Olympic National Park is big. It’s not the biggest in the U.S., but its remoteness, varied terrain, non-contiguous boundaries, and the lack of roads that traverse its rugged, rainy expanse all combine to make it feel enormous.
Our first stay in the park was at the Kalaloch (pronounced “clay-lock”) Beach Campground along the far western edge along the Pacific.
Thanks to Glenn’s optimism and the use of our new favorite tool, CampFlare, we were able to snag a coveted site overlooking the beach that became available when someone else cancelled an earlier reservation. From this vantage point, we enjoyed walks along the beach and our last Pacific sunset of this journey.
Kalaloch is most known for its so-called Tree of Life that clings with exposed roots to a chasm in the beachside bluff, which was just a quarter mile from our campsite. The picturesque beach feels moody and brooding thanks to the usual low clouds scudding overhead.
Low clouds frame the rocky shore. 
Here we are on a chilly day at Kalaloch Beach. 
Low tide at Kalaloch with Destruction Island beyond. 
A glimpse of the lighthouse at Destruction Island off the coast of Kalaloch. 
Moody beach. 
Stony outcroppings line the shore. 
Rocks at low tide. 
Selfie with Destruction Island’s lighthouse in the distance. 
Rocky foundation exposed by the waves at Kalaloch.
The nearby forests that line the beaches cannot help but be lush from the bountiful rain that falls here. Wild berries like these salmonberries and thimbleberries were delicious foraging finds on our hikes!
Salmonberry 
Thimbleberry 
The wooded bluffs that fringe the beach. 
Giant Sitka Spruce near Kalaloch 
The understory of Kalaloch 
Gaultheria’s charming blooms fringe the forest paths.