Mileage: 11 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 130ft
Map: USGS Dungeness but not really needed.
Favorite Eats After Hike: Butcher & Baker Provisions, Turnip The Beet, Yodelin, Nourish Sequim, Finn River, or just Pack A Cooler. You can learn more about these places in my Must Hike Must Eat Eating Out Guide.
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
Hike Details:
Dungeness Spit is a sandy oasis outside Port Angeles when you want to escape the dreary weather of Seattle. Part of a national wildlife refuge area, Dungeness Spit extends out from the peninsula to reach a lighthouse you can actually rent and stay in for a week at a time. Give yourself plenty of time to explore the length of the beach and take a tour of the lighthouse!
My Hike:
9/4/2016
We were going to go backpacking but the weather in the North Cascades deteriorated for the weekend so we headed to the driest area in Washington State hoping to prolong summer a bit.
Our gamble paid off as the skies were blue for most of our “hike” along the coast. The miles on the beach walk were totally worth it, especially for the view from the lighthouse at the end.
We walked barefoot on the way back and the extra work dodging rocks had us fairly sore back at the car but completely happy. Most folks seem to stop within a mile of the trailhead so we were alone most of the hike. The folks manning the lighthouse for the week were very cheerful and talked up to almost everyone about how anyone can rent out the lighthouse living quarters and help give tours themselves. It sounds like a vacation worth considering!
Directions: From Port Angeles, drive east on Highway 101 for 12 miles. Turn right at MP 260 onto Kitchen-Dick Rd. At 3.3 miles, the road goes right and becomes Lotzgesell Road. In about a quarter mile make a left Voice of America Road signed for the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Dungeness Recreation Area. The trailhead is found one mile down this road past the campground, where there are restrooms and potable water available. The refuge has a $3 entrance fee, which covers groups up to 4 people. You will also find a nice visitor’s area and a ranger to answer questions.
For more hikes on the Olympic Peninsula, click HERE
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