A couple friends and I hiked 8 hours down the Juan De Fuca trail from Botanical Beach to Sombrio Beach (a total of 20 km) where we camped overnight before finding a ride back to the car in the morning. Having never done an overnight long distance hike before I wasn’t sure what to expect but it’s safe to say I plan on doing something like this again very soon. Despite the slips, scrapes and falls, I feel like I came out of this experience more whole than when I went in. 

A winding mountain road leads through dense evergreen forest under blue skies.
Evergreen trees grow on a rocky slope against a bright blue sky.
A scenic forest road winds through tall evergreen trees and rocky terrain.
Two travelers standing by a car near a forested hillside on a sunny day.
Winding road through misty mountain landscape with bare trees and evergreen forest.
Trail marker sign points to Juan de Fuca Trail in evergreen forest.
Silhouette of a hiker with large backpack against coastal landscape.
Rocky coastal shoreline with driftwood and tide pools stretching into a misty ocean bay.
Hiker on forest trail surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery.
Forest hiking trail with wooden steps winding through tall evergreen trees.
Sunlight filtering through tall forest trees creating atmospheric woodland scene.
Rocky beach landscape with driftwood and evergreen trees against cloudy sky.
Narrow hiking trail winding through towering forest of birch and evergreen trees.
Wooden boardwalk trail meandering through mossy coastal forest.
Tall evergreen tree leans towards a misty ocean view through coastal forest branches.
Wooden boardwalk trail winds through dense coastal forest towards a misty ocean view.
Hiker stands on rocky coastal outcrop overlooking calm ocean waters with hiking gear and poles.
Silhouettes of tall evergreen trees frame a distant ocean view through coastal forest.
Hiker navigates woodland trail through lush coastal forest with hiking poles.
Towering evergreen trees create natural cathedral in Pacific Northwest forest.
Hiker with orange backpack navigates steep forest trail along coastal path.
Rocky coastline viewed through natural window of evergreen tree branches.
Pacific Northwest coastline with rocky shore and evergreen trees framing ocean view.
Majestic old growth forest with tall evergreen trees reaching skyward through green understory.
Ocean waves crash against rocky shores viewed through a frame of tall evergreen trees on a misty coastline.
Wooden boardwalk trail winds through tall cedar trees and lush green undergrowth in a Pacific Northwest forest.
A hiker with a backpack stands on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by lush coastal forest vegetation.
A hiker descends a forested trail overlooking a dramatic rocky coastline.
Mossy fallen logs and dense vegetation cover the forest floor between towering evergreen trees.
Close-up of a hand pointing at something small on dark forest ground.
Rustic wooden footbridge spans across a small stream in a dense evergreen forest.
A hiker navigates across moss-covered rocks in a clear forest stream.
Someone leans down to examine rushing water flowing between mossy rocks in a forest stream.
A hiker stands on rocks in the middle of a forest stream making hand gestures.
Hikers traverse a narrow wooden bridge over a creek in a lush forest while carrying backpacks.
Wooden boardwalk trail winds through towering redwood trees in a misty Pacific Northwest forest.
Hiker with backpack stands at coastal viewpoint overlooking rocky Pacific shore.
Dramatic black rocky coastline meets choppy ocean waters under an overcast sky.
Lone hiker stands on volcanic rock formations along misty Pacific Northwest coastline.
Hikers pose on rocky coastal terrain along the Pacific Northwest shoreline.
Hiker with blue backpack walks through dense forest of bare pine trees on dirt trail.
Hiker looks up at tall trees while carrying backpack on forest trail.
Muddy hiking boots and backpack rest on forest ground after rugged trail hike.
Muddy hiking boots covered in dirt and debris on forest ground during a wet outdoor adventure.
Hiker traversing a coastal trail through lush green vegetation with ocean views.
Backpacker carrying multiple black and orange bags through a pine forest.
Hiker with large backpack climbing steep coastal terrain.
Dramatic rocky coastline with turquoise waters and evergreen trees framing the view.
Long suspension bridge stretching through evergreen forest with hiker crossing.
Hiker standing centered on a long suspension bridge surrounded by tall evergreen trees.
Ocean view framed by tall evergreen trees creating a natural window to the sea.
Moody coastal landscape with rocky beach and scattered boulders under overcast sky.
Colorful buoys hanging from tree branch over rocky beach at ocean's edge.
Rocky Pacific Northwest coastline with evergreen trees and scattered boulders along a misty shore at sunset.
Moody seascape with waves crashing against rocky tide pools under overcast skies.
Rugged coastal trail along rocky beach with evergreen forest and cloudy skies at dusk.
Dramatic coastal landscape with smooth rocks and tide pools reflecting golden sunset light.
Hiker exploring rocky shoreline trail beneath towering evergreen forest at sunset.
Misty ocean waves breaking over dark rocks with cloudy horizon in the distance.
Rugged Pacific coastline with dark volcanic rocks and evergreen forest silhouetted against cloudy sky.
Rocky beach with scattered boulders and evergreen forest leading to misty coastal headland.
Smooth stones line the beach as golden sunset light filters through cloudy skies over the ocean.
Sunlight breaking through clouds over rocky beach with waves rolling onto shore.
Rocky beach at sunset with silhouettes of people standing in shallow water near the coastline.
Tall evergreen trees line a rocky beach with fallen driftwood logs near calm water.
Driftwood on rocky beach with kayaks and evergreen trees in the misty background.
Hiker crossing a suspension bridge through lush green forest.
Misty coastal landscape with black sand beach and scattered rocks in the ocean.
Dark volcanic beach with rocky outcrops jutting from the ocean under cloudy skies.
Moody coastal scene with black rocks scattered along a misty beach at dusk.
Person preparing hot drink by campfire at night with steam rising from pot.
View from inside a tent overlooking a driftwood-strewn beach with dense forest in the background.