The beautiful Washington coast at it's best is waiting for the beach comber on Rialto Beach. Rialto beach is the gateway to amazing beach hiking to the north for explorers looking for pristine beaches, off shore sea stacks, great Pacific Ocean vistas and a unique hiking experience. Access to Rialto Beach is very easy for most visitors. The parking lot is located within a few yards of the beach and provides restroom facilities and an informational kiosk. 

Agates: I only found three small agates as I was hiking back down the beach toward the parking lot. The agates were found close to the surf in fine grained beach gravel. Other agate specimens may also be found in rock beds but diligent searching will be necessary. I spent several hours scanning the rocks beds as I made my way north up the beach with no success in finding agates. The three small agate specimens were surprise finds as I walked down close to the surfs edge. 

Sea Stacks: One of the most amazing aspects of Rialto Beach and even further north are the "Sea Stacks" positioned immediately off the beach or off shore. These eroded promontories are the remnants of mainland cliffs and bluffs that have separated from the mainland due to erosion over the years. They stand as sentinels against the wind and weather as they slowly disintegrate from the pounding of the surf, weather and wind. 

Directions to Rialto Beach: Rialto Beach is located approximately 14 miles west of the town of Forks, WA. 
Directions from downtown Forks: Follow Olympic Highway, 101 1.5 miles north of Forks. Turn left (west) onto State Route WA-110/La Push Road. After 7.8 miles, turn right onto WA-110/Mora Road. Rialto Beach is located at the end of the road.
Hiking Information: National Park Service web site- https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/rialto-beach.htm#CP_JUMP_151345
Maps: National Park Service web site- https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/maps.htm

I have read several blog postings about this beach and the sea glass that can be found here. So, with much interest I made an exploratory trip recently to see what I could find. The Ediz Hook is a 3-mile-long (4.8 km) sand spit that extends from northern shore of the Olympic Peninsula at Port Angeles, W, northeasterly into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, located about 15-mile (24 km) West of the larger Dungeness Spit. 

The beach combing reports on other blogs described finding various amounts of sea glass or none at all. One stated, "When you go to Ediz Hook, don't expect to find much. Usually you'll get some tiny bits of indifferent glass, some metal objects, nice driftwood, but probably not a good piece of sea glass." Some did find sea glass marbles but little else. "So, if you go to Ediz Hook, go at low tide and don't expect to find anything. You may go home with nothing, or you may be SUPER surprised." http://www.odysseyseaglass.com/sea-glass-ediz-hook-port-angeles-wa.html​ 

I drove out on the road that is on the spit almost to the gate entry for the Coast Guard Station and parked. There is a large barrier of basalt boulders on the north side  creating a sea wall protecting the north beach. This is where I had heard that beachcombers find the sea glass.  I found an opening in the large boulders then began making my way west on the large round boulders. My experience that day was very disappointing. The outer beach of the Ediz Hook has been reinforced with a deep layer of rock and large boulders. I arrived right at low tide that happened on that morning to be at 4.4 feet. This was probably not a low enough tide to expose the lower beach area that held most of the sea glass and the prime reason I found nothing. According to other pictures I've seen, the beach at lower tides is primarily sand with gravel beds. The brick brack boulders seem to be higher on the beach and obscuring the sea glass. I recommend visiting this beach when the low tide is lower than 3 feet. You will probably find more glass and a much more successful hunt. The sea glass illustrated below were found by other combers in 2013. ​http://www.odysseyseaglass.com/sea-glass-ediz-hook-port-angeles-wa.html

Directions: Drive hwy 101 to Port Angeles, WA. Follow 101 (or E. Front St.) into town till it merges left onto Marine Drive. Follow Marine Drive out onto the Ediz Hook where it becomes Ediz Hook Rd. Park on the left just before the entry gate into the Coast Guard Station. 

5.3.16 Updated Field Report on Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, WA
I decided to return to Ediz Hook beach out in Port Angeles and see if a greater amount of sea glass could be found at a lower tide level. I arrived around 10am and the tide was nearing +1 foot and was dropping. This gave me some hope that more of the beach and gravel beds would be exposed. I had come to believe that some of the old glass debris from the Port Angeles beach dump below 8th and 10th streets would be washed up out here. This idea was supported by several blog postings over the years by other sea glass collectors. So, I began exploring the rock covered beach heading toward the west and back toward the main land. Even at lower tides the beach was still significantly covered with larger rocks and boulders making sea glass finds very difficult. 

