Pacific Beaches 1st 2nd and 3rd
Beaches Lapush Lapush Washington
Information
First Beach and James Island (12 miles from Forks) Abundant
driftwood from nearby forest guards the broad sandy beach
where visitors and local townspeople alike can enjoy the
ever changing moods of the wild Olympic coast.
During the spring and fall, whales can be viewed from the beaches when they come close to shore during the annual migrations. The beaches offer scenic views, driftwood, tide pools and wildlife for those who enjoy good surf, bring a wet suit, board or kayak.
SECOND BEACH is an exceptional stretch of wilderness coastline on Olympic National Park. The broad sandy beach and picturesque sea stacks, relics of ancient rocky headlands, make it a perfect place to observe the grandeur of the primal forces of nature.
During the spring and fall, whales can be viewed from the beaches when they come close to shore during the annual migrations. The beaches offer scenic views, driftwood, tide pools and wildlife for those who enjoy good surf, bring a wet suit, board or kayak.
SECOND BEACH is an exceptional stretch of wilderness coastline on Olympic National Park. The broad sandy beach and picturesque sea stacks, relics of ancient rocky headlands, make it a perfect place to observe the grandeur of the primal forces of nature.
Lapush Beaches 1st 2nd & 3rd Beaches
Second Beach which has sheltering cliffs. At low tide, shallow tide
pools brim with intertidal life. Impressive sea stacks-the
Quillayute Needles are close inshore.
THIRD BEACH
A dramatic mile-wide sweep of sand, driftwood and sea stacks with tide pools at the north end.There's a boiler in the swamp by the one-and-a-half mile trail to the beach, from an, abortive oil exploration in 1902. At Taylor Point, a waterfall pours into the sea from cliffs at south end. Teahwhit Head blocks the way to Second Beach.
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First, Second, and Third Beaches. Each one is sandy and broad and hemmed in by dramatic bluffs and headlands. And while they're in close proximity to each other, you can't hike from one to the next because those headlands block the way. With roadside access, First Beach is the easiest to get to and so can be crowded. Third Beach requires a 1.2-mile slog down a forested trail. But Second Beach is just right: a hike just long enough to discourage crowds, yet short enough to encourage all who want to see this beautiful beach.
Well-constructed and well-maintained, the trail starts on the Quileute Indian Reservation. Immediately cross a small creek lined with imposing Sitka spruce before beginning a short climb. At the height of the land enter Olympic National Park, and then begin a short, steep descent to the beach, the distant surf growing louder with each step you take. Soon, start catching glimpses of offshore sea stacks through the surrounding towering spruce. Before you know it, emerge on the log-lined shore. Take a deep breath. The beauty of this place just may leave you short of breath.
You can hike a short distance along the beach northward. Do it, for it'll lead you to a natural arch. But to really stretch your legs and get the most out of Second Beach, head south. Over 1 mile of sandy beach awaits your footprints.
Immediately offshore is a consortium of battered islets and sea stacks known as the Quillayute Needles. Crying Lady Rock is the largest of the batch. These forbidding landmarks are part of the Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge. Inhospitable to humans, they're productive breeding grounds to thousands of seabirds, oystercatchers, murres, gulls, petrels, cormorants, and auklets among them.
Continue wandering. Taste the salty spray coming off the crashing breakers. Eventually you'll come to an impasse, the headland named Teahwhit Head. But before you turn around and retrace your steps, scan the rugged bluff. Teahwhit Head is also graced with a natural arch. In retrospect you may conclude that with two arches, an awesome seascape, scores of pelagic birds, and an inviting sandy shoreline, Second Beach is second to none.
THIRD BEACH
A dramatic mile-wide sweep of sand, driftwood and sea stacks with tide pools at the north end.There's a boiler in the swamp by the one-and-a-half mile trail to the beach, from an, abortive oil exploration in 1902. At Taylor Point, a waterfall pours into the sea from cliffs at south end. Teahwhit Head blocks the way to Second Beach.
MORE...
First, Second, and Third Beaches. Each one is sandy and broad and hemmed in by dramatic bluffs and headlands. And while they're in close proximity to each other, you can't hike from one to the next because those headlands block the way. With roadside access, First Beach is the easiest to get to and so can be crowded. Third Beach requires a 1.2-mile slog down a forested trail. But Second Beach is just right: a hike just long enough to discourage crowds, yet short enough to encourage all who want to see this beautiful beach.
Well-constructed and well-maintained, the trail starts on the Quileute Indian Reservation. Immediately cross a small creek lined with imposing Sitka spruce before beginning a short climb. At the height of the land enter Olympic National Park, and then begin a short, steep descent to the beach, the distant surf growing louder with each step you take. Soon, start catching glimpses of offshore sea stacks through the surrounding towering spruce. Before you know it, emerge on the log-lined shore. Take a deep breath. The beauty of this place just may leave you short of breath.
You can hike a short distance along the beach northward. Do it, for it'll lead you to a natural arch. But to really stretch your legs and get the most out of Second Beach, head south. Over 1 mile of sandy beach awaits your footprints.
Immediately offshore is a consortium of battered islets and sea stacks known as the Quillayute Needles. Crying Lady Rock is the largest of the batch. These forbidding landmarks are part of the Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge. Inhospitable to humans, they're productive breeding grounds to thousands of seabirds, oystercatchers, murres, gulls, petrels, cormorants, and auklets among them.
Continue wandering. Taste the salty spray coming off the crashing breakers. Eventually you'll come to an impasse, the headland named Teahwhit Head. But before you turn around and retrace your steps, scan the rugged bluff. Teahwhit Head is also graced with a natural arch. In retrospect you may conclude that with two arches, an awesome seascape, scores of pelagic birds, and an inviting sandy shoreline, Second Beach is second to none.