2006-05-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

We tried to find the ultimate destination for this trip. I knew how much Jennifer loved the ocean and how much Quentin liked to play in the sand. With that in mind,

we picked Toleak Point. I read that the tide pooling (pools left behind at low tide that are filled with sea creatures) at Toleak Point was incredible and the hike

through the temperature rain forest to get there was amazing and beautiful. We departed Friday for the 5 hour drive north to the coastal section of Olympic

National Park in Washington. We arrived at the trailhead around 2:30 and strapped on our packs. The hike in is 6.2 miles to the spot we wanted to camp. This is the first

trip that Quentin would be hauling his own water, sleeping bag, and all his clothes, his pack weighed around 12lbs. We did not know what to expect and how far he would

make it. The trail consisted of a 1.6 miles hike to the beach, then a short .5 miles along the beach, back up overland and finally back to the beach all the way to

Toleak Point. I had figured Quentin would make it half way on the first day, were we proved wrong. He made it all the way to the campsite without complaining once,

Jennifer and I are so proud. In fact, we named him the tour guide, he broke out in front and lead the almost the entire way there.

The walk through the rain forest to get down to Third Beach was amazing. It reminded me a lot of Costa Rica’s rain forest. It was nice and humid, but just the right

temperature. Once we reached Third Beach, we stopped to soak in the smell and sea mist. It was very nice to relax and watch the surf. After a short stay, we headed

down to the first of many obstacles. At the end of the beach, you must climb ropes and ladders up the cliffs to make it to the overland route. Once this was done, we

got to walk through another rain forest. This stretch is about 1.2 miles long. The overland route by passes Taylor Point, a very rugged and impassable section of the

coast line. We were greeted by spectacular views upon reaching the other side. From there we could see Giants Graveyard, Strawberry Point, and Toleak Point off in the

distance. We knew it would be a journey, 2.9 miles in fact.
We made it to camp around 7:00pm Friday night. We set up the tent, made some dinner,

and hit the bag at 10:30p. This is the first trip I have ever taken that it was still light at 10:00p at night. In fact, the sunset photo was taken at 9:18p.

The following morning we awoke to rain and low tide. We got out of the tent and headed to the tide pools. We found really interesting creatures including crabs,

starfish, hermit crabs, mini rockfish, and bright pink coral.
After breakfast, we explored down the beach to the next set of ladders, once there

we explored through all the fishing boat debris that had washed up on shore. We went back out to Toleak point and watched the Bald Eagles fish and the Harbor Seals play and bask in the sun.
The next morning we again went tide pooling. Sunday morning we made the decision to make it back to Third Beach so the trip out Monday wouldn’t be so rough on Quentin. We packed up and started out around noon. We made it all the way back to Third Beach and saw the hundred’s of people camping. Not wanting to stay at what felt like a KOA camp ground, we headed back to the car and the long drive home.

Pictures Top To Bottom:
Quentin starting out - hiking through rain forest
Our first view of third beach
Jennifer and Quentin walking on 3rd beach
Quentin at the first set of ladders
Quentin with Gaints Graveyard in background
Jennifer and Quentin at 2nd set of ropes
Toleak Point - almost there
Our camp
Sunset from our tent
Seals laying out on the rocks
Me and the "holy seastack"
Quentin looking to get into trouble
The tent with ocean background
Quentin checking out the starfish
Jennifer finding crabs
Stafish piled together on rock
Quenting finding his own small crab
Starfish on Rocks together
Wierd Starfish, would crawl and stick to you and not let go
Strawberry Point on the way out
Jennifer and Quentin walking out
Jennifer coming down the ropes
Jennifer looking out over ocean
Final view back going up and overland
Huge slugs we encountered all over, Quentin's boot in background for scale
Quentin - tour guide -on the overland route
Quentin, finally ascent down to Third Beach

Toleak Point Trip