Ozette is the name of a tribal folk that inhabited the Northwest during the time of Christ.
A storm and serendipity unveiled one of the richest archeological sites in North America. In the mid 1960s archeologists from Washington State University began excavating 12-foot thick deposits on the sheltered side of Cape Alava. Bone, shell and stone artifacts told of a sea mammal hunting culture dating back at least 2000 years. In 1970 a storm surge battered the upper beach and began to erode the bank. Hidden in the clay banks was the story of Ozette life, told by thousands of perfectly preserved artifacts.
Teams of archeologists and students excavated 300-year old longhouses which had been buried by massive mudslides. Three of five longhouses were fully unearthed and over 50,000 artifacts recovered, many not represented in museum collections. They revealed the details of everyday life in a stable, highly organized hunting and gathering society.
The discovery of many whale and seal hunting artifacts illuminated the villagers' dependence on the sea. The village lay close to migratory routes of whales, fur seals, and other sea mammals. Offshore reefs and islands offered protection from the pounding surf, and provided easy passage for canoes.
The site has been filled and revegetated, but a tribal plaque is displayed on a small replica longhouse. You can see many of the artifacts and learn about the culture at the Makah Museum in Neah Bay.
Olympic National Park offers over 60 miles of the some of the most primitive natural coastline in the 48 contiguous United States. The views of ocean, cliffs, headlands, islands and seastacks, coupled with the dramatic changing sea, provide a unique wilderness experience. Most of the coast can only be accessed by foot.
A Wilderness Camping Permit is required for all overnight hikes year round. Obtain your permit at the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) in Port Angeles, the Forks Recreation and Information Center or the Quinault WIC at the South Shore Lake Quinault Ranger Station.
The Ozette Boardwalk offers great hiking/trekking.
Description
Ecosystem type: Coastal Forest and Ocean Beach
Trail tread types: Well maintained - Boardwalk
General elevation trend: Flat with steep overland trails
River crossings: None
Unique features: Boardwalks to the coast, wilderness coast, petroglyphs, bald eagle viewing.
Level of difficulty: Easy
Distance: 9.0 miles
Elevation change: Sea level to 100 ft.
Best Season: Year round
When traveling on the boardwalk, which can be extremely slick, it is important to take your time and walk carefully. Soft-soled shoes, such as tennis shoes or lightweight hikers, grip the boardwalk better than stiff hiking boots with lug soles.
Lake Ozette Area Map
Source; NPS
Researchers; Stu and Corie Marks
Stu Marks
Editor-in-Chief, Adventure-Space.com
Travel Editor, Adventure-Zone
Field Producer - Team Two