Grays Harbor County 

• LAKE QUINAULT: Loop Drive
• LAKE QUINAULT: Historic Lake Quinault Lodge
• LAKE QUINAULT: Rain Forest Loop Trail
• LAKE QUINAULT: Quinault Big Cedar
• LAKE QUINAULT: Kestner Homestead and Maple Grove Trail
• LAKE QUINAULT: Big Spruce
• LAKE QUINAULT: Higley Peak
• OCEAN SHORES: Damon Point State Park
• OCEAN SHORES: North Jetty
• OCEAN SHORES: Electric Boat Company
• OCEAN SHORES: Quinault Beach Resort and Casino
• NORTH BEACH: Highway 109 Beaches
• NORTH BEACH: Pacific Beach State Park
• NORTH BEACH: Copalis Rock and Copalis State Airport
• NORTH BEACH: Razor Clam Digging
• NORTH BEACH: Griffiths-Priday Ocean State Park
• NORTH BEACH: Sunset Beach, Moclips, and the Analyde Gap Road
• NORTH BEACH: New Town of Seabrook
• NORTH BEACH: Pacific Beach Resort & Conference Center
• NORTH BEACH: Ocean Crest Resort
• QUINAULT INDIAN NATION: Point Grenville
• QUINAULT INDIAN NATION: Beach at Taholah
• QUINAULT INDIAN NATION: Fishing, Bear Hunting, & Scenic Excursions
• HOQUIAM: Indoor Waterpark at the YMCA of Grays Harbor
• HOQUIAM: Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
• WESTPORT: Grays Harbor Lighthouse
• WESTPORT: Maritime Museum
• WESTPORT: Westhaven State Park
• WESTPORT: Marina
• FUN STUFF: Things Washed up on the Beach
• FUN STUFF: Wildlife
• FUN STUFF: Kids Love the Beach!
• FUN STUFF: Dogs love the Beach!
• FUN STUFF: Sunsets over the Pacific Ocean
• FUN STUFF: Favorite Pictures
• QUESTION: Where are some nice places to stay in Grays Harbor County?
• QUESTION: What butterflies can I find in Grays Harbor County?
• QUESTION: How is erosion affecting Ocean Shores?
• QUESTION: Where can I go surfing on the Washington coast?
• QUESTION: Does state highway 109 really end at Taholah?
• QUESTION: Where can I go hiking in Grays Harbor County?
• Reader Feedback

LAKE QUINAULT: Loop Drive 

Beautiful scenery at every turn through the 31 mile loop drive around lake

The 31 mile circuit around Lake Quinault is formed by highway 101, the North Shore Road, and the South Shore Road. About 1/3rd of the time you are driving on narrow gravel roads. These are well-maintained without a single pothole - at least on the day we visited.

Your first sight of the lake is at its western end from Highway 101. We started out on the North Shore Road for a clockwise circuit of the lake. Our first stop was the Quinault Big Cedar - detailed in the next article below.

A few more miles down the road we stopped at the July Creek picnic area. One picnic table in particular has the finest view of any picnic table I know, with a commanding view of the lake and the hills behind. Directly across the lake you could just make out the historic Lake Quinault Lodge. There was a small beach here that the kids enjoyed.

Just beyond the lake a sign at the roadside says "Maple Grove Trail". This leads to the Kestner Homestead (see 2nd article below).

At least half of the drive around the lake leaves the lake and follows the Quinault River above the lake. We pulled the car over a few times for a fine view of the river and hills beyond it. Eventually, you reach a bridge and cross over to the South Shore Road. You'll pass three waterfalls visible from the road along this route.

There are many possibilities for hiking along the South Shore Road, but it was getting late, so we just one further stop. We spotted a large sand bank in the river and the road widened just at this point, so I found a spot to park and we played down by the river. The boys threw rocks into the river, while I went off looking for a good vantage point for pictures. After that, they noticed a large rock - tall as a house - looming over the river, so they had to climb that and risk falling into the icy waters below. I helped James up after the big boys and we all found room at the top of the rock.

Further attractions along the South Shore Road include: the historic Lake Quinault Lodge with its boat rentals and very fine restaurant, the 3/4 mile Rain Forest Loop Trail, and the short trail to the Big Spruce. Spruce trees grow up to 300 feet tall in this area. You can see some of them washed up on the beach down at Taholah.

