Harts Cove Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Hart's Cove Trailhead
- End point: Hart's Cove Overlook
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and back
- Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 1000 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Year round
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
The Hart's Cove Trail starts out by switchbacking downhill through a young coastal forest. Railroad tie steps here help make footing better. Very little light reaches the forest floor and undergrowth is sparse. Evidence of logging is plentiful with very large stumps common. After about half a mile, you'll cross Cliff Creek Bridge. The creek seems to mark the boundary between the second growth forest and the old growth. Some of these trees are over 250 years old. After a while, you'll come out onto a point with your first view of Hart's Cove.
The trail turns eastward and enters the drainage of Chitwood Creek. You'll pass under a particularly threatening looking blowdown that didn't quite reach the ground. As interesting as the trees, standing and fallen, are, the real highlight of this hike is the open meadow that comes next. This entire area is closed in the spring, but flowers bloom here well into August. Look for lupine and violets mixed in with other plant life. The trail circles back to the south a bit and offers a beautiful view of Hart's Cove, including a waterfall as Chitwood Creek cascades into the Pacific.
Most of us will probably be content with the meadow and the views, but there is a steep, rugged trail to a spot near the water. Fish come close to the shore here in late fall, so at that time you will probably see a few fishing boats supported by flocks of gulls and rafts of sea lions. Harbor seals can often be seen in the Cove.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- No fees
- Trail closed Jan 1 - Jul 15 (these dates sometimes change, be sure to check)
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Hart's Cove
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Hart's Cove
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Hiking Waterfalls in Oregon by Adam Sawyer
- 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Portland by Paul Gerald
- 120 Hikes on the Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson
- Hiking Oregon by Donna Lynn Ikenberry
- Trips & Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Siuslaw Forest Hikes by Irene Lilja & Dick Lilja
More Links
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)
- bobcat