Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
2013.09.07
When approaching Ruby Beach from the north, you would never even know you were near the ocean. In the stretch around Forks, US-101 runs about 10 to 15 miles from the coast. Eventually though, it turns to roughly follow the Hoh River, before reaching the coast near Ruby Beach.
Ruby Beach is the northernmost of a series of beaches in a separate coastal section of Olympic National Park. The name comes from garnet fragments mixed in the gray sand, though you’d be hard-pressed to actually see any unless the sun hits them just right. From the parking lot, the trail is about a quarter-mile down to the beach.
The beach is littered with driftwood logs with interesting patterns.
Like many northwest beaches, there are sea stacks on and near the beach. The deactivated Destruction Island Lighthouse is visible about 3.5 miles away.
Sol Duc Falls