On Foot Scampering Over Tree Roots
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5. Netarts/Happy Camp Beaches Safety & Etiquette Netarts has two good beach access points, 7-9 Cape Lookout • Pack it in, pack it out. Cape to Cape with restrooms at both. Just north of the These hikes are longer and more • Keep dogs on leash. village of Netarts, take Happy Camp Road ! strenuous than the other hikes in this • Watch children closely. west down the hill. At the end of the road you guide. Be prepared for muddy sections and • Do not climb cliffs or walk out will find a gravel parking lot near the mouth on Foot scampering over tree roots. Wear good onto rock faces. of Netarts Bay. From the parking lot, you can shoes, carry water, and plan for unpredictable Netarts Area Trails and Beach Walks • Be prepared for sudden walk to the south along the bay or to the changes in weather. Cape Lookout can be weather changes. from Cape Meares to Cape Lookout north with great views of Three Arch Rocks. very windy or become shrouded in fog quickly. This area has strong tidal currents and is • Watch for sneaker waves. unsafe for swimming. Jim Young In Netarts, turn west off the main highway 7. North Trail at Netarts Bay Drive. You will immediately Jim Young see Netarts Bay and the County Boat Ramp North Trail crosses the cape and follows the parking lot. From the lot, walk west about coastline north 2.3 miles (4.6 miles round-trip) 100 yards to the bay beach. A day-use through the shaded forest and down to the parking fee is required. park day-use area. 8. Cape Trail Tidepool Etiquette Cape Trail, 4.8 miles round-trip, passes • Touch gently. Tidepool animals are through a coastal forest of old spruce and easily damaged. hemlock trees to spectacular views of the • Check regulations. Many tidepool animals ocean, Cape Kiwanda to the south, and are protected by law. Cape Meares to the north. The trail follows a • Watch your step. Take care not to step steep cliffside with no rails. Look for marine on any creatures. birds and mammals, including migrating gray whales, at viewpoints throughout the trail. Tsunami Safety Jim Young 9. South Trail Beware of tsunami evacuation signs. If you feel an earthquake, see the seawater suddenly 6. Cape Lookout State Park/Netarts Spit South Trail meanders 1.8 miles (3.6 miles recede from the shoreline, head inland and round-trip) along the south side of the cape From Cape Lookout to the end of Netarts uphill quickly. Even on headlands, immediately and connects down to the beach and a large Spit lies a beach walker’s paradise- seven go inland in case of landslides. unbroken miles of sandy beach. Start at the rocky tidepool area. day-use area of Cape Lookout State Park. A day-use parking fee is required. 10. Bayocean Spit Turn right onto a long gravel road at the base Access across the dunes from the campground is limited to marked trails due of Bayocean Spit. A 7.8 mile loop takes you to ongoing erosion and dune restoration. around the entire peninsula, from the ocean Pick up a park brochure to enjoy a short loop beach to an old road along Tillamook Bay. For with educational information located between shorter hikes, use one of the many trails that Netartsbaytoday.org the day-use area and campground. cut across the dune forest between the ocean and the bay. Salty Dog Fund 1. Cape Meares Netarts Area Trails and Beach Walks The lighthouse parking lot at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is a great place to 1. Cape Meares* begin a walking tour of the area. To the west, two short paved trails lead to the Lighthouse 2. Short Beach (open late spring to early fall) with views of closed road offshore rocks and seasonal seabird nesting 3. Tunnel Beach sites, sea lions, and gray whales. To the east, follow a wide path up to the Octopus Tree, 4. Oceanside Beaches* a Sitka spruce with a 50-foot base and large Jim Young branches that give it its name. East past the 5. Netarts/Happy Camp Octopus Tree hike 0.4 miles (0.8 miles round- Cape Meares Lighthouse Beaches* trip) through a shaded forest with old growth trees. 2. Short Beach Cape Lookout State 6. Look for a fence on the east side of the Park/Netarts Spit Another trailhead is at the parking lot outside the park entrance gate. To the left follow a highway and a sign at the trailhead on the short spur trail to view the largest Sitka Spruce left. Parking is limited. The trail to the beach Cape Trailhead in Oregon. To the right (north), the 1.6 mile is short but steep, watch your step. All rocky 7. North Trail* round-trip trail is difficult as it passes through islands along the Oregon Coast are part of 8. Cape Trail a large landslide area and leads to the beach the Refuge and are closed to the public to protect nesting seabirds. Netarts Area 9. South Trail* below at low tide. oregonstateparks.org 10. Bayocean Peninsula Park 3. Tunnel Beach Park at the Oceanside Beach State Recreation * Part of the Oregon Coast Trail Site. Maxwell Point juts out into the surf but a 360-mile walking route along Studio Timberdoodle | brochure design by Elise Wahl Oregon’s coastline a long tunnel through Maxwell Point allows Pacific access during low tide to this secluded beach. During some very low tides it may be Ocean Legend possible to walk around Maxwell Point. Beach access varies with changing tides and Viewpoint Camping beach conditions. During very low tides there are colorful tidepools to explore. Restroom Beach Access 4. 0ceanside Beaches Trailhead/Parking Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site provides a convenient day-use beach area with parking and public restrooms. From here, CAUTION: The Oregon Coast is a you can walk the beach south (left) to Happy dynamic place. Be prepared for changes Camp in Netarts. Walk north (right) along in weather, tides, and trail conditions. the beach for a warm basking spot on a View of Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife windy day. Use caution and be careful. Refuge at Oceanside Beach Jim Young.