Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) is a beautiful Olympic National Park backpack that’s great for beginners and can be enjoyed year-round. We had an amazing trip in January and are sharing everything you need to know to plan and prepare for your own Cape Alava Loop backpack below!

About Cape Alava and the Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) hike

Where is Cape Alava?

Cape Alava is located on the coast in Washington state, within the beautiful Olympic National Park and Makah Indian Reservation. Cape Alava is actually the westernmost point in the contiguous United States! 

How long is the hike to Cape Alava?

Starting from the Ozette Ranger Station, you can access Cape Alava by way of an easy 3.1-mile hike (one way) through the forest, with much of the trail consisting of boardwalks. 

What is the Ozette Triangle?

You can visit Cape Alava via the aforementioned out-and-back trail through the woods (6.2 miles roundtrip), or you can extend your trip to enjoy the 9.4-mile Cape Alava Loop, also known as the Ozette Triangle (cool name, huh?!).

The Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) hike consists of three nearly equal parts: the Cape Alava Trail, a walk on the beach between Cape Alava and Sand Point, and then a second trail back through the woods known as the Sand Point Trail. When you put these three parts together, it forms an equilateral triangle – hence the name!

How to get to the Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) hike

Whether you are doing an out-and-back hike or the full Cape Alava / Ozette Triangle Loop, you will begin your adventure from the Ozette Ranger Station located within the northwest corner of Olympic National Park.

If you’re traveling from the Seattle area to the Cape Alava Loop hike, you have two options. The first involves taking a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island or from Edmonds to Kingston and driving over from there. This option takes roughly 4.5 hours depending on your ferry wait times. If you prefer to avoid the ferry, you can drive south through Tacoma and then up around the bottom side of Olympic National Park. This option takes about 5.5 hours, but removes the unpredictability and cost of a ferry ride.

Since we live north of Seattle, we typically take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston when heading over to the Olympic Peninsula. We’ve never had any issues getting on the first available boat in Edmonds, however we have found that it can be quite busy on the return trip leaving from Kingston. If you want to avoid a potentially long wait on your way home (especially true in the summer), we recommend planning to take the ferry on the way there, and then do the drive on the way back.

Backpacking Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle)

While you can certainly do the Cape Alava Loop as a nice day hike, we opted to enjoy Olympic Coast backpacking for the first time! Since there is minimal elevation gain, Cape Alava Loop is a good beginner backpacking option, and its low overall elevation also makes it a good option for those looking for early season or winter backpacking (with proper expectations and preparation of course – read on!). 

We opted to do the Cape Alava Loop backpack over just two days. Day one included the 3.1-mile hike from the Ozette Ranger Station into Cape Alava Campground where we spent the night. Day two included roughly 6.3 miles of hiking, split up between the beach portion and the Sand Point Trail back through the woods to where we began. If you want to make this even easier, you could split it into three days, camping one night at Cape Alava and a second night at Sand Point. 

We chose to stay at the Cape Alava Campground because fires are allowed there unlike at Sand Point. We knew it would be chilly doing this backpack in January, and so having a campfire felt like a necessity! We also read that the sites at Cape Alava Campground are quite open and offer great views of the water, while still allowing you to be plenty far from the high tide line, whereas the Sand Point campsites are more tucked back in the trees. There are pit toilets at both Cape Alava and Sand Point Campgrounds. While these are the two most popular and well-established camping areas, you could also consider staying at Wedding Rocks or South Sand Point.

What passes are needed to hike and backpack at Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle)?

Whether you are day hiking or camping overnight, you will need to purchase a park entrance pass since the trail is located within Olympic National Park. You can buy a temporary pass that’s good for seven days, or if you’re like us and visit national parks and other federal recreation lands all throughout the year, we highly recommend just purchasing the annual America the Beautiful Pass. Either way, make sure you have the pass displayed any time you’re in the park.

If you plan to camp along the Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) trail, you must also obtain a backcountry permit from Recreation.gov. After you click “check availability,” you’ll select North Coast to see the correct options for this backpack. We had no trouble purchasing a permit at the last minute (perks of going in winter!), but in the summer you can expect reservations to book up well in advance so plan ahead.

What to expect backpacking the Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) in the winter?

