About the Trip

The 18-mile trek between Oil City to Third Beach is a multi-faceted obstacle course of low tide timing, ropes, ladders, rock hopping, and coastal trekking. Our Olympic Hiking Co. Lead Backcountry Guide will lead our group on a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip aiming for an average of 6 miles of hiking per day. Due to the variety of terrain, obstacles, and overall longer duration of this trip, we rate this backpacking trip as moderate to advanced.

Trip Details

• Route: Oil City to Third Beach | 18 miles

• Difficulty: Moderate to advanced

• Group Size: Up to 10 hikers

• Price: Contact for pricing estimate

Itinerary Description

Day 1: This multi-day trek along the South Olympic Wilderness Coast begins at the remote Oil City Trailhead. On this first day, our group will complete the most tide-critical crossing during the trip at Diamond Rock, a rugged section of rock hopping which requires a 2 foot or lower tide. A 3.5 mile forested overland trail will require us to climb rope ladders, hop over logs, and dive through thick brush as we make our way to our Mosquito Creek campsite (6.1 miles) for some well-earned rest.

Day 2: Having conquered the most crucial tide restriction and most difficult section of this coastal obstacle course, the second day is our reward day! After a lovely 2.2 miles of beach walking, an overland trail takes us through two creek crossings, followed by a final smooth coastline approach to Toleak Point. Our group will set up camp along this stunning forested shoreline with jagged seastacks outlining the coast.

Day 3: Our group will navigate two final tide critical areas before and after Scott’s Creek, before ascending up Scott’s Bluff for the overland trail past Taylor Point and back down to Third Beach. Our legs will be thankful for the sandy beach and well-maintained trek back to the Third Beach Trailhead, where our private one-way shuttle awaits for a 1:00 PM departure back to Port Angeles.

Sample Itinerary

Beginning/Ending Location: Olympic Hiking Co. 115 E Railroad Ave, Suite #110, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Day 1

• 7:00 AM: Breakfast and orientation at Olympic Hiking Co. HQ

• 9:00 AM: Shuttle from Port Angeles to Oil City Trailhead

• 11:00 AM: Arrival at trailhead and begin hike

• Hike: Oil City Trailhead to Mosquito Creek (6.1 miles)

Day 2

• Hike: Mosquito Creek to Toleak Point (4.6 miles)

• Highlights: Stunning seastacks and terrain at Toleak Point

Day 3

• Hike: Toleak Point to Third Beach Trailhead (6.4 miles)

• 12:00 PM: Shuttle from Third Beach Trailhead to Port Angeles

• 2:30 PM: Return to Olympic Hiking Co. HQ

• 3:00 PM: Farewell and trip complete!