Kalaloch (Claylock), 35 miles south of Forks Washington, has the charm of an ocean side fishing village, but all the amenities of a fine resort where you can stop, look and listen to the ocean.
The long, straight and wide sand beach is
among its multiple appeals.
There, you'll find a modest lodge, built in 1953, with eight rooms, 40 cabins and the 10
room Seacrest, which, with the cabins, is perched on a bluff overlooking the beach and the
Pacific Ocean.
The log cabins, which sit back from the bluff edge, have fireplaces and kitchens. Four
Seacrest suites and 10 of the cozy bluff cabins also have fire places and 12 of the bluff
cottages have kitchens. The best ocean view is from four rooms in the lodge and the bluff
cottages.
It's best to book early because through the summer, Kalaloch is booked 6-9 months in advance, but there are cancellations so they advise you to call anyway.
Open year round, it's a great place to watch Pacific storms, or the gray whale migration in season (spring and fall). Claming is a popular activity here during the season. Check before digging because licenses are required and open days are few. Hiking is another favorite activity and guided tours are available in season.
Other amenities at the lodge include a dining room, lounge, coffee shop, gift shop and service station.
The first non-Indians to settle in the area opened a cannery in about 1890 which employed about 15-20 workers. Placer gold mining was popular about the same time and sluice boxes dotted the banks of creeks flowing into the ocean. A resort opened in kalaloch in the late 1920s, shortly before the completion of the Olympic Loop highway. The Coast Guard used the property during World War It to patrol the beaches and prevent enemy landings as well as to prevent someone on-shore from signaling enemy ships at sea.
Nearby is the Kalaloch Nature Trail which takes you on an exploration of the deeper forest along Kalaloch Creek.
Beach 1
0.9 miles south of Beach Beach 1 is reached by a 0.1 mile Trail that meanders a forest of spruce trees.
Beach 2
0.9 miles south of Kalaloch Lodge:,There are piles of driftwood at the base of the trail. It is wide and sandy covered with huge driftwood logs.
Beach 3
0.6 miles south of Beach 4, Beach 3 is reached by a 0.1 mile trail. A secluded, sandy beach stretches out beneath steep bluffs where matted conifers have been twisted by sea winds.
Beach 4
Slightly over 1 1/2 miles south of the cedar tree is pebbled Beach 4 popular for its tide pools which are well worth exploring. Watch out for a strong undertow.
Beach 6
A mile past the Destruction Island viewpoint is a 0.1 trail to Beach 6 where you'll find bulwarks of ships, grounded between 1850-80, at the,mouth of Steamboat Creek. Beach 6 lies beneath steep and colorful cliffs, and provides a vantage point for whale watching in season.
Just past this is a spur road leading 0.4 of a mile to a large cedar tree.
Kalaloch Beach
2-1/2miles south of Beach 3, there is a large campground with nearly 200 sites, tables, fireplaces, and rest rooms. A one mile forest trail follows Kalaloch Creek.
Credits for the photos above
Top left Photo by Kyle S. Smith
Distributed by Smith-Western Co.
P.O. Box 1573 Tacoma Wa.98401
Top right by Gil Fain Magnificent Photos
