North Beach County Park to McCurdy Point

Olympic Peninsula — Northern Coast

This beach walk demonstrates the successful rehabilitation of a former dumpsite into a popular hiking destination, with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.

By K. Huntress Inskeep

From the trailhead at North Beach County Park, you’d never know this beach was once the site of a rubbish dump. Only the sharpest eyes will still find the occasional bit of water-polished glass among shoreline pebbles and rock, the origin of the site’s local “Glass Beach” moniker. As you approach McCurdy Point, you’ll start to see scattered evidence of history in the form of old tires and related detritus.

Many eagles make their home in the trees on the bluff above, so you are sure to see — and hear — at least a few. Seabirds also abound. A herd of seals enjoys gathering near the point; you’ll likely see a few of their curious faces poking up offshore. The bluff walls offer geology geeks layers of time and geophysics to ponder.

The hike is popular, but many visitors turn back short of McCurdy Point — go the distance and you may enjoy greater solitude as well as small tide pools during lower tides. Hikers may occasionally need to climb over small logs during some tides.

Speaking of tides: It’s essential to respect the tide here. Consult a tide table and plan accordingly to avoid getting trapped at high tide — the sandy bluffs abut private property and offer few to no escape routes. One possibility is to start your journey shortly after peak high tide during a cycle that will give you plenty of time for the approximately 6-mile (out-and-back) distance.

There are portable toilets, picnic tables and a small picnic shelter adjacent to the parking lot at the trailhead; more facilities and opportunities for hiking are at adjacent Fort Worden Park. WTA pro tip: The parking lot at North Beach County Park is small; avoid parking in the adjacent neighborhood.

Distance: 6 miles roundtrip

Elevation gain: Minimal

Highest elevation: 100 feet

Permit: None (but limited parking)

Dogs: Leashed

Tide table: NOAA Tide Table tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ stationhome.html?id=9444900

Info: wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ north-beach-county-park-tomccurdy-point

Trailhead transit directions: Catch Jefferson Transit Route 2 at Haines Place Park & Ride in Port Townsend. Route 2 stops at San Juan Ave/45th, Spruce and W St or at Fort Worden, all of which offer pleasant, short hikes through Fort Worden State Park trails to North Beach. From Seattle, M–F: Kingston Fast Ferry to Route 14/Kingston Express. From Edmonds, M–F: EdmondsKingston Ferry to Route 14/ Kingston Express. From Kitsap County, North Viking Park and Ride, M–Sat: Jefferson Transit Route 7.

Trailhead driving directions: From the center of Port Townsend, follow F Street for 0.7 mile. Turn right onto San Juan Avenue and continue for 1 mile. Follow the road, which will veer left and become 49th Street, then immediately turn right onto Kuhn Street. The parking lot is at the end of the road in about 0.5 mile.

NEARBY HIKES

Cappy’s Trails: A network of trails in a suburban greenbelt connecting to Jefferson County Fairgrounds and easily reached from uptown or downtown Port Townsend. (4 miles of trails, minimal elevation gain)

Larry Scott/Olympic Discovery Trail East: Winding to or from Port Townsend’s marina, this rail trail is the easternmost end of the growing Olympic Discovery Trail. It welcomes hikers, cyclists and horseback riders alike as it meanders among trees and quiet agrarian, semirural neighborhoods on the outskirts of town. The eastern section approaching town offers invigorating views of Port Townsend Bay. (7.3 miles oneway, 641 feet of elevation gain)