Shi Shi Beach

The guys planned a surprise weekend trip for Sarah and I which turned to be out a really great relaxing trip. We headed out Friday after work knowing we needed to be packed for backpacking, but not sure where we were headed. When we caught the Bainbridge Ferry, we were pretty confident we were headed to the Olympics but they still refused to divulge any information. We set up camp Friday night at Leland Lake campground which we had mostly to ourselves.

Saturday started with a stop in Port Angeles for permits, bear canisters, and coffee. We then drove onto the Makah Reservation where we picked up an additional permit and parked in a private overnight lot about a mile from the Shi Shi Beach trailhead. We loaded up and hit the trail. The trail goes for about 2 miles on reservation land until you hit the Olympic National Park boundary and drop down to the beach. On the beach it is another mile or 2 to Point of the Arches, a dramatic set of rocks and cliffs on the beach. We set up camp in the trees near one of the creeks that enters the beach. There were quite a few groups out, but the noise of the ocean and the thick forest around our camp gave us the feeling of being all alone.

Overlooking Shi Shi Beach

Beach Hiking

Our Campground

It was a gloriously warm day which we spent lounging in the sand and exploring the area. After dinner we walked down to Point of the Arches to check out the tide pools and watch the sunset. It was a fabulous night. The next morning Sam & Sarah headed out early to check out the new tide pools exposed by the mornings low tide. A little before lunch we headed back up the beach and to the cars. It was a very relaxing beautiful weekend.

Tide Pools

Exploring Point of the Arches

Sunset

More Sunset

Back at camp