Jefferson Cove─A great place to go forth on the Fourth!
Quick Facts:
Location: Olympic Coast, Olympic National Park
Land Agency: National Park Service
Roundtrip: 5.0 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Green Trails Map: La Push No. 163S
Note: Dogs prohibited; Check tides – can only be done in a low tide; permits required to camp.
Access: From Forks travel south on US 101 for 15 miles turning right onto Oil City Road (turn off is 1.3 miles south of Upper Hoh Road junction). Proceed for 10.6 miles (pavement ends at 5.2 miles) to road end and trailhead.
Contact: Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center, (360) 565-3100; www.nps.gov/olym
You’ve probably hiked Fourth of July Creek near Leavenworth, Fourth of July Pass in the North Cascades, and Independence Lake off of the Mountain Loop Highway. Need a new 4th of July themed destination? How about Jefferson Cove? Our third president penned the Declaration of Independence, so Jefferson Cove sounds likes an apropos place indeed to celebrate our nation’s birthday.
The hike is short, but can be tricky as you will need to time it for a low tide. It’s best to plan on spending the night, so you have plenty of time to explore between outgoing tides. Starting in a forest of big cedars and hemlocks follow the remnants of an old road, leaving Oil City, which was platted with parcels sold to speculators but never developed. Soon come upon the Hoh River. Follow alongside it and after 0.6 mile the trail ends on its rocky banks. Now walk toward the coast under the watchful eye of eagles perched above in riverside snags. Except for an abandoned house across the river, the surroundings are wild and ethereal. Abbey Island floats above the mist south, while Destruction Island hovers above the surf farther out to sea.
Now turn north and immediately round imposing cliffs littered with jumbled rocks at their base—passable only in low tides. After clambering over some big boulders and stopping to admire the symmetry of scattered seas stacks, reach Jefferson Cove and its nice beach. Camps and fresh water are available here. Set up for the night and gaze out over a big ocean. Perhaps nature will provide a few fireworks in the form of a shooting star or two.
If you’re looking for an adventure from Jefferson Cove, consider clambering over Hoh Head via a very muddy, slippery, and unnerving trail aided by cables and sand ladders. Not an easy feat—but the view south over Jefferson Cove is a just reward for your toil.
For more information on Jefferson Cove and the wild Olympic Coast, consult my Backpacking Washington 2nd edition Book. Find details on 80 great destinations throughout the state! . Pick up a copy today.