Another larger piece of green sea glass was found about an hour later. This piece was very nice, well frosted and rounded. It had obviously been in the surf for several decades. Along the way I also picked up a few pieces of orbicular jasper which for me personally is hard to pass up. ​

In conclusion, the few hours sent on Ediz Hook were enjoyable but disappointing. It is a beautiful beach to explore with it's vast supply of rocks! If you are looking for sea glass, however, you will be disappointed. Here's a brief video of my last trip out to Ediz hook and the results of my hunt. 

3/8/16 - Special Field Trip to Glass Beach, Port Townsend!
This Saturday, March 12th, this web page's author will lead a hike out to Glass Beach to explore for glass treasures on the beach! We will meet at the North Beach park and parking lot around 9:00am or 9:15am in Port Townsend to begin our hike out to glass beach. Please pack a lunch, plenty of water bottles (2+), rain gear, good rubber boots and a hunger for sea glass. It will be about a 3 mile hike out to McCurdy Point to begin the hunt for sea glass around that area. For directions see the field report about Glass Beach on this web site. 

A few months ago I made an exploratory trip up to Port Townsend to see what North Beach was like. North Beach is considered to be Port Townsend's primary beach for the community. It faces north out onto the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Widbey Island is to the Northeast and the San Juan Islands due north by northwest. My primary focus at the time of this hike was agates. I hadn't begun my focused hunt of "Sea Glass" yet or even understood the types and qualities of glass that could be found on a beach. My focus at North Beach was to look for quality quartz and jasper in the gravel beds and to hopefully pick up a few agates. It's always the hope but usually a hit or miss proposition.  I found the North Beach parking lot and then set out heading east toward Point Wilson which is just north of Fort Warden. As a beachcomber heads east on North Beach you will notice that the bluff on your right will begin to rise with Fort Warden crowning it's headlands. The Fort Warden batteries were designed as coastal defenses beginning in 1900.  Multiple gun positions were strategically located on headlands that rise over 200 feet above the beach.

Agates: The gravel beds on North Beach were great hunting grounds that day and drew my focus every few yards. I did pick up a few amazingly opaque quartz stones that would go well in the rock tumbler. After about an hour and a half of focused rock hunting I turned my attention toward the sandy rock fall below the bluff. I thought there just might be a large agate waiting to be plucked from it's sandy embankment. After a few minutes my eyes landed on a cluster of rocks with an agate specimen staring up at me. ​

On several hikes weeks later I have found a few agate specimens as I have been scanning the rock beds for sea glass. The agates in most cases have been smaller specimens but the last one found on my way back up the beach toward the parking lot really caught my eye. It was a carnelian agate with a yellowish hue. It just proved to me that agates are actually more abundant on North Beach than I had previously thought. 

Sea Glass: While hunting for agates and colorful rocks on North Beach, I didn't really focus on sea glass but came upon an amazing sight while scanning the rock beds close to the bluff. Something very bright and colorful caught my eye. It was bright green and stood out against the drab browns and grays. I said to myself, "no way" and reached down. It was a beach tumbled green glass flower frog for floral arrangements, at least what remained of it. 

I'm sure with a beach combing focus leaning toward sea glass, I will be able to locate a greater trove next outing on North Beach. So, for all interested combers.... enjoy the beach!

Directions: Drive to North Beach parking lot, 5880 Kuhn St. in Port Townsend, WA.

