Trip Details

Navigate the rugged coastal rocks, explore tide-pools brimming with life, see petroglyphs, and learn about this area’s rich indigenous history on the Olympic Coast. The variety of terrain keeps it interesting, whether you’re climbing overland or scrambling around a head at low tide. Olympic National Park offers a wide variety of plant and animal life, including the starfish, seals, and seabirds that make their homes in and along the Pacific Ocean. Embrace the thrill of exploration and discovery on this four-night adventure on the Olympic Coast. This trip includes a visit to the Makah Museum in Neah Bay. The museum interprets and houses 300-500 year old artifacts recovered from the Ozette Archeological Site, just north of Cape Alava, one of the route’s camping locations.

We provide all needed gear, including boots and clothing if notified 4 weeks ahead of time. Food from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day is provided, and we will send you a menu and food options form to fill out before your trip. Transportation is provided from the meet location in Edgewood.

Highlights

Coastline – Tidepools – Wildlife – History

Difficulty Level

Easy: Very little elevation gain and loss, 9-15 miles over four days, boardwalk and wide trails in the forest, some challenging footing over sand and boulders along the beach sections.

Length

Five days

Available dates

June 24-28

CONTACT NATALIE RESZKA TO SIGN UP

nreszka@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Lincoln High School students and guardians can also request a sign up link by emailing trips@sahaleoutdoors.org

“On the brink of extinction, drums and hearts still beating!
. . . telling me not to speak my language
well we’re still speaking
don’t sing my songs
well we’re still singing
telling me it’s illegal to dance
well we’re still keeping it moving” 

~John Pritchard III, Makah slam poet

Historically, the Makah were highly skilled mariners, using sophisticated navigational and maritime skills. They carved canoes from western red cedar and used them for a myriad of purposes. There were war, whaling, halibut, salmon fishing, sealing canoes and large cargo canoes. There were even smaller canoes which children used for practice. The canoes had sails so that paddlers could use the wind to their advantage. When they landed, it was done stern first so that, if necessary, the paddlers could make a quick exit. The canoes and their contents were never disturbed as the Makah were taught from an early age to respect the belongings of others. The Makah were tireless paddlers and traveled great distances to obtain food or trade their wealth. Today, the Makah maintain their traditions of traveling by canoe.

The tradition of whaling is a source of great pride among the Makah. Whales were hunted for their meat and blubber, and nearly every part of the whale was designated for use. Humpback, right, sperm, gray, fin and blue whales were among the species traditionally hunted by the Makah. Oil rendered from the whale’s blubber was a valuable commodity, earning whaling families great wealth. The bones of the whale were useful for making combs, spindle whorls, war clubs, bark pounders, shredders and personal adornments. The Makah work with NOAA Fisheries to maintain their treaty rights of whaling in Neah Bay while still following marine mammal regulations. “The Makah people have an enduring relationship with the sea and all marine creatures, but that connection is especially strong with whales, which are central to our identity as a people.” (Patrick DePoe)

~ This information found on Makah.com