Cape Flattery Light Station

Cape Flattery is the most northwest point of the continental United States. It's a desolate and rigorous location and guards the southern entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Swirling, strong currents live here. The lofty mountains of Washington's Olympic Peninsula block storm clouds arriving from the northwest, causing the area to experience the heaviest rainfall in the country: 100 inches a year. The warm Japanese Current sweeps by Cape Flattery and the on-shore breezes create heavy walls of fog during much of the year. This rugged coastline, with heavy ocean currents arriving from the northwest, has snagged a large proportion of ships, which have come to grief along our west coast over the years.