Glass Beach/ North Beach hike tips to avoid high tide dangers
 New Entry: 2.22.16
On Monday, February 22nd, I made another exploratory hike heading west on North Beach in Port Townsend. A few weeks ago I made my first hike out to Glass Beach and found an abundance of sea glass as time allowed. During that hike I experienced a great deal of difficulty making my way along the beach because of the rising tide. The the tide was getting higher and higher and I was forced to go up on the rocks at the base of the bluff. After making it out to the beach below McCurdy Point I began finding fragments of glass immediately before the point and southward after it. The beach area called "Glass Beach" actually begins at McCurdy Point and spreads southwesterly. I had heard from many locals that the primary concern when taking a hike out to Glass Beach and McCurdy Point was the TIDES! The higher tides tend to cover the beach and make it very difficult to hike out to the point if you haven't done your homework! (See my video uploaded from Youtube about "Hiking out to Glass Beach, Port Townsend, WA- tips and tide concerns for the sea glass hunter.")
So, I decided I needed to do a little more exploratory work on North Beach to determine the best times and best tide levels to make the three mile hike. The high tide a few weeks ago was 8.8 feet which made hiking the beach very difficult. 
On Monday I deliberately set out on North Beach just before low tide in order to explore the exposed gravel beds, hunt for agates and sea glass and to determine what tides would work best for a trek out to Glass Beach. There are several places along the beach with obstacles that pose difficulty whenever the tides are higher. These obstacles actually protrude out onto the beach and as the rising tides come in the exposed beach becomes pinched off. These obstacles were observed at six feet "high tide" levels to determine whether they posed difficulty at that level. Most hikers who are determined to go out to Glass Beach beyond McCurdy Point must make that trek when tides are at least less than seven feet. When the tide rises higher than seven feet a hiker will be forced up onto the rocks or sandy bluff. The following map illustrates my route this week that brought me only 1.5 miles west on the beach from the North Beach parking lot. Several of the obstacles were passed and measured for tide levels at those points.  

The video below provides helpful tips and tidal information for a successful hiker to enjoy a trip out on North Beach and out to Glass Beach at McCurdy Point. I've also provided a collection of photos that illustrate the comparative levels of high tides at various locations along the North Beach route out to Glass Beach. These tide levels will aid the hiker in making wise decisions as you make your way along North Beach and possibly out to the Glass Beach area. Begin your hike as the tide is going out and below the 6 foot level. This will enable you to make a quick journey up the beach and not be forced into slow going as you climb over the larger rocks along the bluff. 

The picture below illustrates the typical rock bed along North Beach that holds many pieces of sea glass. A little concentrated digging throughout a bed like this would yield small and medium sized sea glass pebbles. It may be time consuming but will yield a handful of tiny treasures. ​

The gallery of sea glass pictures illustrated below is the result of a few hours of rock bed picking along North Beach. The sea glass pieces here were smaller than those found out on Glass Beach at McCurdy Point but they were still quite diverse in color and size. I was able to fill a small mason jar with the sea glass treasures. 

Glass Beach is one of the best beaches to find jewelry quality beach glass in the Pacific North West. I'm sure you can find great quality beach glass in various locations but not concentrated into an area such as Glass Beach in Port Townsend. Beach Glass or "sea glass" of jewelry quality is produced where adequate surf tumbling has occurred (see our page on Sea Glass). Glass Beach is located just beyond McCurdy Point and extending south below the elevated bluff.  You will find the exposure to surf at the point to be a prime producer of high quality beach glass. 

Historical: In the past, McCurdy Point was a remote bluff located several miles west of Port Townsend and a great place to dump trash before modern environmental concerns and local real estate development prohibited the dumping. McCurdy Point is a 100 foot bluff that extends south and east with elevated headlands. The North Beach headlands that extend east from McCurdy Point toward Point Wilson Lighthouse offer a four mile stretch of beach for beach combing where agates, driftwood, colorful rocks and sea glass might be found. North Beach is considered to be Port Townsend's main beach. 

Access: There are two ways to get to Glass Beach. One might access the beach from the Marina Drive parking lot at Cape George and walk 3.2 miles northeasterly to Glass Beach at McCurdy Point. My choice is to park at the North Beach parking lot on Kuhn St. in Port Townsend and walk the 2.7 miles west to McCurdy Point. Believe me, you will have actually walked 3.5 to 4 miles by the time you have reached McCurdy point because of the tendency to beachcomb along the way.  The three mile hike to McCurdy Point west is not for the faint of heart and offers a certain level of sacrifice to those committed to finding great beach glass. 

