Tokeland's History
Tokeland is a charming little town located in Pacific County, Washington, nestled on the west side of Willapa Bay. Archaeologists believe that the area has been populated by native tribes for thousands of years, long before the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century. Tokeland’s first mention was recorded by Captain Robert Gray in his journals, who sailed into the bay in 1792 and named it after the Willapa tribe, who were the original inhabitants of the area.
The actual settlement of Tokeland began in the late 1800s when a wharf and sawmill were established. The community grew rapidly, attracting loggers, fishermen, and other laborers who were allured by the area’s abundant natural resources. In the early 20th century, Tokeland became a popular tourist spot, with visitors coming from all over the region to enjoy its beaches, fishing, and hunting.
Nowadays, Tokeland is a tranquil, scenic village home to approximately 150 people, many of whom work in the fishing industry. The town is known for its long history, natural beauty, and laid-back lifestyle.
Wash-away Beach
Have you ever heard of Wash Away Beach? It’s a stunning location on the southern coast of Washington State, close to Grayland. The beach is famous for its dramatic erosion, which has caused it to recede by up to 100 feet per year in certain areas. This makes it a popular destination for people who are interested in studying coastal erosion and the impact of climate change on the environment.
The erosion at Wash Away Beach is caused by a combination of factors, including rising sea levels, increased storm activity, and the gradual sinking of the land. The beach is situated on a narrow strip of sand between the ocean and a series of tidal channels, which makes it particularly vulnerable to erosion. Over time, the relentless pounding of the waves has caused the beach to shrink and the nearby cliffs to crumble, resulting in a constantly changing landscape that is both beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Support
Our mission is a labor of love, but it does come with overhead. If you’d like to support our efforts we’d certainly appreciate it. Currently, we’re actively participating in the following field research:
- COASST Beached Bird Surveys
- Wild and Scenic River Project
Thank you.
We took advantage of the weather and spent the day at a makeshift camp listening to the gentle sound of the waves near Tokeland
Affiliates
Latest Instagram
This set of pillars made from columnar basalt at the terminus of Frenchman Coulee is popular among rock climbers. Read more about this in the link in bio.
We started our hike to the Frenchman Coulee Waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge early in the morning to beat the heat. However, when we reached the bottom of the waterfall, it was already scorching hot. Follow the link in the bio to read more.
Stormy weather over Fort Worden.
Point Wilson Lighthouse at night. This is a hand held shot with the new iPhone. Hard to believe where tech has taken us.
Large waves from the evening storm crashed against the rocks at the base of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
Spending the weekend on the Washington coast near the mouth of the Columbia River. Last night it poured in camp, but this morning the sun broke throught for a bit. Make everything seem a bit warmer.
A road less traveled through the Northern Cascades during the fall season.
Sunset over a lonely section of coastline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Enjoying the quiet and solitude of an evening camp on Whidbey Island.
A view of Baker River just south of Baker Dam. We arrived midweek and had the place to ourselves despite enduring some showers.
Theresa clings to her cap atop Goats Rock on the SW side of Deception Pass, admiring the view of Puget Sound after a steep climb.
This group of Common Rustgill were at our campsite on the Sagkit River. This is a great time to go out and brush up on your fungi identification skills.
Nature's masterpiece painted across the canvas of the sky, as fiery hues intertwine with the tranquil waters of Deception Pass. Last night's sunset at North Beach left me in awe of the world's endless wonders.
That time of the year to pull out the mycology reference books. Spending a week exploring the forests of the North Cascades. #MycologyMagic #ForestAdventures
Deception Pass State Park is our starting point for a 7 day camping trip through the North Cascades.
A view from last summers trip to Frenchman’s Coulee along the Columbia River Gorge. Missing the warm dry temperatures.
A Day of Relaxing
We took advantage of the weather and spent the day at a makeshift camp listening to the gentle sound of the waves was so soothing, and the sun was warm but not too hot. Our base was empty of people and quite a comfortable spot to sit and observe the birds flying around. Seagulls, pelicans, and some sandpipers were running along the shoreline. I felt so at peace just watching them go about their business. As the day went on, I took breaks to walk along the beach and enjoy the beautiful scenery. It was a wonderful day, and I can’t wait to do it again
