Featured Hike: Lake Ozette to Cape Alava
Details: day hike 3.3 miles one-way; easy and popular, year-round, permits required for overnight only
Map: Green Trails Map Ozette #1305
More info: Washington Trails Association Trail Guide for Cape Alava
This beautiful hike starts at the Lake Ozette trailhead in the Olympic National Park. The hike is essentially level through coastal rain forest with much of the trail cedar boardwalk over perenial marsh and wet meadows. The village site sits on Makah Reservation land, please respect the signs with some restriction on where you can go. Two historic homesteads sit north of the trail before reaching the beach but will require finding additional directions on how to reach them. A 9 mile loop is a favorite hike, including 3 miles walking the beach to Sandpoint then returning to Ozette on a the similar boardwalked Sandpoint trail. The petroglyphs at Wedding Rock sit south of Cape Alava about one third of the way to Sandpoint.
Similar scenery can be found by hiking the Shi Shi Beach trail from Neah Bay. Permits are required for Shi Shi Beach and can be obtained at the Makah Museum.
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Book 
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History Hiker rates this book: 
Story: 3 History: 3 Writing: 3 Feel for place: 4 (Cape Alava) John Pappas' book is a fictional story set in the Makah village at Cape Alava in the early 1800's. Although the story line is not unique the careful research and presentation for culture and life in the Makah Village is excellent. It really is a book to be read prior to going to or while lounging at a wilderness beach between La Push and Neah Bay. |
Available for Purchase at: |
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Museum 
| Yes, you will drive 42 twisty, turny, and slow miles (round trip) to Neah Bay to see the Makah Museum but it is well worth the trip. It is best to go here after you hike to Cape Alava. You will be treated to the artifacts from the Makah village at Cape Alava plus some interesting information on how they lived. There is a very interesting display where you essentially stand on the porch of one of their houses and look out to the ocean. After being there, you will have a great perspective. This museum is a must see! |
Link to more information on the Makah Museum at Neah Bay:
Makah Museum at Neah Bay |
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