Cape Flattery Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Cape Flattery Trailhead
- End point: Cape Flattery
- Hike Type: In and out
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 270 feet on the way back
- High Point: 330 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
Cape Flattery, named on March 22nd, 1778, by Captain James Cook, guards the southern entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and is the northwesternmost point on the mainland of the continental United States: this is a fine point of distinction as Cape Alava to the south is actually the westernmost point. Here, however, the coastline is even more rugged. You'll hike above 40-80 foot sandstone cliffs in a dripping coniferous rain forest to look over sea stacks, surging surf, and deep coves on a narrow peninsula that juts towards Tatoosh island and its lighthouse. The trail is on Makah tribal land and you'll need a recreation permit, obtainable in Neah Bay, to use it. Historically, the Makah hunted seals and sea lions here, and collected sea bird eggs from nesting sites on the cliffs. Now it is a tribal nature reserve: keep your dog on a leash (Some "attack" breeds are not permitted at all) and pack out your garbage.
From the parking area, take the wide trail, a former road bed, into a lush coastal forest of western red-cedar, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red alder, a few old growth specimens among them. Descend to a boardwalk that wends its way through a boggy thicket of salmonberry and salad. The boardwalk transitions to a some circular paving stones and then drops on a rooty tread. You'll reach a narrow peninsula and find an observation platform on your left at the Hole-in-the-Wall Viewpoint. The cove here is bordered by vertical cliffs of sandstone and guarded at its mouth by a cluster of sea stacks known as the Kessiso Rocks. Flattery Creek splashes over a waterfall at the east end of the inlet.
Continue on the trail and enjoy two more observation decks that offer views to the cove on the north side of the peninsula. The convoluted coastline of low rocky islands and numerous sea caves is backed by sheer cliffs topped by the lush rain forest. Finally, reach the pentagonal observation platform on the middle claw of a three-clawed peninsula on the Cape Flattery headland. Look north and south at the indented coastline of coves, cliffs, fingers of rock, and stacks. Half a mile out to sea is flat Tatoosh Island, now part of the reservation and named after a revered Makah chieftain. The decommissioned Cape Flattery Lighthouse is visible. On a good day, the outline of Vancouver Island looms to the north. Look for seals and sea lions in the waters below or on Tatoosh Island if you have binoculars. Keep your eyes open for cormorants, murres, guillemots, and puffins in the churning surf or in nesting perches on the cliffs. You may even be lucky enough to spot a sea otter floating in the swells!
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Cape Flattery, WA #98S
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Olympic National Park
- Discover Your Northwest: Olympic Peninsula Map
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs on leash: Dobermans, Rottweilers, pit bulls not permitted on the Makah Reservation
- $10 Makah Recreation Permit required: available at various outlets in Neah Bay
- Restrooms at trailhead; picnic area at Cape Flattery
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Cape Flattery Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Cape Flattery Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano
- Best Easy Day Hikes: Olympic National Park by Erik Molvar
- Hiking Olympic National Park by Erik Molvar
- Washington Hiking by Craig Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Craig Hill & Matt Wastradowski
- Top Trails: Olympic National Park & Vicinity by Douglas Lorain
- Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington & the Cascades by Joan Burton
- Hiking Washington's History by Judy Bentley
- Washington Hiking by Scott Leonard
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
More Links
- The Cape Flattery Trail (Makah Tribal Council)
- Cape Flattery (Washington Trails Association)
- Cape Flattery - cape flattery map - cape flattery lighthouse (Travel in World-YouTube)
- Cape Flattery (Wikipedia)
- Caving at Cape Flattery (Jason Learned-YouTube)
- Tatoosh Island, Washington (Wikipedia)
- Cape Flattery, WA (Lighthouse Friends)
- Cape Flattery Light (Wikipedia)
- Neah Bay Activities and Attractions (Makah Tribal Council)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)