Difference between revisions of "Cape Meares Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
(Add category) |
(Add links) |
||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | John Meares was a British explorer and merchant of some controversy who plied the North Pacific in the second half of the 18th century. The promontory honoring his name is part state park and part wildlife refuge (The refuge includes the hike from the beach and the [[Cape Meares Big Spruce|Big Spruce]], while the state park contains the [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]] and the [[Octopus Tree]]). The network of trails affords access to several sites, including the mudstone-backed beach at the little settlement of Cape Meares, some old growth Sitka spruce, the [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]], and vistas to offshore rocks bustling with sealions and seabirds. | + | John Meares was a British explorer and merchant of some controversy who plied the North Pacific in the second half of the 18th century. The promontory honoring his name is part state park and part wildlife refuge (The refuge includes the hike from the beach and the [[Cape Meares Big Spruce|Big Spruce]], while the state park contains the [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]] and the [[Octopus Tree]]). The network of trails affords access to several sites, including the mudstone-backed beach at the little settlement of Cape Meares, some old growth Sitka spruce, the [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]], and vistas to offshore rocks, including the massive [[Three Arch Rocks]], bustling with sealions and seabirds. |
The hike begins on the beach north north of the Cape. It is best begun one hour before the low tide point as the beach gets cut off at high tide. While all of the trails used to be connected, the path connecting the [[Cape Meares Big Spruce|Big Spruce]] with the [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]] was destroyed by windstorms in the mid-1990s; now you need to do a couple of short road walks to complete the hike described below. You can also explore the most popular sights from the large parking lot at the [[Cape Meares Light Trailhead]]. Here are some shorter options: | The hike begins on the beach north north of the Cape. It is best begun one hour before the low tide point as the beach gets cut off at high tide. While all of the trails used to be connected, the path connecting the [[Cape Meares Big Spruce|Big Spruce]] with the [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]] was destroyed by windstorms in the mid-1990s; now you need to do a couple of short road walks to complete the hike described below. You can also explore the most popular sights from the large parking lot at the [[Cape Meares Light Trailhead]]. Here are some shorter options: | ||
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
This trail is graveled and heads up in old growth spruce and hemlock. There has been much blowdown. Salal is the principle understory plant. Then the trail drops to the [[Cape Meares Big Spruce|Big Spruce]], Oregon’s biggest Sitka since the Klootchy Creek Giant fell in 2007. There is a little loop around the tree, which is snapped off at the top. | This trail is graveled and heads up in old growth spruce and hemlock. There has been much blowdown. Salal is the principle understory plant. Then the trail drops to the [[Cape Meares Big Spruce|Big Spruce]], Oregon’s biggest Sitka since the Klootchy Creek Giant fell in 2007. There is a little loop around the tree, which is snapped off at the top. | ||
| − | Back at the [[Big Spruce Trailhead]], which has a map sign, walk the 0.5 miles down the road to the [[Cape Meares Light Trailhead]]. There is a bit of a shoulder on the left side, so head down facing the traffic. The forest is green and dense. On the right side of the parking area there’s a viewing deck. The cliffs across host nesting guillemots and a pair of peregrine falcons in season. There's also a bald eagle nest in the spruce forest. The largest colony of nesting common murres uses the rocks offshore. Take in the vista of cliffs and Pyramid and Pillar Rocks. A paved trail heads down through Sitka spruce and salal. There are two more viewpoints that look north to the cliffs and the rocks. The path switchbacks down to the small [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]], whose Fresnel lens was damaged by vandals in early 2010. The lighthouse is open from April 1st to October 31st. It was built in the 1890s and sits 200 feet above the waves. The telescope here can be used to view the Steller’s sea lions at Three Arch Rocks. This is also a great whale watching site. | + | Back at the [[Big Spruce Trailhead]], which has a map sign, walk the 0.5 miles down the road to the [[Cape Meares Light Trailhead]]. There is a bit of a shoulder on the left side, so head down facing the traffic. The forest is green and dense. On the right side of the parking area there’s a