Ozette Triangle Trail (Cape Alava Loop)

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Overview

Trail Features

Dogs
Not Allowed
Fees
None
Kids
Allowed
Route
Loop
Users
Hikers Only
Length
9.4
Parking
Yes
Surface
Dirt and Rock
Bathrooms
Yes
Elevation Gain
100 foot gain
Difficulty
Beginner
Trail Hours
All
Parking Hours
All
Water Fountains
None
Vending Machines
None

Ozette Triangle, also known as Cape Alava Loop, is a very popular triangle-shaped 9.4 mile loop along the northern part of the Olympic National Forest coast. From the trailhead, three legs—roughly three miles each—form the triangle shape of the loop. The most popular route begins on the northern trail, the Cape Alava Trail. You walk over boardwalks and through dense forest, approaching the ocean smell and sound of waves crashing. Once at the Pacific Coast, turn left and head south, following the Washington coastline. After three miles turn left to connect to the Sandy Point Trail, which will lead you back to the original trailhead. Because of its convenient shape, you can do this as a loop or as an out-and-back hike, deciding how much of the coastline you would like to explore.

With minimal elevation gain, the loop can be completed in one day or the trip can be extended into an overnight backpacking trip. Overnight camping requires bear canisters, which are available for rent through the forest service, and camping permits from May 1st through September 30th. Because of the extreme popularity of the trail, reservations before your trip are often the only way to obtain the permit. There are two reliable streams that can provide water for your trip, but make sure you clean your water with a certified filter. Even after, the water may have a slight reddish-brown tint and taste a little metallic. This is natural from mineral deposits, and the water is still safe to drink as long as it has been filtered or boiled. The low elevation gain of the trail makes it a fantastic introductory hike or backpacking trip for beginners or children.

Finally, be smart and never turn your back to the ocean when hiking along the coast! Sneaker waves are common and can suck hikers out to sea when they are not paying attention. If stuck in a strong tide, do not swim against the tide. Instead, swim parallel to the coast to escape the tide and then swim back to shore. A tide chart is necessary to complete the coastal section of the trail. There are two headlands that must be ascended via rope ladders during high tide. The ladders are steep and may be intimidating for first-time hikers and children. However, there is a rewarding view at the top, and they are easier than they look!

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Description

This route description suggests beginning this hike by heading northwest on the Cape Alava Trail, then heading south along the Pacific Coast, and using the Sandy Point Trail to connect back to the trail head. That said, the loop can be completed in the opposite direction or done as a roughly six-mile out-and-back by selecting either the Cape Alava or Sandy Point Trail.

The trailhead starts next to Ozette Lake. Eight miles wide and three miles long, Ozette Lake is the largest unaltered lake in Washington. From the parking lot you will quickly cross over the Ozette River before coming to a fork in the trail; head right to begin the Cape Alava Trail. Sandy Point Trail is the trail to the left and will be your return trail. Cape Alava Trail includes boardwalks to protect wilderness and help with trail drainage during the wet season. Be careful, these trail features are slipping hazards when they are wet or icy. The trail gains slight elevation through dense forests of western red cedars. In the undergrowth, you will see licorice ferns, bog skunk cabbage, salal, and many evergreen varieties.

Just after the two miles in, you will arrive at Ahlstrom’s Prairie. Natural growth covers most the evidence of the farm owned by two Swedish immigrants in this soggy meadow. Soon after, you will hear sounds of ocean waves and smell the salt water. Pass along dispersed camping sites at the final part of Cape Alava Trail, coming upon a photographic ocean view, with Tskawahyah Island visible from the beach. From here, turn left and follow the coastline south. If walking during low tide, many hikers prefer to walk closer to the ocean because the sand is firmer, making for easier walking.

For those completing the loop, the Pacific Coast quickly rewards hikers with historical and natural wonders. After beginning the coastal segment of the trail, an observant hiker will find the sacred petroglyphs of the Wedding Rocks, but please be respectful of these artifacts predating European settlement of the Northwest. Natural beauty is also abundant, with sea lions and otters often present. With the proximity of the forest, deer, fawn, and eagles are often also present along the coast. Travel with a tide chart, which is provided by the ranger stations. There are two headlands marked with orange and black circles which require traveling up and over during high tide. Traveling around the hill area and along the coast is not possible during these times. Look for yellow rope ladders to assist you over these obstacles, which also provide nice viewpoints from the top.

After descending or bypassing the second headland, hug the shoreline and look for the orange and black discs that mark the trailway (the same discs marking high tide crossing over headlands). This sign will mark the connection to Sandy Point Trail. Make sure to enjoy Sandy Point’s beautiful beaches and sand spots before following the last leg of the trail. From here, it is a gentle three miles back to Ozette Loop trailhead with zero to little elevation gain.

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History

Reaching the 2.25 mile mark of the Cape Alava Trail, you will find the Ahlstrom Prairie. Two Swedish immigrants settled in this area in 1908. While they managed to create a 160-acre farm of sheep, livestock, and vegetables, the boggy area proved too difficult to sustain a farm.

Of course, before the Ahlstrom Prairie, Native Americans inhabited the area. The name Ozette Lake means “Large Lake” in the native tongue of the Makah Tribe, the Native American inhabitants before European settlement. European contact with the Makah people dates to the 1700s; in the mid 19th century the United States Government enforced many treaties with the tribe that would radically alter the Makah access to their culture, land, and resources. Through education, missionaries, and many other means, the U.S. attempted to assimilate the people, but the Makah people today still celebrate and live their ancient cultures. Some of the more known artifacts from Native populations along the coastal section of the land are the petroglyphs found near Wedding Rocks area.

Petroglyphs are rock carvings often featuring sea animals such as whales or seals. They can be found in low tide around large boulders near the Wedding Rocks area. The ranger station provides handouts to assist hikers in finding them. These artifacts are thought of as being beyond art, with petroglyphs thought to be symbols or reflections of native people’s culture and land. Native people have explained petroglyphs as being designed and placed with specific intentions and not by random chance or whim; their meaning can range from strongly personal and individual, to expressing something about a specific tribe, family, or something larger. For this reason, please respect the artifacts and do not disturb them.

Sources

https://makah.com/makah-tribal-info/

https://www.nps.gov/petr/learn/historyculture/why.htm

https://www.danielleen.org/petroglyphs.html

https://www.gore-tex.com/blog/ozette-triangle-101-near-drowning-experience

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