Day 2
6.6 miles 821ft gain/788ft loss, fitbit steps: 20,362. Waking up to no rain on the coast is a glorious thing. Some clouds, but none of the wet stuff!! After a little breakfast and coffee off the damaged, but still functional Jetboil, and we pack up to make the return trip.
“…Also, exposing the sun backed stench of things dead and decaying…”
Turns out to be a great day to hike, not too hot, under clouds drifting by the sun, reminding me of driving in a car on a tree lined roadway, the light going first bright, then dim as the trees pass by…It’s calm with a very light breeze, and it’s a slack tide, exposing seaweed covered rocks along the shore. Also, exposing the sun backed stench of things dead and decaying…Rounding Toleak Point, we’re happy we didn’t camp here, as the smell is reminiscent of an open sewer…In July…Not pleasant…
We make our way along the coast snapping pictures as we go, not really wanting to leave, so we’re in no great rush just taking a nice stroll along the sunny beaches…
We get to the overland route that leads us back to the car, and I stop to take a final panoramic shot with the camcorder, and then, as if on cue as I pan left to right, a big buck, his horns all in velvet, strolls into the shot and jogs along the beach not 20 feet away, making a perfect ending to a great weekend on the beach.
Arriving back at the car, we load our gear, happy to have no injuries (other than a few gear failures), and to have had the hike go so well, especially since this was Maria’s first backpack experience!!
A great first hike for someone just getting into the adventure of backpacking. Fairly low miles, lots of scenery, mild terrain, and the ability to have a fire on the beach…
This route from Third Beach to Toleak Point offers an up close and personal experience beside the pounding surf of the Washington Coast.
Yes, it does, a great way to easily get out and experience some of the wild northern portion of the Washington coast!
Glad you stumbled upon it, and that I had some useful information for you…Have added a few more for 2017, and still more to come as the backpacking season unfolds…Again, thank you so much for the kind words!!