Lake Quinault Hiking Trails
Pictures

LAKE QUINAULT: Historic Lake Quinault Lodge 

Historic lodge on fabulous lakeside site, excellent restaurant, gift shop, boat rentals

Built in 1926 after the former 1880's Log Hotel burned down. President Franklin Roosevelt visited in 1937, bequeathing the name "Roosevelt Room" to the restaurant.

The lodge sits on a fabulous site overlooking the lake. A rich green lawn scattered with adirondack chairs slopes down to the shore. Along the lakeshore one finds a boat rental shack (canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats), fire pit, and lakeside trail. The lodge interior features beautiful woodwork, a large brick fireplace, and Indian artwork.

Visit Lake Quinault
Pictures

LAKE QUINAULT: Rain Forest Loop Trail 

Easy 1/2 mile rain forest hike

Easy 1/2 mile hike (we brought little kids and Grandma) tours the beautiful, moss-laden forest. The trail passes by a small canyon with a small stream.

Rain Forest Loop Trail Guide

LAKE QUINAULT: Quinault Big Cedar 

1/2 mile hike to this ancient tree along the North Shore Road of Lake Quinault

"Big" is an understatement. One might say "ancient". The tree is barely alive - a few green branches can be spotted at the top. The outside of the tree is grossly gnarled and has lost all of its bark - nothing like a young cedar with the familiar strips of straight, red bark. The tree is entirely hollow inside. Four to five people can stand inside of it at once. Looking up within the tree you see a patch of sky, so the hollowness extends clear to the top. It reminded me of coming across a forgotten ruin in the countryside of Europe.

Lake Quinault Hiking Trails

LAKE QUINAULT: Kestner Homestead and Maple Grove Trail 

Beautiful and easy trail leads to 100 year old farm

Beyond the eastern end of Lake Quinault along the North Shore Road a sign reads, "Maple Grove Trail". A ranger station is also located here. The hike was most enjoyable: flat, short (1.5 miles), and with varied scenery. The trail starts out by following a dry stream bed through the forest. The trees are mostly maples here, but this being the rain forest, everything was draped in moss. The kids found a way down to the stream bed at one point, and played among the rocks. Further on, you reach a bridge over the dry stream - some very old, very large maples are to be seen here. And then you come out of the forest to open farmland and the homestead.

The homestead was established around 1900 and the park service has recently begun to restore it. The grassy path, old wooden fences lining the fields, and the dilapidated farm buildings in the distance gave us all a sense of having stepped back into time by 100 years. Even the kids commented on it. The setting is lovely with forested, high hills in the distance and a peak of snowcapped mountains here and there. We found an old delivery truck, rusting away in place. The driver's cabin was entirely filled with vines. You could just make out some writing on the side: "local and long-distance" and a phone number. Beyond the old truck we settled into a meadow of tall grass for a rest.

After the homestead, the trail returns to the forest: maples and moss again, but even more lovely than before. The next noteworthy sight was a crystal clear pond, where a certain leafy green plant grew both below and above the pond surface. It was difficult to spot where the surface was - a kind of strange optical effect.

Lake Quinault Hiking Trails

LAKE QUINAULT: Big Spruce 

1,000 year old spruce tree reaches 191 feet tall

The world's largest Sitka Spruce tree is found on the grounds of the Rain Forest Resort Village near the south shore of Lake Quinault. A parking lot is provided on the South Shore Road and a short walk brings you to the massive tree. Ten of us climbed up onto the trees roots for a family picture.

Spruce Tree on YouTube

Pictures

Rain Forest Resort Village

LAKE QUINAULT: Higley Peak 

Mountain Climbing for Lazy People! By Car!

The road to Higley Peak at 3,300 feet above Lake Quinault gives excellent views of the lake, the distant snow-capped Olympic Mountain peaks, and the nearby dark, forested valleys. A 10 mile dirt road takes you most of the way to the top, followed by 1/2 mile, 500 foot climb up the peak.

We heard elk calling in the distance from one remote valley - that was really neat.