viewing deck. The cliffs across host nesting guillemots and a pair of peregrine falcons in season. There's also a bald eagle nest in the spruce forest. The largest colony of nesting common murres uses the rocks offshore. Take in the vista of cliffs and Pyramid and Pillar Rocks. A paved trail heads down through Sitka spruce and salal. There are two more viewpoints that look north to the cliffs and the rocks. The path switchbacks down to the small [[Cape Meares Lighthouse]], whose Fresnel lens was damaged by vandals in early 2010. The lighthouse is open from April 1st to October 31st. It was built in the 1890s and sits 200 feet above the waves. The telescope here can be used to view the Steller’s sea lions at [[Three Arch Rocks]]. This is also a great whale watching site. |
| − | Take the narrow fenced trail up the south side of the cape. There are views to [[Short Beach]], Maxwell Point, and Three Arch Rocks. The trail passes under a viewing platform next to the parking area. The first trail right leads to a grassy picnic area. The second trail right heads up to restrooms and then to the [[Octopus Tree]]. There’s also a spur here to a viewpoint. The trail continues up behind the [[Octopus Tree]] and then drops down along the high bluffs through Sitka spruce and salal with views of Short Beach. I enter deeper woods. The rooty trail crosses a creek on a footbridge and then rises to give more views of Three Arch Rocks. | + | Take the narrow fenced trail up the south side of the cape. There are views to [[Short Beach]], [[Maxwell Point]], and [[Three Arch Rocks]]. The trail passes under a viewing platform next to the parking area. The first trail right leads to a grassy picnic area. The second trail right heads up to restrooms and then to the [[Octopus Tree]]. There’s also a spur here to a viewpoint. The trail continues up behind the [[Octopus Tree]] and then drops down along the high bluffs through Sitka spruce and salal with views of Short Beach. I enter deeper woods. The rooty trail crosses a creek on a footbridge and then rises to give more views of [[Three Arch Rocks]]. Hike up above a deep ravine. The trail levels and reaches the Three Capes Scenic Road. |
Head up the road on the wide shoulder facing traffic and, in 0.4 miles, reach the [[Big Spruce Trailhead]]. From here, head down to the beach and your car. | Head up the road on the wide shoulder facing traffic and, in 0.4 miles, reach the [[Big Spruce Trailhead]]. From here, head down to the beach and your car. | ||
Revision as of 02:58, 15 April 2015
- Start point: Cape Meares Beach Trailhead
- End point: Cape Meares Lighthouse
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
- High point: 520 feet
- Elevation gain: 885 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: All
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Not between the beach and the Cape Meares Light Trailhead; crowded around the Octopus Tree and the Cape Meares Lighthouse
Contents |
Hike Description
John Meares was a British explorer and merchant of some controversy who plied the North Pacific in the second half of the 18th century. The promontory honoring his name is part state park and part wildlife refuge (The refuge includes the hike from the beach and the Big Spruce, while the state park contains the Cape Meares Lighthouse and the Octopus Tree). The network of trails affords access to several sites, including the mudstone-backed beach at the little settlement of Cape Meares, some old growth Sitka spruce, the Cape Meares Lighthouse, and vistas to offshore rocks, including the massive Three Arch Rocks, bustling with sealions and seabirds.
The hike begins on the beach north north of the Cape. It is best begun one hour before the low tide point as the beach gets cut off at high tide. While all of the trails used to be connected, the path connecting the Big Spruce with the Cape Meares Lighthouse was destroyed by windstorms in the mid-1990s; now you need to do a couple of short road walks to complete the hike described below. You can also explore the most popular sights from the large parking lot at the Cape Meares Light Trailhead. Here are some shorter options:
From the Big Spruce Trailhead to the beach: 2.0 miles, 560' elevation gain.
From the Cape Meares Light Trailhead to the Cape Meares Lighthouse and the Octopus Tree: 1.7 miles, 305' elevation gain.
Start from the beach at low tide. The upper beach is driftwood-strewn. You can look back and admire the sandy expanses up the Bayocean Spit. Get views of Pyramid Rock off the point of Cape Meares. The beach is sandy at first heading south towards Cape Meares, then cobbly, then bouldery, and finally there’s a clamber over slick gray mudstone. This last part is difficult to negotiate at high tide. There are roots and old tree remnants sticking out of the eroded mudstone slope facing the beach. Past the gray mudstone, close to the end of the beach, you can see the arches and caves under the Cape Meares' cliffs. A rope helps you up a slick soft gully.
