Rialto Beach

We’ve spent the past two glorious days camping just 2 miles down the road from fabulous Rialto Beach.

Famous for its stunning shoreline and sunsets

The first day we arrived at Mora Campground mid-afternoon and after settling in took the short drive down to the beach. Even though the sun was shinning in a bright blue sky when we left the campground, the beach was covered with thick fog and the wind was howling. No matter, we still enjoyed wandering down the shore, marveling at the frozen in time “ghost” trees at the edge of the forest and watching Phin excitedly prance around on the rocky beach.

“Ghost” tree- A Sitka Spruce suffocated by the winter tides and frozen in time. They look like huge bones sticking out of the sand.

Phineas among the huge driftwood logs

Tim & Phin getting some exercise

Foggy

Me. Believe it or not this was the picture where I look the least windblown!

Stacks of driftwood logs line the shore

Rialto beach is best enjoyed at low tide. If you go at high tide you have to walk far up on the shore among the driftwood which can be rather precarious, not to mention dangerous. You also miss out on exploring famous Hole-in-the-Wall rock, as well as the tide pools.

After consulting the handy tide chart posted at the check in station at our campground we learned that low tide for Monday was around 7:30 in the morning or 7:30 at night. Sunset is supposed to be gorgeous on the beach so after dinner we headed down to take a longer stroll. This time we got lucky and the sky was clear and blue with not a hint of fog anywhere.

Tim stands by a HUGE log

By the time we walked the mile and half down to Hole-in-the-Wall rock the sun was low in the sky making the towering sea stacks look even more dramatic.

Sea stacks

Shiny, polished pebbles

Low tide reveals rocks covered in bright green seaweed

And starfish! Lots and lots of them tucked among the rocks.

We also spotted a few sea anemones

Looking through Hole-in-the-Wall rock

At high tide this hole is impossible to walk through or around. You have to climb up the bluff to get around it.

James Island. Until the second half of the 19th century it was the site of a Quileute Indian village. Today the U.S. Coast guard operates a lighthouse and foghorn atop the island.

Sunset is pretty special out here

After sunset glow

We’ve greatly enjoyed this picturesque beach and all it has to offer. Today we’re heading over the to Hoh Rainforest for a little exploration. We’ll be back at the beach tomorrow though as we head down the coast to check out Ruby beach and spend a few nights in Ocean Shores.