After a couple of previous incomplete attempts, I finally got out to Neah Bay today – the northwesterly-most point of the Lower 48.

I went to the hand doctor first and got a little bit of a late start and I was really not thinking clearly yet. It was supposed to be a nice day and I considered riding my bike so I did not take a pack, boots, outer layer, or hiking poles with me thinking I would go back home, get the bike and gear, and go for a ride. In Sequim it was raining so I decided to just go ahead and head out to the highway in the car even without my gear. I would still have a great time!

I went out US 101 to state highway 113 to see how it was – I had already been toward Neah Bay on state highway 112 from must west of Port Angeles (car and bike) and wanted to see something different, and I also wanted to see Lake Crescent again and make some stops on some side trips. It was a bit chilly without an outer layer so I will have to go back to check out a waterfall by Lake Crescent that I discovered a trail to, as well as a few other places like the Sol Duc Hot Springs area.

I went to another road near that falls trailhead  and got to get down on the shore of Lake Crescent. Beautiful clear water that turns turquoise when the light hits it just right. It was calm water, the ducks were paddling around, and it was a beautiful day in a beautiful place. Kind of reminded me of the Ozarks in Missour/Arkansas in a way.

 

After a stroll along the shore, I got back into the car and went west (as I have always seemed to do) and went onward toward 113 so I could go north. This is the road I started on from the other side on my motorcycle a few weeks back when it got so windy and I had to turn around. It was a nice drive – not very busy and some nice scenery, such as this waterfall:

I went onwards on 112 to get to my destination. It is such a beautiful drive, and I cannot wait to go back on my motorcycle – it was a great drive so it will be a great ride.

 

I got into the town of Neah Bay. It is on the Makah Reservation. If you go out this way you MUST buy a recreation permit to do things in the area or you will get fined. It is only $10 for a calendar year so it is a great deal, especially for the access you get to beaches and Cape Flaherty… er, Flattery. They are available at most of the stores in town, but I had heard about and decided to stop at Washburn’s – if they do not have it, then you obviously do not need it. A hardware/grocery store with a deli. I got my permit, and a few lunch items and went onward to my destination.

I got the car parked and gathered my food and camera and hit the trail. It is a beautiful trail, with hints of the rain forest in it all around. So peaceful and quiet, add to that a perfect weather day and it was shaping up to be a good trip. Just wish I had my bike… oh well.’ Part of the trail is a raised boardwalk, and the tribe did an outstanding job planning and building the trail. The are log rounds on parts as well.

 

There were some really nice overlook platforms they added and you got views like this:

 

I walked out to the farthest lookout. What a view that was:

 

A sea otter appeared with a baby riding on its belly. Looked a little big to be hitching a ride, but they were staying afloat. It was the end of the U.S.! The island in the middle of the picture has a lighthouse on it. I would love to go check that out.

 

 

This was a great spot for lunch I thought so out came the groceries.

I had lunch, hiked the beautiful trail back to the car, and headed home. I closed up the trailhead and went down to the beach to make sure everyone off the beach for the day. All I saw was this:

 

What a gorgeous ending to a great day!