Termination Point

Date Hiked: 3 February 2024

Distance: 3.44 miles* Is actually 5 miles but the sun set and I had to turn around.

Elevation: 1,525 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Features: Forest trail, beaches, cliffs, unique views of North Sister Mt and Monashka Bay

Description: I hiked Termination Point solo in below freezing temperatures, shortly after a cold snap brought the temperature down to 10°F the night before, freezing everything. Unfortunately, I did not finish the hike. I started too late in the day and had to turn back as it became dark, but I did manage to cover about 85% of the trail. The trail was pretty hilly, but doable in the snowy conditions with spikes. There is a marshy part which was completely frozen over. It was fascinating to look through several inches of ice and see running water and the marsh beneath. I expect that section would be quite muddy in the warm weather.

The highlight of the hike was finding a dead whale! The smell hit me first, then I went exploring on one of the many beaches and found it. What a cool find! I also spent a ton of time enjoying the crisp, cold weather, the snow on the beach, and the independent nature of a solo adventure. I made sure to spend some time doing handstands and headstands on one of the rocky beaches.

The trail has great and unique views of North Sister Mt. and Monashka Bay, many beaches, densely wooded forest, and lots of views from the top of cliffs. This hike could be a great option for a windy day when mountain hikes aren’t safe because it is quite protected by the trees and cliffs it passes through.