Adventuring Northern Washington: From Seattle to Cape Flattery
If you live in Seattle Greater Area and have ever longed for a fun-filled weekend getaway, then you need to think of the most northerly point of mainland USA – the Cape Flattery, Washington.
This amazing spot is located west of Washington State on the Olympic Peninsula, featuring a stunning coast of Indian Reservation. This place is quite a distance from anywhere, but from Seattle, you can use the coastal road as you enjoy lots of fantastic scenery. From scenic ocean views to ocean beaches, sea birds to rocky cliffs, kelp forest, and family activities.
Cape Flattery is the best place for a weekend getaway from the busy life of Seattle Greater Area.
This place is known to be rainy and amazingly beautiful most of the time. According to the weather and the time of the day you visit, expect to get different views of the same spot. Mostly, the best time to visit this place is during summer. Summer early mornings and evenings frequently get foggy with marine layers of clouds burning off and offering an excellent scene for fun and photographic activities.
I could not wait till summer and planned a road trip in December. It was a cold but yet magical adventure where I had a chance to see the beautiful coastal scenery of the pacific northwest.
Traveling to Cape Flattery, Washington from Seattle
There are four ways in which to go from Seattle to Cape Flattery.
- Take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Since I live in Kirkland, we started our road trip from Edmonds to Kingston.
- Take the bus from Bainbridge Ferry Terminal to Port Angeles Gateway Transit Center;
- Take a bus from Port Angeles Gateway Transit Center to Hwy 101 and Lake Pleasant Road 14;
- Take a flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac Airport.
We decided to explore a few places on our way and to spend the night is known for its stunning beaches Forks, Wa. We piked Pacific Inn Motel in Forks downtown, which is a good Motel. It was immaculate, warm, and of course, free parking included. Noting special but I liked it.
Our first stop was the well-known Hoh Rain Forest on the Olympic Peninsula.
Hall of Mosses, Hoh Rainforest
It was a fantastic experience to explore the Hall of mosses, which is a host of astonishing trees covered with moss. Located in Hoh Rainforest, the Hall of Mosses is filled with a mixture of bigleaf maples of old trees covered in brown and green mosses. Along the main trail is a 200-foot side path heading to a fascinating wood of giant maple trees, covered in hanging moss.
Tree Graveyard (Forks, Washington)
This spot offers a great photography center as the magnificent mountains and beaches produce beautiful sunset rays. The famous tree graveyard is found in Rialto Beach, which is past sea stacks and tide pools of the Quillayute River. You will get a striking view of the “sea stacks,” where the remains of the grand trees, piled haphazardly atop one another line along the shorelines.
Also, you will be amazed to learn that this spot is the home of Jacob Black, a famous fictional character from the well-known Twilight saga. The Sunset was terrific; it was something that for a long time, pictured in my memory.
Ruby Beach (Forks, Washington)
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😍 Ruby Beach, WA #rubybeach #exploreusa #explorewashington #washingtonstateexplored
In addition to sand, Ruby Beach in Washington is a place for beachgoers seeking extreme fun. Its scenic view makes it a photographer’s paradise. All year-round, the area is photogenic, featuring uniquely blue skies and thick moody clouds. The Ruby Beach shoreline also offers scenic views of mountains, shorebirds, rainforests, and a lot of wilderness.
Explore Cape Flattery Trail
Cape Flattery offers you lots of fun and a fantastic trail to hike. You are yet to experience the thrill of the peninsula if you have not seen its magical sunset.
As you drive far west, you will bump into Cape Flattery Trail. This is a short steep area that is less than a mile, and it will take 25 minutes to reach the viewing point. Each step down the trail gives a beautiful view of the coastline. You will eventually arrive at the Cape Flattery point from where you can see the Tatoosh Island offshore with its sea lion colony.
This point is the Northwesterly tip of the lower 48 States where the Pacific Ocean meets with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The view of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the rocky coastline is just amazing.
The Makah Cultural Museum
If you have a chance, stop by Makah Cultural Museum is in Neah Bay just before you reach Cape Flattery. This museum offers a lot of historical information concerning the area as well as the Makah people who are said to have lived there for over 100 years.
Here, you will see artifacts, basketry, a replica longhouse, canoes, and whaling equipment. Lighten up your weekend as you catch up with the history of the Makah First Nation people.
Joyce General Store
Joyce General store is accessible as you drive along Highway 112 from or to Port Angeles. You can refuel here or visit the store for a bit of shopping. If you are having a family weekend getaway, you may have to stay longer here.
You will be amazed to learn that the Joyce General Store, which also serves as the town’s post office, opened in 1911 and is termed as the longest-serving store in Washington State. It still acts as the town’s post office and fuel stop.
