Ruby Beach

My longtime readers will probably remember some of these pictures that I posted in the spring of 2010, from my trip to Ruby Beach on the Olympic Peninsula.  I had hoped to find beach glass out there but the Pacific Coast doesn't yield much glass at all (but for Glass Beach in CA).  It was totally worth the 4 hour drive though.  

Lots of sea stacks.

 

You cannot swim at this beach and it's not a good idea to turn your back to the ocean either due to the many beach logs that wash on shore.   They will kill you.  

I sat on that log (you can see my jacket and pack) for close to 2 hours, just enjoying the sound of the waves and soaking up the March sun, which was warm but not uncomfortable.

The ocean was really percolating that day.

Ruby Beach is so named because of the teeny bits of crushed rubies that give the sand a cool rose colour.  I didn't see it in the sand here, but I did see the pink sand on the beach down at Kalaloch, where I was staying on this trip.

Here is a photo of the ruby sand taken at Kalaloch so you can see what it looks like.   I did take a bunch of sand with me from both beaches when I left and still have it.  If I ever get a microscope I will try and see if there are any ruby bits!

Ruby Beach

This is a place where I will return. Ruby Beach is amazing. I felt all the stress melt away as I meandered along the shoreline, hunting for pretty stones and breathing in the sweet sea air, ever mindful of the boiling ocean. I miss being near the coast. It's hard for someone raised within 2 miles of the water to live this far inland. Next time I go, I will make sure to pack a towel so that I can wade across the stream that cuts the beach in half. It was only about calf-deep at it's deepest, but I wasn't willing to soak my hiking boots and jeans. I could have taken off my boots and socks, but in the end I decided not to. Not because the water was cold b/c that doesn't bother me, but w/o a towel, I'd never get the sand off my feet and it would be uncomfortable back inside the boots. Next time I will be more prepared, now that I know what the beach is like. There are far less beach logs than at Kalaloch, but more sea stacks. It's called Ruby Beach because there are ground up bits of garnet in the sand. I couldn't really tell in the strong afternoon light, but it does seem to glow red in sunset pics I've seen. The trail to the beach is much easier than Kalaloch too.

I found a perfect nature-made log bench on the beach where I sat for quite awhile, watching the waves. That was the most relaxed I've been in ages and ages. Probably since I went to Victoria in 2007. The breeze was delicious. After a bit, I was getting too hot in the sun, so I walked back to the stream and followed it back a few yards to the shade, and hung out on a beach log there for awhile, staring into the woods. I saw something large and dark in a clearing, and was hoping it was Sasquatch, but a closer look w/ my zoom lens revealed a tree trunk. Oh well.

After I left, I stopped at a great scenic view turn out on the road to shoot some more pics of the coast, and then I stopped at Beach 4 and went to the overlook for more photo ops. I thought about hiking down but it was getting late and I was thirsty and out of Gatorade! Gives me a reason to go back.

Totally Worth It

Full tank of Gas....$30.00

Breakfast at the Rusty Tractor.....$10.00
One night at Kalaloch Lodge....$160
Spending a beautiful day beachcombing on the Washington Coast.....Priceless.
More pics to follow.....