RIALTO BEACH
Rialto Beach, La Push, First, Second, and Third beaches. All
names of famous beaches in Washington. All of these beaches
are just minutes away from the Rialto Beach House. Turn left at
the end of the driveway and the national park at Rialto Beach is
less than three miles away.
Rialto Beach is a very accessible beach. Unlike many of
Washington's beaches, this one requires no long walk down
steep bluffs or through miles of forest. There is a large parking
lot and the beach is handicap accessible by a ramp in the
summer months. Slightly less accessible is the Hole-in-the-
Wall: a three mile round trip hike, north from the parking lot.
Pick a low tide or an extreme low for the easiest hiking
conditions. The low tides of the summer months are best for
this hike for climbing through the hole and to cross Ellen’s
Creek. Once through the hole you’ll either want to turn around
or wilderness camp overnight (permit required). The coast
beyond the Hole-in-the-Wall is quite rugged and extremely
difficult to hike, as witnessed and written about by the William
O. Douglas Party.
Another less common hike is to the south of the parking lot.
Again a low or extreme low tide is essential. The hike to James
Island is well worth the extra planning. La Push is the town you
see from Rialto Beach as you hike to James Island.
To reach La Push you’ll have to drive around as it is on the
southern side of the Quillayute River. Home to the Quileute
Tribe, famous for several reasons. It has long been known as a
great surfing area. I have witnessed when the surf is up,
surfers begin to appear as if out of nowhere. They have been
alerted through a secret surfer network. The Quileute Nation
has been investing in their town for some years now. If you're
around on Wednesdays in the summer months stop by the tribal
centre for a drum circle, all are welcome. Also in the town of La
Push is Rivers Edge Restaurant. The food is good and it is a
great place to sit and watch wildlife. I’ve seen sea lions,
eagles, seals, and pelicans, not to mention the traffic of the
fishing boats and Coast Guard, all seen from the windows of
this restaurant.
La Push and First Beach have a more recent claim to fame, from
Stephanie Meyers Twilight novels. First Beach is where Jacob
Black reveals to Bella the truth about Edward. Another Twilight
story is that Quileute natives are werewolves. Actually in their
native tradition they are of the wolf clan. Vampires, were-
wolves, or not, La Push is rich in history, culture and natural
beauty.
Second and Third beaches are great hikes and wilderness camp
sites (permit required). Just outside of La Push you will see the
parking lots and access trails for these beaches. These hikes
are long and there is a steep bluff down to the beach.
by Maureen Wall
http://www.RialtoBeachHouse.com
Rialto Beach, La Push, First, Second, and Third beaches. All
names of famous beaches in Washington. All of these beaches
are just minutes away from the Rialto Beach House. Turn left at
the end of the driveway and the national park at Rialto Beach is
less than three miles away.
Rialto Beach is a very accessible beach. Unlike many of
Washington's beaches, this one requires no long walk down
steep bluffs or through miles of forest. There is a large parking
lot and the beach is handicap accessible by a ramp in the
summer months. Slightly less accessible is the Hole-in-the-
Wall: a three mile round trip hike, north from the parking lot.
Pick a low tide or an extreme low for the easiest hiking
conditions. The low tides of the summer months are best for
this hike for climbing through the hole and to cross Ellen’s
Creek. Once through the hole you’ll either want to turn around
or wilderness camp overnight (permit required). The coast
beyond the Hole-in-the-Wall is quite rugged and extremely
difficult to hike, as witnessed and written about by the William
O. Douglas Party.
Another less common hike is to the south of the parking lot.
Again a low or extreme low tide is essential. The hike to James
Island is well worth the extra planning. La Push is the town you
see from Rialto Beach as you hike to James Island.
To reach La Push you’ll have to drive around as it is on the
southern side of the Quillayute River. Home to the Quileute
Tribe, famous for several reasons. It has long been known as a
great surfing area. I have witnessed when the surf is up,
surfers begin to appear as if out of nowhere. They have been
alerted through a secret surfer network. The Quileute Nation
has been investing in their town for some years now. If you're
around on Wednesdays in the summer months stop by the tribal
centre for a drum circle, all are welcome. Also in the town of La
Push is Rivers Edge Restaurant. The food is good and it is a
great place to sit and watch wildlife. I’ve seen sea lions,
eagles, seals, and pelicans, not to mention the traffic of the
fishing boats and Coast Guard, all seen from the windows of
this restaurant.
La Push and First Beach have a more recent claim to fame, from
Stephanie Meyers Twilight novels. First Beach is where Jacob
Black reveals to Bella the truth about Edward. Another Twilight
story is that Quileute natives are werewolves. Actually in their
native tradition they are of the wolf clan. Vampires, were-
wolves, or not, La Push is rich in history, culture and natural
beauty.
Second and Third beaches are great hikes and wilderness camp
sites (permit required). Just outside of La Push you will see the
parking lots and access trails for these beaches. These hikes
are long and there is a steep bluff down to the beach.
by Maureen Wall
http://www.RialtoBeachHouse.com
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