Hike of the Week: Second Beach

Seastacks and solitude at Second Beach.

Second Beach

Despite the name-this beach is first rate

by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

April 1, 2005


Quick Facts
Location: Olympic National Park coastal strip, La Push
Land Agency: National Park Service
Roundtrip: 1.5 miles
Cumulative Elevation gain: 250 feet
Access: From Forks, WA, drive west 12.5 miles on SR 110 towards La Push. Enter the Quileute Indian Reservation and find the trailhead on the left (south side of road).
Notes: Dogs are prohibited.
Green Trails Map: La Push, WA- No. 163S

First, Second, and Third Beaches are three Olympic Coast charms, just south of La Push. Each one is sandy and broad and hemmed in by dramatic bluffs and headlands. And although they are close to each other, you can't hike from one to the other. Those headlands see to it.
First Beach is the easiest to get to with roadside access. Third Beach requires a 1.2 mile slog down an-oft muddy trail. The way to Second Beach is just right-a hike just long enough to discourage crowds-yet short enough to encourage all who want to see this beautiful beach.
Starting on the Quileute Reservation, the Second Beach Trail is well constructed and well-maintained. Cross a small creek lined with imposing Sitka spruce and then begin a short climb. At the height of the land, enter the national park. Now, begin a steep descent to the beach-the distant surf getting louder with each step taken. You'll catch glimpses of off-shore sea stacks through the surrounding towering spruce.
Emerge on a log-lined shoreline and take a deep breath-the beauty of this place just may leave you short of breath. You can a walk a short distance along the beach to the northwest-do it, for it'll lead you to a natural arch. But if you really feel like stretching your legs, turn left and head south. Over one mile of sandy beach awaits your footprints.
Immediately offshore is a consortium of battered islets and sea stacks known as the Quillayute Needles. Crying Lady Rock is the largest of the batch. These forbidding landmarks are part of the Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge. Inhospitable to man-they're productive breeding grounds to thousands of sea birds; oystercatchers, murres, gulls, petrels, cormorants, and auklets among them.
Continue beachcombing-taste the salty spray coming off the crashing breakers. Eventually you'll come to an impasse-the headland named Teahwhit Head. But before you turn around and retrace your steps-scan the rugged bluff. Teahwhit Head is also graced with a natural arch.
In retrospect you'll agree-two arches, an awesome seascape, scores of pelagic birds, and an inviting sandy shoreline- this beach may be named Second, but it's second to none.