We visited in late June and were stopped by snow. We tried again in August and located the trail. See my blog for exact directions (which I don't find anywhere else on the Internet):
Directions

June Pictures

August Pictures

Quinault Area Hikes

OCEAN SHORES: Damon Point State Park 

Sandy beach and shifting landscape at the bottom of Ocean Shores

We saw the cutest baby seal on our visit to this park.

I remembered this park from childhood as the place to see a shipwreck (the SS Catala, grounded in 1965). Apparently, that ship is mostly buried now. A road leading into the park is now closed, due to most of the road having been washed away. This is an unstable and ever-changing landscape perched on a sand spit.

The views here are magnificent on a clear day. To the north you can see the Olympic Mountains. To the south across the harbor mouth is Westport. To the east all of Grays Harbor is laid out before you.

Damon Point State Park
Pictures

OCEAN SHORES: North Jetty 

Watch big ocean waves, spot seals, climb the rocks, play on the beach

Built between 1908 and 1916 to secure the northern boundary of the Grays Harbor entrance and hold in the sand of the Ocean Shores peninsula. It lies at the southern tip of Ocean Shores. Here you can climb on the rocks and watch the big waves roll in off the ocean. Behind the jetty is a shallow, safe beach for kids to play. A few modest sand dunes give a little elevation for a nice view of the surroundings.

History of shoreline changes and erosion

OCEAN SHORES: Electric Boat Company 

My kids had a blast in these all-weather, electric boats!

The Ocean Shores Electric Boat Company rents modern, comfortable, electric-powered boats for cruising the network of canals and lakes running the length of the Ocean Shores peninsula. The boats seat up to 10 and include a CD player, radio, and picnic table. Comfortable in any weather with a canopy against the sun and clear plastic panels that can be closed to keep out the wind. Wildlife abounds: deer, raccoons, great blue heron, seagulls, and ducks.

Ocean Shores Electric Boat Company
Ocean Shores Parks Department

OCEAN SHORES: Quinault Beach Resort and Casino 

Great hotel, busy casino, location right on the beach

We rented a double queen bed suite with fireplace and ocean view in May 2007. The hotel was very new and clean. The swimming pool was large and bright with floor to ceiling windows letting in lots of light. The exercise room was well-equipped.

I'm not a gambler and didn't care for the smell of cigarette smoke (as an Indian casino, they are not subject to the anti-smoking ban), but I tried the slot machines for a couple hours and dutifully lost $40.

I've tried the main restaurant, Emily's, twice. It was fine for what it is: standard American food. Back at home in the Seattle area, we always eat out at Asian restaurants. The resort has a sushi bar and snack bar off the casino, but I didn't try those.

The hotel has built a boardwalk out to the beach. This is the wide, sandy beach that stretches for 30 miles from the tip of Ocean Shores up to Point Grenville. You can find driftwood, seawood, shells, crabs, and shorebirds on the beach. At night, the hotel is lit up from the beach side by strong lights - a nice effect. We saw some deer walk under our room in the twilight.

The Pacific Ocean sunsets are awesome - not to be missed. Make sure you end your day at the beach.

Quinault Beach Resort
Pictures

NORTH BEACH: Highway 109 Beaches 

Miles of wide, sandy beaches backed by forested cliffs

Ocean Shores is the southern end of an unbroken 30 mile stretch of wide, sandy beach, ending at Point Grenville in the north on the Quinault Indian reservation. There are lots of places to stop and enjoy the beach along this coastline.

You can drive on the beach throughout much of this area, which makes accessible some sights that would otherwise require a very long walk (such as Copalis Rock). 100 years ago there were no roads in the area - the beach was the road. There is also a beach airport with planes actually landing on the sand (between the Copalis River and Copalis Rock).

The beach gets prettier from the town of Copalis north, where a high, forested bluff rises up, affording views from the bluff and something interesting to look at from the beach.

The very most beautiful beaches are on the Quinault reservation. These beaches are private and require the purchase of a beach day pass ($15 per family). The Quinaults don't promote tourism at all, so these beaches are little known and seldom visited (except by the Quinaults).

