyard. You continue south along the beach looking for a ladder and marker on the slope. The climb up this section is moderately difficult with a full pack, the ladder isn"t secured but the rope helps. Shortly after this ladder there is a second one, shorter but steeper than the first. Once up this you hike about 2km through the rain forest again until you reach the shore. Try to time this so you arrive with at least a 4.5 foot tide as the overland route around this headland is very steep and doesn"t appear in good shape. Continue south along the beach another 1km until you come to Strawberry Point. This point can only be rounded on a very low tide, most of the time you will have to use the overland route. The end of this section brings you to a good campsite on the south side of the point.

The next section of the trail is easy with a couple of minor tide considerations. Toleak Point is the next official campsite, 1.5km distant. Not long after the point the trail goes inland again crossing a creek (ford required, usually pretty minor). Once through this section (a long one) you are out on the beach again and headed south to Mosquito Creek. The crossing of this creek can be tricky, try to cross at low tide. At one time it was possible, via a longish detour, to cross the creek inland on some logs. There is no guarantee this route is still available.

If you have very low tides the next section can be hiked on the beach, a very nice alternative to the long inland route. You have to be alert to spot the marker for the trail up the headland that leads you back to the inland route.

UPDATE: July 2007: The extreme low tide route at Hoh Head is closed due to washout; please use the overland trail between Mosquito Creek and Jefferson Cove instead.

This route eventually puts you back on the final beach section. The first part of this is fairly good with few tide considerations but about half way down the beach there is a rocky section which requires favorable tides to round. Once through this section you come to a section with many logs tossed up on the beach. You are now near the Hoh River and Oil City which is a short distance inland from the beach (no oil, no city).

Features

This trail features animals (Coastal black-tailed deer, Raccoon), beaches, birds (Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican, Golden eagle), forests, marine mammals (Grey whale), natural wonders (Sea stacks), views, waterfalls and Sea stacks, tide pools.

Hazards

Boardwalk (can be very slippery in wet conditions)
some streams/rivers must be forded (if near the beach wait for low tide; undo your hip belt when crossing; wear running shoes or sandals). Be very careful with your timing so you can cross Mosquito Creek at low tide. At high tide, especially after rain, the waters can be high and the current swift.
headlands must be negotiated, this requires either timing to pass at a low, outgoing tide or using overland trails where available. Carry a map and tide tables, there are some areas which can only be passed at certain tide levels, heed the warnings on the map and use overland routes when available if the tide is too high. Try to round all headlands on falling tides.
ladders which must be climbed to get around some obstacles

Comments

Racoons can be a big problem along this trail. The Parks Service recommends carrying plastic buckets for hanging your food.

Campsites along the trail

Third Beach	Approx 1.5 km	Fire boxes Pit toilet	Water is unknown.
Scott Creek	Approx 3.5 km	Fire boxes Pit toilet	Water is unknown.
Strawberry Point	Approx 4.5 km	Fire boxes	Water is available.
Toleak Point	Approx 6.0 km	Pit toilet	Water is unknown.
Mosquito Creek	Approx 18.0 km	Fire boxes Pit toilet	Water is unknown.
Jefferson Cove	Approx 22.0 km	Fire boxes	Water is unknown.

Water

There are several creeks along the route, some may dry in the summer. Treat all water.