Ruby Beach

Sunset at Ruby Beach

Grant Longenbaugh

Quick Facts

Amenities

5 listed

Information, Restroom, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible

A short hike through coastal forest reveals spectacular Ruby Beach. Its dramatic sea stacks and tide pools make Ruby Beach a favorite among the many beautiful beaches of the Olympic Coast.

 

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Full Accessibility Description

Length: Viewing area adjacent to parking area; beach access 735 feet
Surface Type: Compacted gravel
Typical Trail Width: 4-5 feet
Typical Running Slope: Numerous drain dips that create steep cross slopes
Typical Cross Slope: Mostly under 1%, though sections have a significant crown (higher in the middle than on the edges)
Description: Ruby Beach is the northernmost beach access point in the Kalaloch Area. All of the beach access trails at Kalaloch descend from the top of the bluff to the beach. They are generally steep and constructed to weather the 8.5 feet of annual rainfall. Winter ocean swells typically rearrange the beach logs at each location, so conditions at the point where the trail reaches the beach are constantly subject to change.

The Ruby Beach parking area is a sloped gravel lot with two vault toilets in the center. There is an accessible viewing area overlooking the ocean on the north end of the parking area, with a lower section of rail for wheelchair users on the left-hand side. Vegetation may obscure the view at sitting height.

The Ruby Beach trail is the only beach access wide enough for a wheelchair to reach the beach. Be advised that the trail is steep, has multiple drain dips and there is a drain across the trail at the halfway point that is 3-6 inches deep. The trail starts on the west side of the overlook and runs approximately 300 feet downhill at 10-20% to the first switchback, which is wide and has a trailside bench. There are 3 drain dips in the top of this section placed 50 feet apart. Continuing downhill at grades of 8-16%, there is an angled drain dip 50 feet below the switchback that forms steep cross slopes, and a wood cross drain at 365 feet that creates a 12-inch wide, 3-6-inch drop. The grade remains steep at 7-16% until 510 feet, where it drops below 5% for the remainder of the trail. There is a spur access to the beach at 575 feet. At 675 feet, the trail narrows to 3 feet before ending at the beach at 735 feet.