Washington Coast Chamber of Commerce
Town of Seabrook
Town of Pacific Beach
Museum of the North Beach in Moclips
Quinault Indian Nation

NORTH BEACH: Pacific Beach State Park 

Beautiful, wide, sandy beach. Nearby cliffs, forest, and creek add interest

Pacific Beach State Park lies between the town of Pacific Beach, Washington and a wide, sandy ocean beach. The campground has an unobstructed view of the ocean, and, consequently, lots of wind. One often sees a crowd of RVs flying kites and banners from their campsites. Nearby is a parking lot for non-campers and a couple picnic tables. Across a few small sand dunes one reaches the beach. Typically, a quarter mile of sand stretches before the beach visitor, varying with the tide. Beachcombers can find clam shells, sand dollar shells, seaweed, crabs, and driftwood. A resident flock of seagulls varies between 50 and 100 members. Sandpipers and other seabirds can sometimes by observed.

To the south, Joe Creek cuts through the beach. A dozen standing logs of an old pier run alongside or in the creek. One can walk a ways up the estuary of the creek, behind the campground and among some large vacation homes overlooking the area. In summer the creeks runs waist deep.

To the north of the campground a high, crumbling bluff rises up, partly covered in vegetation and topped by the naval resort for retired military personnel. This was historically a naval base protecting the area during WWII. Just beyond the base, the Analyde Gap Road reaches down to the beach from the cliff above.

Cars are allowed to drive from the Analyde Gap beach entrance north to Moclips at any time or south through the park in the off-season. Cars should stay on the hard-packed sand at the top of the beach, avoiding damage to clam beds. Other activities allowed on this beach that are not permitted on the Olympic National Park beaches to the north include: dogs may roam freely off-leash, fires may be built 150 feet away from the dunes, and fireworks may be set off.

Pacific Beach State Park
Pictures

NORTH BEACH: Copalis Rock and Copalis State Airport 

Isolated seastack rock nearby to the only beach airport in the lower 48 states!

Copalis Rock is an isolated seastack rock. Enter the beach at Roosevelt Beach Road four miles south of Pacific Beach. The rock is three miles south on the beach, which you may drive or walk. There's one significant stream to cross, issuing out of the Iron Springs Resort. If the water flow is well under half the height of your tires, go ahead and cross. The rock is another one mile further south. You will see a flock of seagulls flying about the rock. Several smaller rocks are strewn about the beach that kids can climb on.

Another mile south is the airport - the only beach airport in the lower 48 states. A lonely windsock, two signs, and a guestbook comprise the entire facilities. Up to 75 planes will land here on a busy summer day.

Mention on RoadsideAmerica.com
Copalis State Airport

NORTH BEACH: Razor Clam Digging 

The most sought-after shellfish

One of the most popular shellfish harvests, due to the razor clams size (up to six inches) and meatiness. Up to 1,000 people per square mile have been known to turn out for a harvest. The harvest is heavily regulated: a license is required, each person is limited to 15 clams, and the department of fish and wildlife only opens the harvest on a small number of dates per year.

(Pictured here: Indian harvester in the sunset.)

All About Razor Clams: How to Dig, Clean, Cook + Regulations
Season Update

NORTH BEACH: Griffiths-Priday Ocean State Park 

Beautiful beach with river running through it

This beach is accessed from the town of Copalis Beach. We visited this beach in August and found that we had it to ourselves. I've read elsewhere that this beach is nearly always deserted. You have to wade through the Copalis River to reach the beach - just calf deep in August.

Across the mouth of the Copalis River you can reach the area of the Copalis State (Beach) Airport and Copalis Rock.

Griffiths-Priday Ocean State Park
Pictures

NORTH BEACH: Sunset Beach, Moclips, and the Analyde Gap Road 

Continuation of the area beaches in front of Moclips

The Analyde Gap Road at the north end of Pacific Beach gives access to vehicles right onto the beach to park or drive. Driving is allowed south from this point in the off-season (October to April) or north toward Moclips any time.

A cluster of vacation rental houses off of Sunset Street overlook Sunset Beach. Right in this area, somebody has built some clever beach art out of driftwood: a pirate ship, a bench, and poles.

The beach continues unbroken north through Moclips to the border of the Quinault Indian Nation. A tribal beach pass is required to explore the Quinault beaches. From Moclips you can see the seastack rocks of Point Grenville, where the sandy beaches end and the wild, rocky shoreline of the Washington north coast takes over.