Checking the weather

We purposely kept a close eye on the weather to make sure we did the Cape Alava Loop backpack on the nicest winter weekend possible. Coastal weather can be unpredictable and change frequently, so be sure to keep checking the Cape Alava weather multiple times leading up to your departure to ensure nothing has changed significantly. You’ll want to avoid any chance of storms or high winds, as that could not only make your hike quite miserable, but potentially unsafe as well.  

For our backpacking weekend, the Cape Alava weather was essentially full sun with highs around 35-40 degrees and the low overnight around 20 degrees. Thanks to our preparation (tips below), we were only a little cold at some points overnight, but overall actually quite comfortable! It really helped that there was little to no wind to make us feel colder. While hiking, I was actually quite hot in just a long sleeve shirt and Smartwool pullover.  

Having a fire

As previously mentioned, the only place you are allowed to have a fire along the Cape Alava Loop trail is at the Cape Alava Campground area. You are only permitted to burn driftwood from the beach and are not supposed to burn wood found in forested areas. Some sources mentioned that driftwood can be hard to come by in the summer, but there was plenty for us in January. Utilize existing fire rings or build fires on the beach to prevent damage to tree roots.

Knowing that the driftwood would be soaked and tough to burn at first, we packed in fire starters and some dry kindling wood. This was extremely helpful! The one other couple who were also staying at the Cape Alava Campground told us the next day that they gave up on even having a fire because it was so tough with just the driftwood. We also packed in a hatchet so we could cut the driftwood into smaller and thinner pieces that would dry out and burn quicker. 

Even still, it took several hours to really get a good hot fire going, it was super smokey the entire time, and it took a lot of attention to keep it going. Start your fire plenty early (before dark) if you want to have it going well by the time it really starts to get colder.  

Hiking on the beach

When you think of a hike on the beach, you’re probably thinking of flat sand and a relaxing stroll. Well, that’s not quite the case on the Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) hike. While it’s absolutely beautiful and totally worth it, it is a bit trickier than your standard sandy beach walk! You’ll be walking on rocks much of the time and occasionally climbing over or under big trees/logs that have washed ashore. Leave the sandals at home and make sure you have solid hiking boots to make your life easier and support your feet and ankles. 

Planning for the tides on the Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) hike

While we’re on the topic of hiking on the beach, it’s important to know that tides are a thing, and they will affect how your hike goes! Check the tides before your trip, print or take a photo of the chart to bring with you, and plan your hike timing accordingly. 

If you can time your hike on the beach portion of the trail during low tide, that’s going to be your easiest bet, although there are rough bypass trails up through the woods should you need them (they are marked with large red and black circular signs). There are two places on the loop where you need to be especially aware of the tides: one mile north of Sand Banks and at Wedding Rocks. If the tide is ~5 feet or lower, you can go around these tidal obstacles via the beach, otherwise you will need to scramble over the rocks or use the trails that cross over the bluff. We did our hike at low tide and had no issues at all. 

You’ll also want to keep the tides in mind as you set up camp for the night. Ensure you’re well above the high tide line, which was easy at Cape Alava Campground where we were up off the sand (in the woods) but still had a great view of the water from a safe place!

Water sources on the Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) hike

While there are some water sources along the loop, they sounded a bit sketchy and unreliable, so we decided to just pack in all the water we would need. We brought roughly 7 liters between the two of us, but ended up using less than 5. Your water needs will depend a lot on what you bring for food and whether or not it may require water (like freeze dried meals). We brought a water filter just in case, but felt best knowing we had plenty of water with us no matter what happened. According to the NPS website: later into the summer, Wedding Rocks, Sand Point, and South Sand Point water sources typically dry up, so also keep that in mind.

Storing your food safely 

When backpacking along the coast, bear canisters are required. Racoons can easily climb trees and access food that has been hung, so be sure to use the canister for all food, waste, and scented items overnight and any time you are away from camp. 

More information to help you prepare

Before doing any hike or backpack, we highly recommend doing as much research as possible to ensure you are prepared. 

Read the hike description and check trail reports from websites such as WTA. We also recommend downloading an offline map to your phone (we usually use AllTrails although there are a number of other services out there, such as Gaia). You should also check the official land manager website to learn if there could be any hazards or closures (in this case, the NPS website). It’s also a good idea to download an offline Google Map of the general area for driving, as you’ll often lose service at the trailhead and want to ensure you can get back on the right route heading home after your adventure. 

