Northwestern Washington

Cape Flattery

I've been idle for awhile with the roaming about but Friday night we decided to load up the Chinook and leave within the hour for the northwesternmost point in the continental United States, Cape Flattery. The cape is located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca where it meets the Pacific Ocean.  It is a vast headland of sea stacks, deep narrow coves, and rugged beauty.  With the late departure, we didn't make our final destination and opted to do a little boondock camping on a forest service road that provided access to a tree farm of some sort.  The gate was unlocked so we drove in about a mile or so and found a flat spot down a side road leading back in the trees.  Little bit of a scare the following morning as I heard a truck coming in and went by us out on the main gravel road.  I could see the markings on the truck and it was a government vehicle.  My first thought was, I hope like hell he didn't lock that gate.  Thirty minutes later as I roll up on the gate it's pulled across the road.  Uh oh, this is not good.  Luckily he'd closed it but didn't lock it. Could have been a long day trying to get out of there because the road going back in the direction we'd come was really not suited for the Chinook. 

A full moon was rising once we stopped so I set up the tripod and took a few shots before calling it a night.

   View from the point looking out at Tatoosh Island.  Has a decommissioned lighthouse on it that was built in 1854.  The island was named after a chief of the Makah Tribe, Chief Tatooche.

Second night out the camping spot we ended up taking didn't provide the solitude of our first night camp.  The Makah Indian Tribe owns the land along the coast here and boondock camping is sparse and heavily frowned upon by the Makah tribe.  We ended staying in one of their campgrounds which consist of a huge field that you simply drive in, pick a level spot and call it good.  $20 per night but they do provide showers and restrooms.  It was crowded as the weather along the coast was exceptionally good which brought out the campers and surfers.  I normally detest staying in places like this but it wasn't all that bad for one night.  We strolled around looking at all the different rigs, hiked the campground beach and later that afternoon hiked the trail going to Shi Shi Beach.

Petey making new friends.

 Hike to Shi Shi Beach.

Following day we were up early and heading back down the coast.  Plan was to drive back home but a wrong turn somewhere and we were headed further south down the coastline so what the hell......we'll stay out one more night and do some exploring and hiking before finding another spot to camp. 

We drove into Lake Quinault looking for a spot to camp and ended up staying in one of their established campgrounds.  A small campground located directly on the lake with numerous hiking trails nearby.  Hung out, did some more hiking and had an expensive pizza from the general store that night.  The lodge on the lake is worth checking out.  It was built in 1926 and is located within the Olympic National Park. Lots of old photographs and historic writings about the area can be viewed in the lodge.  Franklin Roosevelt stayed here in the early 30's.

Historic Quinault Lodge

Large chess set in the lodge lobby.

Beach area at the lodge.

Petey getting in some backroad exploration.

Great swimming spot off one of the many trails.

If you haven't been out to this area it is worth checking out.  I'm sure we'll be back as there is just so much to see out on the Olympic Peninsula.  I'll be headed up to Bella Coola in British Columbia the first two weeks in Sept.  Hopefully, to run into lots of grizzlies as they'll be feeding on the Salmon run soon.