Sunset Beach Pictures
Moclips History

NORTH BEACH: New Town of Seabrook 

Purpose-built, destination beach town

Starting in 2004, Seabrook was developed from bare ground to provide a close-knit vacation beach community. The houses are beautifully designed, resembling New England cottages. Many of them are clustered around village greens. The community is connected by walking paths of crushed oyster shells. The forest has been thinned to open up a view of the ocean and a path cut through, anchored by a gazebo, connects the town to the beach.

A high-end cafe was recently opened. Plans call for a hotel with swimming pool. Hundreds of houses more will be added once the area sewage system is expanded.

Visitors to the town may rent a cottage, admire the architecture on a drive or stroll, and participate in community events.

People seem to be buying into the community idea and paying a premium price for it. As I write this, a 2 bedroom, Seabrook cottage without a view sells for a little more than a brand-new, 3 bedroom house in Pacific Beach with an excellent ocean view.

Seabrook
Pictures

NORTH BEACH: Pacific Beach Resort & Conference Center 

Resort for retired military personnel

The Pacific Beach Resort on the site of the old naval base provides affordable beach accomodations to retired military personnel. Part of the facilities are open to the public: the Windjammer restaurant (best in town), the bowling alley, and the gift shop. Its cottages and whalewatching tower sport the best, unobstructed, high-bluff ocean views in town.

Pacific Beach Resort

NORTH BEACH: Ocean Crest Resort 

Fine hotel, restaurant, and recreation center

The Ocean Crest Resort in Moclips sits on a great, cliff-top location. The restaurant is considered to be the finest dining along this coast. The recreation center is open to all visitors. A package of five visits costs $30. The recreation center has a well-equipped exercise room and a large swimming pool and hot tub in a beautiful, high-ceilinged, cedar building.

Ocean Crest Resort

QUINAULT INDIAN NATION: Point Grenville 

The most beautiful place you never heard of!

Point Grenville lies at the southern end of the Quinault Indian Nation reservation. A collection of seastack rocks surround the point, including one far out to sea with an arch. The two largest rocks near the point are topped with vegetation, where flocks of birds wheel around and rest. Along the 2 1/2 mile walk from the entrance road to the point (or the route may be driven by keeping to the top of the beach away from the clam beds) one encounters two 50 foot high rocks high up on the beach you may climb, piles of driftwood, and rocks encrusted with barnacles and mussels.

The large hill marking the point is volcanic - the only volcanic rock nearby along the coast. This hill tapers down to a six foot wall before rising again up to the 100 foot high cliffs on the mainland. An easy climb over this wall brings one to a secret beach. Back over the wall is soft sand. Here one comes out onto volcanic gravel. The rocks and cliffs here form an amphitheater around a small bay. All around are offshore rocks up to 30 feet high channeling and throwing up the waves. Straight ahead is a better view of the offshore rock with the arch. The rock marking the northern boundary of this beach also has an arch. The surrounding rocks magnify every sound of the waves. If you arrive near sunset, the light also heightens the experience.

A beach pass is required to visit the beaches of the Quinault Nation. A daily pass is $15 per family or $5 per person. Passes are obtainable on weekdays at the tribal administration complex (building B) in Taholah at the end of highway 109 (on the right after passing the church to the left at the entrance to the town) or on weekends at the police station.

Quinault Indian Nation Things To Do

QUINAULT INDIAN NATION: Beach at Taholah 

Great beach at the mouth of the Quinault river

The Town of Taholah has a marvellous beach. You can park right by the river and beach entrance just beyond the mercantile (groceries and cafe).

It reminded me a bit of Ruby Beach north of Kalaloch. This is a rocky beach varying from large flat stones down to pea gravel. The Quinault River flows into the ocean on this beach. Across the river to the north you see two large rocks forming Cape Elizabeth. To the south you'll see massive piles of driftwood. These would have been spruce trees that floated down the river. Spruce trees grow up to 300 feet tall in this area. Behind the beach is a beautiful, windswept forest. Not so beautiful is the big pipe for treated sewage that runs out into the ocean. I thought it was some kind of fallen tree until we drew closer to it. In the distance to the south you can see the north end of Point Grenville. It appears you can walk several miles towards the point.

A beach pass is required to visit the beaches of the Quinault Nation. A daily pass is $15 per family or $5 per person. Passes are obtainable on weekdays at the tribal administration complex (building B) in Taholah at the end of highway 109 (on the right after passing the church to the left at the entrance to the town) or on weekends at the police station.