The trail heads up above a swamp fringed with alder and sword fern into the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge, making seven short switchbacks to a trail junction. A marker shows the trail heading to the left is the high tide route. However, this trail has been buried under a muddy slide several yards farther on. From the junction, go right and make a wide switchback up. There are views of Bayocean Spit, the hills behind Garibaldi, Tillamook Head and Saddle Mountain. The trail drops slightly in a traverse and then switchbacks up in spruce and hemlock forest for more views north. The trail winds up through a salmonberry thicket and switchbacks to pass under a fallen spruce. There are four more switchbacks and then a traverse on a muddy section of trail. There’s another switchback as one heads up in lush forest with sword fern, deer fern, salal, and salmonberry. Reach a junction near the Big Spruce Trailhead, and go right for the Big Spruce.
This trail is graveled and heads up in old growth spruce and hemlock. There has been much blowdown. Salal is the principle understory plant. Then the trail drops to the Big Spruce, Oregon’s biggest Sitka since the Klootchy Creek Giant fell in 2007. There is a little loop around the tree, which is snapped off at the top.
Back at the Big Spruce Trailhead, which has a map sign, walk the 0.5 miles down the road to the Cape Meares Light Trailhead. There is a bit of a shoulder on the left side, so head down facing the traffic. The forest is green and dense. On the right side of the parking area there’s a viewing deck. The cliffs across host nesting guillemots and a pair of peregrine falcons in season. There's also a bald eagle nest in the spruce forest. The largest colony of nesting common murres uses the rocks offshore. Take in the vista of cliffs and Pyramid and Pillar Rocks. A paved trail heads down through Sitka spruce and salal. There are two more viewpoints that look north to the cliffs and the rocks. The path switchbacks down to the small Cape Meares Lighthouse, whose Fresnel lens was damaged by vandals in early 2010. The lighthouse is open from April 1st to October 31st. It was built in the 1890s and sits 200 feet above the waves. The telescope here can be used to view the Steller’s sea lions at Three Arch Rocks. This is also a great whale watching site.
Take the narrow fenced trail up the south side of the cape. There are views to Short Beach, Maxwell Point, and Three Arch Rocks. The trail passes under a viewing platform next to the parking area. The first trail right leads to a grassy picnic area. The second trail right heads up to restrooms and then to the Octopus Tree. There’s also a spur here to a viewpoint. The trail continues up behind the Octopus Tree and then drops down along the high bluffs through Sitka spruce and salal with views of Short Beach. I enter deeper woods. The rooty trail crosses a creek on a footbridge and then rises to give more views of Three Arch Rocks. Hike up above a deep ravine. The trail levels and reaches the Three Capes Scenic Road.
Head up the road on the wide shoulder facing traffic and, in 0.4 miles, reach the Big Spruce Trailhead. From here, head down to the beach and your car.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint (Oregon State Parks)
- Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- none
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Cape Meares
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Cape Meares
- Cape Meares Lighthouse vandalized
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast and Coast Range by William L. Sullivan
- Trips & Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- 120 Hikes on the Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson
- Day Hiking: Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson
- Best Easy Day Hikes: Oregon's North Coast by Lizann Dunegan
- Hiking the Oregon Coast by Lizann Dunegan
- Hiking Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- 50 Hiking Trails: Portland & Northwest Oregon by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 50 Hikes in Oregon by David L. Anderson
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Megan McMorris
- Oregon's Best Coastal Beaches by Dick Trout
- Oregon Coast Hikes by Paul M. Williams
- Oregon Coast Trail: Hiking Inn to Inn by Jack D. Remington
- Fire, Faults, and Floods: A Road & Trail Guide Exploring the Origins of the Columbia River Basin by Marge & Ted Mueller
- Canine Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
- The Dog Lover's Companion to Oregon by Val Mallinson
- Oregon State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide by Jan Bannan
More Links
- Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint (Oregon State Parks)
- Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
- Cape Meares Big Spruce + Beach Trail, OR (Outdoor Project)
- Cape Meares State Park Things to Do (Virtual Tourist)
- Cape Meares Lighthouse & Wildlife Refuge, Inc. (Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse & Wildlife Refuge)
- Cape Meares Lighthouse (Go Tillamook)
- Cape Meares, OR (Lighthouse Friends.com)
- History of Oregon's Shortest Lighthouse And The Legend of The Octopus Tree (Salem-News.com)
- Cape Meares Spruce (Ascending the Giants)
- "Oregon's biggest Sitka spruce lives in Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge" (OregonLive)
- Legend of the Octopus Tree (Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse & Wildlife Refuge)
- John Meares (Wikipedia)
- The John Meares Expeditions (Tacoma Public Library)
- "English fur trader John Meares names Cape Disappointment on July 6, 1788" (HistoryLink)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)