There’s something about standing at the edge of the continent that changes your perspective—like you’ve stepped outside the pace of everyday life. Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States, is where the Pacific Ocean meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca in a swirl of light, water, and wind. It’s a place that feels both wild and grounding, offering a view you won’t soon forget.
My daughter and her roommate were home for summer break, so we set off for a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula. We started early, winding along the coast, stopping at the “Tree of Life,” wandering the deep green hush of the Hoh Rain Forest, pausing at Ruby Beach with its sea stacks and driftwood-strewn shore, and making a lighthearted stop in Forks for the Twilight and Sasquatch gift shops.
By evening, we reached Neah Bay, home of the Makah. After picking up a Makah Tribal Recreation Permit—required for visiting Cape Flattery—we grabbed burgers from a food truck. We ate them on Hobuck Beach, waves breaking softly at our feet. From there, we drove to the trailhead.
The 25-minute walk through the forest opened suddenly to a rugged coastline. Photographers were already in place, tripods anchored near the cliffs. I found my own spot on the edge of a sheer drop, the Pacific stretching endlessly before me. The air was warm, the sky perfectly clear—a rare, windless night.
As twilight deepened, the moon rose, casting a silver path across the water. My daughter asked if we could stay until the stars came out. Living in Brussels, she hadn’t seen a truly dark sky in years. So we waited.
Hours later, the moon set and the Milky Way swept into view. I didn’t have the right lens to photograph it as I had envisioned, but that hardly mattered. Some moments are meant to be experienced first, captured second—a philosophy I’ve carried throughout my photography journey.
The three photographs here were all taken from the same spot, each showing a different stage of the evening:
Evening light: The warm glow of the sun brushing the coastal bluffs.
Starlight: The moon slipping below the horizon as the night opened to the stars.
Moonlight: Gentle illumination softening the sea and sky.
Commonly Asked Questions
A. Cape Flattery sits at the northwestern tip of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, within the Makah Reservation.
A. Yes. All visitors must have a Makah Tribal Recreation Permit, available at various locations in Neah Bay.
A. The trail is about 1.5 miles round trip, with boardwalks and stairs leading to several viewing platforms over the cliffs.
A. Its dramatic sea cliffs, offshore sea stacks, and shifting light make it ideal for capturing everything from golden hour to the first appearance of the stars.
A. Yes. Each print is professionally produced in the USA, made to order, and available in my online gallery.
Further Explorations:
Seal Rock, Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
Winter, Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center, Olympic National Park, Washington