Quinault Indian Nation Things To Do

QUINAULT INDIAN NATION: Fishing, Bear Hunting, & Scenic Excursions 

Indian guides available for exploring the Quinault reservation

HOQUIAM: Indoor Waterpark at the YMCA of Grays Harbor 

Rainy day idea: fun indoor waterpark on the way to and back from the beaches

Indoor waterpark and exercise facility. Terrific rainy day activity. Waterpark features a wave pool, waterslide, big hot tub, water jet river run, kiddie pool, and Olympic pool for lap swimming. Check the pool schedule for the hours that the waterslide is open. Remainder of facility has well-equipped free weight and machine exercise room, several racquetball courts, childcare room, and gym with basketball courts.

YMCA of Grays Harbor

HOQUIAM: Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge 

Great spot for birdwatching / Beautiful Sandpiper Trail boardwalk

We visited this wildlife refuge near Hoquiam, WA during the Shorebird Festival. Thousands of birds migrating between Mexico and Alaska stop by Grays Harbor to feed on its extensive mudflats. A mile long boardwalk - the Sandpiper Trail - brings you through a pretty forest and out to a wonderful view of the harbor, distant forested bluff, and the shorebirds. The peak viewing period is high tide during late April and early May. The trail is still a pleasant walk at other times of year. An organized Shorebird Festival brings out a crowd of birdwatchers during the first weekend of May. See:

Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
Shorebird Festival

WESTPORT: Grays Harbor Lighthouse 

Tallest lighthouse on the Washington coast

Completed in 1898, the Grays Harbor Lighthouse at Westport stands 107 feet tall. Tours are available on summer weekends until 4:00pm. 135 steps bring you to the top, where a docent explains all about the history and operation of the lighthouse. Westport Light State Park adjoins the lighthouse.

History
Museum and Historical Society
Westport Light State Park
Pictures

WESTPORT: Maritime Museum 

Besides its local historical displays, this museum has three great attractions: the building itself - the former coastguard station - is very beautiful, two whale skeletons are displayed outside, and a separate building is devoted to the display of the Fresnel lens from the Destruction Island lighthouse. It's an awesome sight when they turn the lens on and it rotates and shines its light.

Westport Maritime Museum
Pictures

WESTPORT: Westhaven State Park 

Crumbling cliffs of sand above a wide sandy beach, the South Jetty, hidden crescent beach

We happened upon this park during some kind of surfer event. I counted about 50 surfers out in the frigid water. However, the exercise seemed pointless: the waves were fairly calm and I saw very few surfers manage to make it up on their boards.

No matter. My little boy was fascinated by the crumbling sand cliff lining the beach, the opportunity to throw rocks off the cliff, the many dogs roaming the beach (brought by the surfers), the big rocks of the South Jetty (twin of Ocean Shores' North Jetty), and a perfect crescent beach facing into the harbor with very steep sand hill leading down to it. My little boy watched some older kids playing on this hill, so of course he had to plunge into the sand too. At length, I had to climb down there to retrieve him.

Westport Light and Westhaven State Parks
Pictures

WESTPORT: Marina 

Whalewatching, Ocean Fishing, & Seabird Watching Excursions

There's a fun watchtower overlooking the town of Wesport, the marina, and Grays Harbor.
Pictures

In March through May, Pacific Grey whales migrate towards the Arctic. The mothers and babies pass by in May. You can catch a whalewatching boat out of Westport.
Westport Whalewatching

Charter companies for whalewatching and fishing:
Advantage Charters
Angler Charters
Ocean Charters
Deep Sea Charters
Ultimate Fishing Charters

35 miles due west of the Grays Harbor entrance, the Grays Harbor submarine canyon supports a rich community of marine life. Westport Seabirds provides tours to the area to see ocean-going seabirds: albatross, skuas, petrels, etc.
Westport Seabirds

FUN STUFF: Things Washed up on the Beach 

The most impressive thing I found washed up on the beach recently was an eagle and a seagull just starting to eat a dead seal. It was at the height of a storm with 60mph winds, which explains why there wasn't a whole crowd of seagulls. I approached the group for a closer view, and it was the eagle who flew off first, while the seagull stared me down and stuck by his meal.

