Toleak Point to the Hoh River

Wild forest and wild ocean, woods animals and sea birds, tidal pools and a series of wave-carved stacks called the Graveyard of the Giants, the constant thunder of surf, and always the vast Pacific, where mariners of old heard the dragons that lurk in ambush at the edge of the world. This south section of the Olympic National Park wilderness ocean strip is shorter but more complicated than the northern one, requiring detours inland to cross headlands and creeks and demanding even closer attention to the tide chart. A one-way hike as described here is the most desirable—though arranging transportation back to the starting point is complicated. Also recommended is a 13-mile round trip to Ira’s favorite spot, Toleak Point, where sandy beaches are wide and sea stacks picturesque.