South Coast Route

South Coast Route is a 17-mile, one-way wilderness traverse from Third Beach Trailhead to Oil City Trailhead, following Olympic’s outer coast through long beaches, rocky headlands and forest bypasses. It is a point-to-point backpack, not a loop; most parties take two or three days and camp along the shore. The park rates it moderate to difficult and lists about 1,900 feet of cumulative climbing. Even level beach sections can be slow: soft sand, gravel, drift logs, tides and creek fords all affect the pace. The mapped line follows connected coastal paths, but the beach corridor shifts with water level and is not a precise track to follow at every tide.

Carry a tide table and current topographic map, and plan each headland crossing before leaving camp. The passage south of Scott Creek is passable only at tides of 4 feet or lower; Diamond Rock near Jefferson Cove requires 2 feet or lower and can remain impassable across several tide cycles. Treat those as firm limits. Narrow beaches can disappear against bluffs, sending the route steeply inland on laddered or rope-assisted bypasses. Check park conditions and tides before setting out. This point-to-point trip also requires transport at both ends.

From the trailhead, a 1.4-mile forest approach descends about 200 feet to Third Beach. Look south toward the offshore sea stacks known as Giants Graveyard. Taylor Point forces a steep climb into coastal forest, then a descent back to the beach using ladders and ropes. Southward, the route alternates between sand and short headland bypasses before reaching Scott Creek, Strawberry Point and Toleak Point. A small cove near Taylor Point may be submerged at tides above 4.5 feet; the stretch south of Scott Creek has its separate 4-foot limit. Toleak is a major campsite and water stop, not the end of this route.

Beyond Toleak, beach walking gives way to a steep forest bypass around cliffs at Goodman Creek. This muddy overland section is about 1.5 miles. Falls and Goodman Creeks are fords rather than bridges; their depth varies, and high water can push saltwater up Falls Creek. The route returns to the coast for roughly 2.2 miles before the Mosquito Creek crossing. Leave extra time for wet footing and variable crossings instead of treating the segment distances as a pace guarantee.

From Mosquito Creek, the route turns inland for a roughly 3.5-mile forest bypass to Jefferson Cove, its longest overland stretch. The tread can be muddy and overgrown, and weathered stairs and a ladder descend steeply to the cove. Diamond Rock is the tightest tide restriction at 2 feet or lower. At the Hoh River, do not attempt a ford: follow the trail along the south bank for about 0.6 mile to Oil City Trailhead. The end of the beach is not the road access.

Sea stacks and offshore rocks define much of the walk, with seals and seabirds using the rocks and nearby water. Gray whales migrate along this coast in March and April and again in October; sightings are possible, never guaranteed. Low tides expose tide pools, but access depends on safe water and surf conditions. The long distances between camps make the quiet coves and changing shoreline part of the experience, not just scenery between destinations.

Overnight trips require an Olympic wilderness permit and a bear canister; groups are limited to 12, and pets are prohibited on park trails and beaches. Privies are available at the trailheads and at several camps, including south Third Beach, Toleak Point and the Mosquito Creek area. Jackson Creek near Toleak is the nearest reliable water noted for that section; treat natural water before drinking. Plan food and water for the full route because there are no services along the coast.

For a day walk, Third Beach is about 1.4 miles from parking. Return for a roughly 2.8-mile outing; this covers only the northern access, not the remote through-route.