Ozette Triangle Backpack Loop

This is one of the most rewarding overnight loops in the Pacific Northwest, and the elevation gain is practically a rounding error — the challenge here is terrain, not climbing. You'll start at the Ozette Ranger Station and hike through dense coastal forest on boardwalks that range from solid to suspiciously slippery before emerging onto wild, wave-battered beaches. The route connects Sand Point and Cape Alava (the westernmost point in the contiguous US, if you're collecting superlatives) via rugged shoreline walking over tide pools, sea stacks, and slick boulders. Near Cape Alava, centuries-old Makah petroglyphs are carved into the rocks — easy to miss if you're not looking. Expect sea otters, bald eagles, and the kind of dramatic fog-and-surf scenery that makes you understand why people move to the Olympic Peninsula. This trail is built for backpackers who want wilderness coast without a punishing approach.