Angel's Rest Trail, OR

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has some spectacular views and trails. Angel's Rest Trail is one of those views and trails. This trail is 4.4 miles out and back and is right off of The Columbia Gorge Historic Scenic Highway west of Multnomah Falls.  It is a 1,400 foot climb from the parking lot to Angel's Rest. The view from the top is well worth the climb on a clear day. Be sure to pack water and lunch to enjoy with your view from the top.

View looking west from Angle's Rest

This is also the perfect time to catch the early spring time flowers along the trail. In full bloom are Menzies' Larkspur (Delphinium menziesii), Chocolate Lilies (Fritillaria lanceolata), Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) and many others. For wildflower buffs this is just the beginning of the season in the Columbia Gorge.

 Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria lanceolata)

 Menzies' Larkspur (Delphinium menziesii) line the trail

Ozette Triangle Trail, WA

The Ozette Triangle Trail is a gorgeous 9 mile loop and part of the Olympic National Park north of Forks, WA. The trail splits at the parking lot and is 3 miles to Cape Alava and 3 miles to Sand Point, camping is allowed at both locations. There is 3 miles of beach connecting Cape Alava and Sand Point creating the 9 mile triangle.

The 3 mile beach portion of the trail is a very unique section of Pacific Ocean beach with historic and sacred ties to the Makah Tribe. About 1.5 miles the down the beach are petroglyphs carved into Wedding Rock by the Ozette People between 300 and 500 years ago. The site of the Ozette Village is about 14 miles south of Neah Bay on the Pacific Ocean side of the Olympia Peninsula.

This trail was teaming with wildlife. There was everything from deer to coyotes to birds. Best of all the native Banana Slug!

The only campfires allowed are driftwood fires at the Cape Alava campground. All overnight camping requires a permit of $5 plus $2 for each person and $15 a vehicle. Overnight hikers are required to keep all food and garbage in bear cans, which are available at the Port Angeles and Quinalt Ranger Stations.

We camped at Cape Alava after hiking 3 miles in the first day. This gave us plenty of time to hike the 3 mile beach portion at a low tide on the second day and the last 3 miles from Sandy Point back to the parking lot. The rain and moisture on the first night made it impossible to start a campfire, despite all of Cody and Matt's efforts. However the following day was sunny and beautiful. The Cape Alava Campground was a lush green meadow where one might expect a gnome to appear running across it. This hike is in my top 10 favorite hikes.

Cape Flattery, WA

Cape Flattery is the most northwestern point in the lower United States. Recently renovated by the Makah Tribe, it is a one mile hike to a beautiful view point of Tatoosh Island. Parking permits are $10 a car and can be purchased at the local grocery store/gas station. Dogs are allowed on this trail.

 This view point is an excellent spot to look for Puffins. Our groups was able to spot two Puffins and a loud group of Sea lions.

 Tatoosh Island

South of the view point

Playa Carricitos, Sayulita

Today we went to Playa Carricitos. We followed a dirt road north out of Sayulita through the cemetery and turned left up a dirt road before Playa de Los Muertos and followed hand painted signs to Playa Carricitos.  This beach usually has fairly mellow waves for body surfing, but today was a bit rough due to a small storm the day before. We went with a couple from our hotel, Shyla and Max, and met a very friendly beach dog. The beach dog we named Coco made herself at home on our beach towels and ran off with Shyla's shoe. Luckily Cody convinced Coco to trade the shoe for a stick. The waves were very fun to play in and Cody turned a nice reddish pink color. This beach had very little traffic and we had it all to ourselves.

Playa Carricitos

Beach dog "Coco"

Dirt road to Playa Carricitos

Playa de Los Muertos, Sayulita

Today we visited Playa de Los Muertos which translates into The Beach of the Dead. Most likely named for the cemetery you walk through to get to the beach. The cemetery is very large and maintained by family members. The beach is also a popular spot for Mexican families and maintained by the city. It was a fairly short hike compared to our hike to Playa Malpasos, but a wonderful taste of Mexican culture. There are three main extended Mexican families that make up a large part of the 2000 full time residents in Sayulita.

 This is the Cemetery

 The Beach of the Dead

Playa Malpasos, Sayulita

Far from the Pacific Northwest in Sayulita, Mexico! The temperature is around 85 degrees Fahrenheit and beautiful. Sayulita is 24 miles north of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Ocean. For our first day here we picked a hike to Playa Malpasos, one of Sayulita's less traveled beaches. The trails through the jungle in Sayulita are not your typical well marked National Park Trails. For example here are some hiking directions to Playa Malpasos, "Shortly you will cross a small river (dry in the winter) the main path appears to follow the river to the right but look straight ahead and you will see several large boulders. Clamber over or go around the rocks and follow the path across a cobblestone road (which is a private road from the beach-house to the main highway) and continue along the dirt track." This can get slightly confusing sometimes. However, it is well worth the effort if you make it to Playa Malpasos. It is a great place to sit in the sun without a hundred other people around you. Not a great place to swim because of the strong undertow.

The dirt jungle road to the beach is full of birds and butterflies. I was able to get a couple butterflies to sit long enough for a picture. I also was able to get some unusual flowers as well.

This flower reminds me of Horton Hears a Who. I have yet to identify it.