Rialto Beach / Olympic National Park / Washington State

To start, this was my first time visiting the Pacific Northwest. After a night of backcountry camping in the Hoh Rain Forest, we decided to stop over in Rialto Beach to see what it was like, and we were not disappointed. The hike out to "Hole In The Wall" hugged the Pacific Coast, and the rocky beach can be quite a challenge. Sinking into the tiny rocks can be frustrating, and you can attempt to step differently, but I can tell you first hand, it won't matter.

The views along the shore are breathtaking. To the left, hiking in, you have the Pacific Ocean, riddled with sea stacks and the smell of salt. To the right, miles and miles of drift wood, beyond it, the sheer moss filled beauty of Olympic National Park.

The spot we found was more than ideal for an overnight. Beyond the driftwood, a ring of stone left by the site's previous occupants made set up a breeze. Twenty feet away a fresh water stream poured into the Pacific, making trips for water to filter out even more simple. The best however, was the driftwood making the perfect home for a day time hammock hang.

The next morning, the tide rolled in quickly, and hiking along the beach was not possible. This made for an even greater adventure... Escape! The driftwood laid out made for the perfect route, hopping from trunk to trunk, dodging the water crashing in all around us. My one recommendation for this adventure: Tidal Chart.