Pictures

FUN STUFF: Wildlife 

In the past year we have seen lots of animals in the county: deer, eagles, sandpipers and other shorebirds, the cutest baby seal, ducks, seagulls, pelicans, great blue heron, and butterflies.

Pictures

FUN STUFF: Kids Love the Beach! 

A beach makes the best playground for digging, collecting shells and rocks, getting dirty, running from the waves, making sandcastles, flying kites, chasing seagulls, and looking under rocks and logs for icky things.

Send me pictures of your kids at the beach. I'll add them to the album.

Pictures

FUN STUFF: Dogs love the Beach! 

I used to have a dog, Bubbles. We kept Bubbles outside and I felt guilty for not playing with her enough. When we moved, my Mother made my Dad take Bubbles to the pound. I didn't really care, but I cried really hard to make my Mother feel bad. Years later she told me that it was the hardest thing she ever did.

I should tell you about my cats. Boots was mostly black with a white chest and white feet. One day a friend and I spotted Boots under the car on a hot day, enjoying the shade. We spooked Boots and ran all around the car, not letting him get out. Eventually, he escaped us and ran two houses down the street and jumped up on the back wheel of a big truck. We followed him, and just then the owner of the truck walked out of his house - he was going to drive away. We told him that my cat was on his back wheel, so he said he would wait until we got him out. So we went and squatted by the back wheel, saying "Here Boots, come on Boots", trying to coax him out. Boots would have nothing to do with us. After about two minutes of this...KAWUMP! The truck driver had backed up and Boots went under the wheel! The driver told us that he thought we were going to reach in and get the cat out, but I was afraid he would scratch me. Boots was not killed right away. I started bawling. I picked Boots up, ran half way home, dropped him, picked him up again, ran to our front porch, dropped him in front of my parents, and my Dad took Boots to the vet. That evening my Mother explained to me tenderly about how Boots had to be put to sleep.

A week later, my Grandmother gave me an identical cat! (I'm sure my mother was seething.) This was Boots II. Boots II mainly lived up on top of our wood pile to keep away from Bubbles, or else she wandered around the neighborhood. I tried very hard to introduce Bubbles and Boots II to each other and make them friends, but it didn't work. I only put out one water dish down at ground level, figuring that Bubbles and Boots II could share. I guess they didn't because Boots II got sick and died. The vet said it was liver dehydration.

Send me pictures of your dog on the beach, and I'll add it to the album. Dogs are allowed on Grays Harbor beaches - unlike the national park beaches to the north.

Pictures

FUN STUFF: Sunsets over the Pacific Ocean 

Sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are not to be missed. Whatever you plan to do on a given day, make sure you end the day back at the beach.

Pictures

FUN STUFF: Favorite Pictures 

I've collected all my favorite and most beautiful pictures here: mainly from Lake Quinault, the Quinault Indian Nation beaches, and the North Beach area.

Enjoy!

Pictures

QUESTION: Where are some nice places to stay in Grays Harbor County? 

Probably the top three nicest hotels in the county would be:
#1 - Lake Quinault Lodge: beautiful historic building, great lakeside location, excellent restaurant
Lake Quinault Lodge

#2 - Ocean Crest Resort, Moclips: Perched on bluff above beach, excellent restaurant, beautiful swimming pool and exercise facility
Ocean Crest Resort

#3 - Quinault Beach Resort, Ocean Shores: New facility built in 2005, busy Indian casino onsite, nice swimming pool and exercise room, beachfront location
Quinault Beach Resort and Casino

There are several vacation rental houses along the coast that would give you more space than a hotel room, more privacy, and better value if split among 2 or 3 families. Here's a sample:

Bob's Pacific Beach House - Great ocean view, short walk to beach, built in 2006, 3 king beds, pets allowed
BobsPacificBeachHouse.com

Ocean Shores Beach House Rental - Spacious 3 storey house with huge wraparound deck and ocean view. Short walk to beach. Sleeps up to 11.
Ocean Shores Beach House Rental

Seashore Dreams - Unobstructed ocean view, street below house leads directly to the beach, duplex with 2 units - one pet friendly, built in 2007
MoclipsVacation.com

Here are some other websites to look for vacation rentals:
NorthBeachVacation.com
VRBO.com
Craigslist.org
RicksBeachHouses.com
SeabrookCottageRentals.com
VacationHouseDestinations.com

QUESTION: What butterflies can I find in Grays Harbor County? 