Warning! The tides will challenge you if you haven't done your homework. Attempting to move westerly up North Beach at high tide is not recommended. The beach above +8 foot high tide becomes obscured with waves and the hiker will be forced to climb over fallen cliff rocks and retreat upwards toward the high bank that in places holds game trails. This is not recommended! ​Only attempt to hike out on North Beach toward McCurdy point when the tides are below 6 feet and falling. This is very important especially if you are accompanying children! Please watch the video to the right providing information about the "Hike out to Glass Beach."

Directions: Drive to North Beach parking lot, 5880 Kuhn St. in Port Townsend, WA. Walk west on North Beach for 2.7 miles to McCurdy Point. After rounding the point you will be on Glass Beach. There is a 100 foot high bluff and access to Glass Beach is made only by walking the full 2.7 miles from the North Beach parking lot or 3.2 miles from Cape George marina. ​

​Rocks: Rockhounds may find various rocks along North Beach as they hike out to McCurdy Point. There are large gravel beds filled with granite, basalt, quartz and jasper of various colors. It is always my focus to look for colorful quartz with a high level of opacity that allows light to pass through. I am also looking for orbicular jasper that is peculiar to the Pacific Northwest. As always on each beach, my radar is also focused on agates! Walking back from my last hike out to Glass Beach I was really dragging. Then as I crossed a gravel bed I noticed gleaming up at me a nice medium sized carnelian agate. It's always a thrill to pick up a carnelian. Even though it was the only agate I picked up that day since my radar was primarily on sea glass.

Beach Glass: Glass Beach is loaded with beach glass and the hunter can load up a bag within an hour. As the hiker rounds McCurdy Point you will notice two old car axels illustrating the remains of the old dump as the point was known decades ago. This marker is the beginning of Glass Beach!

After you have rounded the point you will notice concentrated gravel beds up close to the bluff. You will find many glass pieces here and beyond. Search the gravel beds and with almost every scoop you will pull out glass fragments. Every few yards there are concentrated gravel beds sculpted by the waves and loaded with glass. 

You will find many clear and brown glass fragments in abundance. The real hunt is for diverse colors such as greens, blues and various others shades. The cobalt blues and reds are very rare and a significant find. Have a great time. (see our page "Sea Glass" for information about sea glass, types, quality, grading and art- it's still under construction)

Porcelain: Scattered in among the rocks and glass fragments you will also find porcelain or pottery shards. These are usually quite thick and were artifacts from vintage dinnerware or other home accessories. 

Stay Focused: You will notice once you've arrived at the spot that you will become lost in the hunt that captures prizes every few seconds! Don't forget to watch the waves, the time and the tide! Several bottles of water would also be suggested since the hike is taxing and you will possibly suffer from dehydration and leg cramps on the ride home if you don't drink enough. (learned experience)
Note- next time I'm taking a garden hand rake to dig into the gravel beds. 

Murdock Beach aka. "fossil beach" or "round rock beach" is a DNR maintained beach 9.2 miles beyond the Camp Hayden Rd. turn right off on hwy 112.   
They require a discovery pass for day use of the park. It is a short walk down to the beach from the parking area which includes a bathroom facility and information kiosk. The beach is known for it’s plenteous round rocks and wide variety of fossilized round rocks. These variably sized round formations are called "concretions" by geologists and have formed around plant life or various objects over the ages. You will notice many of these concretions protruding out of the exposed bank as you make your way west on the beach. Agatized fossils may also be found here. Craig Thomas found the agatized clam fossil illustrated below on 1.12.16. The beach is almost covered at high tide and should be most enjoyed at lowered tides when more of the beach is exposed. 

The youtube video below provides directions to Murdock Beach and hunting tips for agates, fossils and agatized fossil sea shells that can be found in the gravel beds on Murdock Beach. 

Rocks: If tides are right, you will find a wide expansive beach with many round rocks. The beach immediately off the trail and to the east offers more gravel beds where rocks and agates may be found. Most of the rocks are granite, basalt, quartz and jasper related. There are also a few specimens of orbicular jasper. If you sift through the gravels smaller agates along with agatized sea shells may be found. The round concretion fossils are quite diverse and amazing in their formations. ​

Sea Glass: the sea glass found here is not plenteous and mostly at a lower craft grade quality. ​