Winter Hiking Trails Vancouver

Speaking of raccoons, they are as much a problem for campers as bears in the high country. (But at least you don't have to worry about raccoons dragging your friends into the woods and mauling them.) Come prepared to hang your food and anything else scented in a tough container, like a bucket, day and night. Take your backpack into the tent with you at night, to keep the varmints from ripping it open with their razor-sharp little claws. During the day, leave your tent open and empty. I once lost an empty dome tent to raccoons who wanted to see what was inside. Don't underestimate their tenacity or intelligence.

We made great time on the first half of the trail and ended up camping at Tsusiat Falls, one of the most popular spots on the trail. A classic pacific storm hit the day we set up camp at the falls so we spent an extra day there waiting it out. The falls has a swimming pond below it with a rope swing that we played on for hours on end…even in the rain. Behind the falls is a natural shelf to sit on and bathe. A bit to the south of the falls on the beach is a large cave that provided us with dry shelter during the storm. We set up camp fitting four tents in the cave and our cooking fire outside away from the gear. One of the most relaxing and days camping I have ever encountered.

Like your first post about the PacNW, John...the pictures were awesome! I'm a Texan, so I know a good rope swing, and yours sounds like a fun one complete with waterfalls. I would get a kick out of the Chutes Ladders, too!

With sea stacks, sea otters, sea lions, and ocean scenery for as far as you can see, the 9.4-mile Ozette Triangle is one of the finest hikes on the Olympic Coast. Easily accessible and a loop hike, the Triangle (named for the loop's shape) is a perfect introduction to America's wildest coastline south of Alaska.