Olympic Coast Route
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Weather data is unavailable, which is a real gap for the Olympic Coast in mid-November — this is one of the most storm-exposed coastlines in the lower 48. The stream flow data provided is from central California gauges and has no relevance to Olympic Peninsula crossings. Plan for short daylight (under 9.5 hours) and check NWS Port Angeles before you leave.
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0" depth
Elevated flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
9h 28m daylight · Sunrise 7:19 AM · Sunset 4:48 PM
Full Briefing
The biggest issue with this briefing is a data mismatch that needs to be called out directly: the five stream gauges provided are all in California's Central Coast and Salinas Valley watersheds — the San Antonio River, Salinas River, Llagas Creek near Gilroy, and Alameda Creek near Sunol. None of these have any bearing on the Olympic Coast Route. The Olympic Peninsula has its own hydrology, fed by one of the wettest climates in the contiguous U.S., and the relevant crossings — Goodman Creek, Jefferson Creek, Mosquito Creek, and others depending on your specific route segment — are not reflected in this data at all. Do not use the California gauge readings to make crossing decisions on this trip.
NWS weather data is also unavailable, which matters a lot here. November on the Olympic Coast averages 15-20+ inches of rain for the month, and multi-day Pacific systems regularly produce high surf, elevated river flows, and impassable headland bypasses. Without a current forecast, you're flying blind on the most consequential variable for this route. Pull the NWS Seattle forecast for the North Coast and check the Quillayute (UIL) station forecast before departing. Look specifically at wave height forecasts — certain headland bypasses are only passable at low tide in calm surf, and 10-12 foot swells combined with high tide can trap parties for hours or overnight.
Daylight is a real constraint. You have 9h 28m from sunrise to sunset, with golden hour starting at 4:01 PM. The Olympic Coast involves tide-dependent travel windows, and those windows don't care about your daylight schedule. Build your daily plans around the tide table first, then daylight second. Getting caught on a headland bypass at dusk on an incoming tide is a serious situation. Download the tide tables for La Push or Neah Bay for Nov 11-14 before you go.
No active fires within 50 miles and zero snowpack at relevant elevations — both are non-issues and not what this coast is about in November anyway. The Olympic Coast Route is a go in November for experienced parties, but only with current weather and surf forecasts in hand. Get those before you commit.
Waypoints
Rialto Beach
Start from Rialto Beach parking area near La Push.
10 ft
Chilean Memorial
Memorial to a Chilean ship wreck. Good camp spots nearby.
16 ft
Norwegian Memorial
Established beach camp. Tidal pools accessible at low tide.
49 ft
Sand Point
Southern end of the route. Trail leads back to Ozette Lake trailhead.
10 ft
Route Details
Distance
22.0 mi
Elevation Gain
2,001 ft
Elevation Loss
2,001 ft
Max Elevation
299 ft
Estimated Days
3
Trailhead
Rialto Beach
Best Season
June through September for best weather. Accessible year-round but very wet in winter.
Permit Required
Wilderness camping permit required from Olympic National Park. Reserve at recreation.gov.
About This Route
The Olympic Coast in Washington State offers a unique wilderness beach backpacking experience. This route traverses the remote Pacific coastline of Olympic National Park, passing sea stacks, tide pools, and temperate rainforest headlands. The route follows the beach for most of its length, with overland trail sections around impassable headlands. Timing with tides is essential—many beach sections are only passable at low tide. Rope-assisted headland crossings add a sense of adventure. Camp on the beach with the sound of the Pacific surf. Permit reservation is required for the most popular beach camps. Check tide tables carefully and carry a current tide chart. Weather is often rainy—waterproof everything. Despite the low elevation, this is a physically demanding route due to soft sand, tidal scrambles, and heavy pack requirements. Wildlife includes bald eagles, sea otters, and gray whales.
Plan This Route
Get a personalized conditions briefing with detailed analysis for your trip dates.
Plan This Route