And please, before you head out, make sure you’re aware of Leave No Trace principles to help protect incredible places such as Olympic National Park. And if you want to go above and beyond, pack an empty bag that you could use to collect trash as you walk along the beach! We found SO much trash unfortunately and wished we had thought of this sooner.

Tips for staying warm when backpacking in the Winter

Winter camping and backpacking certainly isn’t for everyone. Make sure you know your comfort level and assess your gear before you decide to take on the challenge. If you do decide to head out in the offseason, here are a few tips to help make you as comfortable as possible:

• If you’re with a significant other (or really close friend!), zip your sleeping bags together. I repeat: ZIP YOUR SLEEPING BAGS TOGETHER. Even if you don’t have the same brand, chances are that you can do this. And I’m telling you, it makes all the difference in the world sharing your body heat with another human.
• Bring hand warmers into your sleeping bag. You can throw them down by your feet, hold them in your hands, or tuck them between your thighs. I personally prefer to use a rechargeable hand warmer such as this one so it’s less wasteful, more powerful, and also serves as a power bank for your phone or other devices. 
• Bring a comfy hat to sleep in. It never fails that my ears are the coldest part once I’m snug in my sleeping bag, but a hat makes a big difference for retaining body heat.
• Purchase a sleeping bag liner. I have this one from REI that packs up small but adds an extra cozy layer to my bag. I honestly use this all year long. If it’s really hot in the summer, you can just sleep in this and ditch your bag all together. If you want something even warmer, you could consider this option. Added bonus: it is much easier to wash than your sleeping bag! 
• Stick to looser fitting layers vs tight nighttime clothing. Tight clothing can restrict the body’s blood circulation and affect your ability to stay warm. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my comfort with baggier clothing – I feel warmer and overall less damp and clammy. I also like to keep my puffy jacket handy as a last ditch effort if I wake up really cold. 
• And finally, a much-loved trick that we’ve actually never tried ourselves! I’ve heard many people swear by putting boiling water in a Nalgene and sticking that in your sleeping bag. Of course, make sure the lid is on very tight and that you are using the right kind of bottle, like this. You can read more on this trick here. 

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Gear recommendations for backpacking Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) in winter

This is not meant to be an exhaustive packing list, but rather a few specific recommendations that we found to be super helpful for this specific trip. 

• Bear canister – required for backpacking on the coast (multiple sizes available at REI).
• Binoculars – great for spotting wildlife at a distance (we saw sea lions sunbathing on a rock and a ton of eagles!).
• Water bladder – my 3-liter bladder was super handy since we packed in all of our water for the weekend.
• Fire starters – as mentioned above, these were SO helpful for getting a fire started vs only having wet driftwood. We use these any time we want to have a fire.
• Rechargeable hand warmer – perfect little source of heat for all your adventures.
• Waterproof boots – I have these boots and absolutely love them! They keep my feet so warm and dry on all our winter hikes and snowshoes. They gave me great traction on the slippery boardwalks and beach rocks, and kept me dry even when I had to walk through some water on the beach.
• Slip-on camp shoes – I am OBSESSED with these Teva shoes! I wear them everywhere; around home and on the go. They kept my feet nice and warm on this backpack (mens option).
• Camp chairs – it gets dark really early in the winter, which means more time to sit by the fire! We almost didn’t bring our chairs but were so glad we did so we could be comfortable all evening long.
• Waterproof puffy coat – this coat is great because it’s both warm and waterproof just in case (women | men). I’m wearing mine in the photo below!
• Sleeping bag liner – packs up small but adds some extra warmth and cozy factor.
• Good quality sleeping bag – last, but certainly not least! If you don’t have a good quality sleeping bag, you’ll want to get one before this trip. We like this Mountain Hardwear zero-degree bag (men | women).

Looking for other adventures to have in the off-season? Check out these posts for inspiration:

• Winter camping at Dash Point State Park near Seattle
• 12 Fun Things to Do Near Blaine, WA Any Time of Year
• A Beautiful Stevens Pass Snowshoe Trail: Grace Lakes
• 10 Early-Season Backpacking Trips (Including Beginner Options)
• Explore Rialto Beach and the Incredible Hole-in-the-Wall on the Olympic Coast