Here's got to be the definitive resource for butterflies and moths throughout the country - with pictures, common and scientific names, county-by-county:
Butterflies and Moths of North America (Grays Harbor County, WA)

I saw this pretty butterfly pictured here on the north shore of Lake Quinault near a stream.

QUESTION: How is erosion affecting Ocean Shores? 

The Washington State Department of Ecology has put together an excellent website describing the effects of erosion on the south Washington coast. In general, beaches in the area are eroding due to dam-building on the Columbia River, which has reduced sediment flow.

SW Washington Coastal Erosion Study

Washington's Outer Coast

QUESTION: Where can I go surfing on the Washington coast? 

I stumbled across Westhaven State Park in Westport on a day when 50+ surfers were in the water. It turns out that Westport is the prime location in the state for surfing.
Riding the waves at Westport, Washington's own Surf City

QUESTION: Does state highway 109 really end at Taholah? 

Google Maps has this one wrong. Google makes it appear that you can drive straight through the Quinault Indian reservation from Pacific Beach to Kalaloch, but this is not so. You must skirt around the reservation via Lake Quinault to link the two beach areas. The road north of Taholah is not well-maintained and gives out entirely - turning into a trail - two miles short of Elephant Rock. You can explore this northern road with a tribal beach pass. The tribe's brochure explains that the many black bears and bobcats active in the area "usually" run away. However, I've heard recently that the Cape Elizabeth area is closed and a bridge further north has given out. It would be best to learn about current conditions and be accompanied by a tribal guide.
Correct Pacific Beach to Kalaloch Route

Fred Koontz - Quinault Indian Guide

QUESTION: Where can I go hiking in Grays Harbor County? 

AccessibleTrails.com gives an excellent list of wheelchair-friendly, and consequently; family-with-young-kids-friendly, trails in the county. My favorite out of this list is the Sandpiper Trail at the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. A nice boardwalk trail takes you through a pretty deciduous forest, and then you come out to a marvellous view of the harbor.
Accessible Trails in the South Olympic Peninsula Area

Lake Quinault has many amazing hikes of two miles or less: the Big Cedar, the Big Spruce, Kestner Homestead and Maple Grove, Rain Forest Loop, Lakeshore Trail, and Fletcher Canyon.
Lake Quinault Hiking Trails

The Prairie Creek Road up to Higley Peak (and beyond) gives beautiful views of the snow-capped Olympic peaks, verdant green valleys below you, and the eastern end of Lake Quinault with the river flowing into it. The half mile uphill trail to the peak starts at the 9.5 mile mark up the road. The best view of the lake is found at the 12.5 mile mark. We visited in late June and were stopped by snow - in August the road was clear.
Climb to Higley Peak

And of course there are miles of sandy beaches you can walk along. Some of my favorite walks have been to Point Grenville, from Iron Springs to Copalis Rock and Copalis State Airport, the deserted Griffiths-Priday Ocean Park at Copalis Beach, and the three mile loop from my house in Pacific Beach down to the state park, along the beach, and back up the Analyde Gap Road.
Copalis State Airport mentioned on RoadsideAmerica.com

Reader Feedback 

What interesting sites do you know in Grays Harbor County? Tell me and I'll add them to the list!

rose08 Beautiful scene. I would love to have a tourism, moreover, I love hiking. Thanks for sharing the list of wheelchair-friendly, and consequently, family-with-young-kids-friendly trails in the county. I'm here sharing you an informative site about wheelchair rentals, which provides wheelchair rentals services and many other wheelchair choices. Wish everybody enjoy the tourism. Posted August 06, 2008

sweetshirls

Best hiking info I've gotten in the 90 minutes I've been searching online. Thanks for your help.

Posted August 06, 2008

DrRichard Great lens. I've learnt something about Grays Harbor County! Posted June 05, 2008

Mousesmom I want to visit! My daughter and her family are going to Seattle in August - think they should have gone here instead! thanks for the information. I've filed it away. Posted June 05, 2008

Donna Jones

Love the lens. It is very imformative.
Donna

Posted June 05, 2008