Second Beach

Second Beach – 4.3mi / 6.9km

Wide, sandy beaches give you vantages of rock arches, spindly sea stacks, and access to tide pools on this exquisite beach. The trail climbs up and over a ridge through the dense coastal forest featuring an array of trees with fascinating root formations. You’ll steeply drop down to the beach, but will need to clamor over a pile of large driftwood logs to get to the sandy beach.

Once on the beach, however, the walking is easy as you can explore the tide pools to the north set under an arch. As you travel south, you realize that the island of Crying Lady Rock is hiding a series of spiky sea stacks called the Quillayute Needles that extend out into the surf. At the south end of the beach, the forested ridge towers like amphitheaters. Tide pools can be accessed here during low tide and a handful of rock arches are visible.

Trailhead: Turn west onto Hwy 110/La Push Road from Hwy 101, 1.5 miles north of Forks. Follow the road almost 13 miles to the signed Second Beach parking area. The trail begins west of the parking area. 

Elevation Gain: 280ft / 84m – Elevation Loss: 280ft / 84m

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