Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
The trail is a mud patch past the forest
1 this month · 42 reports
Olympic Peninsula
The South Coast Wilderness Trail to Toleak Point is currently accessible with no reported snow or significant bug issues. The road to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles, and parking at Third Beach can fill up on weekends, though permits are not strictly required to be printed. Key obstacles involve navigating several rope ladders and overland trails, particularly around Taylor Point and Scott's Bluff, which can be muddy and require careful timing with tides. Tidal restrictions are a significant factor, especially when approaching Toleak Point itself, and missing the optimal tide window can create challenges with rock hopping. Several reports mention privies at Toleak Point and Scott's Creek, though the south privy at Toleak Point was noted as full as of September 19. Wildlife, including seals, otters, and various birds, has been observed.
Generated from 21 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.
The rope ladders are generally in good condition, with some reports noting their sturdiness as of September 19 and July 6. The overland trails can be muddy and steep, particularly the section to Scott's Bluff, which features a rope to aid in the ascent as of August 3.
Yes, tidal restrictions are a critical consideration for this trail, particularly when reaching Toleak Point and navigating around Scott's Bluff and Diamond Point. Hikers need to time their travel with low tides to avoid difficult rock hopping or impassable sections, as noted in reports from August 8 and August 3.
Campsites at Toleak Point are available in the treeline on low ledges above the beach, which are considered preferable to camping on the sand as of August 8. As of September 19, the south privy at Toleak Point was full, but a functioning privy is available a short walk north.
The road leading to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles according to multiple reports from September 19 and August 8. Parking at the Third Beach trailhead can be competitive on weekends, with the lot being about half full as of July 6.
The trail is a mud patch past the forest
1 this month · 42 reports
Muddy trail and big steps await you
1 this month · 25 reports
Fall colors are stunning, meadow trails are puddles
43 reports
Rope ladder with broken rungs
34 reports
Boardwalks are in rough shape
30 reports
Golden leaves and fungi bursting forth
26 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Day 1: My sister and I spent 3 days, two nights out on the south coast trail. Trail started out nice and gentle, with that first mile and a half being pretty chill until the very end there was a short...
This is a beautiful hike from Third Beach to Oil City. Beach, dramatic rock formations, swimmable sea, rock pools, forest, streams, wildlife. Third Beach parking lot fills up on the weekends. If you a...
Just got back from backpacking along the Southern Olympic Coast with a group of older scouts, all experienced backpackers, who all agreed that this was the best hiking trip they’d ever been on. Words ...
Day 1 - Started in Oil City on Saturday at 5:30 am to time it with the tides. Trail was slightly overgrown at the start but cleared up the further we went in.We barely made it before high tide, so lot...
Had an amazing experience, thanks to all staff and caretakers! The ropes and ladders are in good condition, people have cleaned up pretty well after themselves.we hide out Monday morning, got to the t...
Oil City to 3rd Beach June 29-July 1st.Weather was in the 50's, mostly dry and the sunsets were beautiful.Party was two, fifty-something women in strong enough shape. Without packs, we generally walk ...
The Third Beach trailhead parking lot was full when we arrived around 10AM and there were many people hiking in and out, so I recommend arriving a little earlier. We hiked first to Strawberry Point fo...
Hiked from Third Beach to Toleak the first day. Dead Gray Whale on the beach at Toleak made the campsites a bit stinky when the wind was wrong. Planned on camping at Jefferson Cove the second night ...
Great conditions. Started at Oil City and went to Third Beach. Left my car at Third Beach and took a private shuttle. No issues fording any of the creeks. The ladder on the north side of Scott's Bluff...
This tip started at the Third Beach trailhead.This is a challenging trip, steep ladders over Taylor Point and Scott's Bluff. There is no black and orange markers on either end of Scott's Bluff overlan...