Shi-Shi Beach

Park: Olympic National Park, Pacific Coast region

3.0 km one way.

Terrain: Intermediate

Shi-Shi Beach trailhead: (150 km from Saanich Hall, ferry required). Take the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. Drive west on US #101 to US #112. Turn north and drive thru Clallam Bay. Continue west, at the junction with the Lake Ozette road stay to the right and drive to Neah Bay. Buy a Makah Recreation Permit ($15/yr in 2008) at one of the outlets (the museum is a good choice provided you are not in a hurry). Continue driving west through Neah Bay following the signs to Cape Flattery. Watch for the Waatch River on your left. A short distance along the river turn left on Hobuck Road. Cross the bridge over the river and stay on the paved road. The well marked trailhead is a couple of miles south on your right hand side. If you are staying overnight you cannot park at the trailhead, instead drive about 1km back and park inside a marked property. The parking fee is $10/night (2008). (A $15 parking fee is charged.)

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Toilets and/or outhouses

Uses

Backpack	Easy to moderate (backcountry permit required).	1 hour one way.	Suitable all year.
Dayhike	Easy to moderate day hike .	1 hour one way.	Suitable all year.

Description

There are two routes to reach Shi-Shi Beach, the easiest being driving through Neah Bay and then south along Hobuck Road. The trail from this point is short and relatively easy. It can be divided into three approximately equal segments, open forest, re-growth and mud. The trail bed is in generally good condition for the first 2/3 of the route and then deteriorates as you reach the muddy section. The final section of the trail involves a steepish descent on trail to the beach. There are campsites in the forest as the bottom of the trail or you can camp on the beach.

It is will worth the short hike from the camping area south to the Point of Arches. Access further south is restricted by tides, make sure you check the tides and be aware of weather and local variations in the tide times. Also check out the dramatic sea stacks at Portage Head north of Shi-Shi Beach.

Features

This trail features beaches, forests and rivers.

Hazards

Logs can crush whether from actions of the sea or due to imbalance.
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)
route-finding skills are required

Last hiked:June 15, 2008

View trail condition reports for this trail.