Difference between revisions of "Short Beach Hike"
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | Once upon a time, there was a slick, dangerous, steep path down to this secluded beach between Cape Meares and Maxwell Point. Then a local altruist took it into his head to spend countless hours creating a staircase down to [[Short Beach]]. Over the years, various appropriately coastal decorations were added. Unfortunately, the trail became a little better known and has been vandalized on occasion. As an aside, visitors should note, the beach was probably named for a long-gone local resident and not for its length. | + | Once upon a time, there was a slick, dangerous, steep path down to this secluded beach between Cape Meares and [[Maxwell Point]]. Then a local altruist took it into his head to spend countless hours creating a staircase down to [[Short Beach]]. Over the years, various appropriately coastal decorations were added. Unfortunately, the trail became a little better known and has been vandalized on occasion. As an aside, visitors should note, the beach was probably named for a long-gone local resident and not for its length. |
The trail, maintained by locals, heads down past an Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge sign. This used to be a treacherous, slippery plunge. Now it is nicely stepped with railings and exhibits all manner of quirky detritus brought up from the beach. The steps head down through a thicket of stunted spruce and shore pine, which were planted on the formerly open bluff. The path splits. Going left, one comes out above a spillway which pours Short Creek down onto the beach. Short Creek is dammed behind the highway. The trail continues down through a little covered section which contains an ensemble of donations from beachcombers. | The trail, maintained by locals, heads down past an Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge sign. This used to be a treacherous, slippery plunge. Now it is nicely stepped with railings and exhibits all manner of quirky detritus brought up from the beach. The steps head down through a thicket of stunted spruce and shore pine, which were planted on the formerly open bluff. The path splits. Going left, one comes out above a spillway which pours Short Creek down onto the beach. Short Creek is dammed behind the highway. The trail continues down through a little covered section which contains an ensemble of donations from beachcombers. | ||
| − | Reach cobbled 1,000-yard [[Short Beach]], and go right to cross Short Creek. There may be quite a few people down here, some of them looking below the high tide mark for the agates, jasper and zeolites for which the beach is well-known. There are also many mussel shells | + | Reach cobbled 1,000-yard [[Short Beach]], and go right to cross Short Creek. There may be quite a few people down here, some of them looking below the high tide mark for the agates, jasper and zeolites for which the beach is well-known. There are also many mussel shells. The mussel beds here are prime harvesting grounds at low tide. The stack on the beach, part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, becomes an island at high tide. The beach is rather narrow and slopes steeply to the surf. Gated steps from one clifftop house lead down. Cape Meares lies ahead. You'll reach Larsen Creek below its two-tier waterfall and cross it. The beach continues a little way farther until it arrives at a wave-cut platform. At low tide, continue on a narrow, rocky strand to the sheer cliffs of Cape Meares. On your way back, look south to [[Maxwell Point]] and try to spot paragliders circling high up. |
Revision as of 04:00, 31 May 2022
- Start point: Short Beach Trailhead
- End point: Short Beach
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 1.4 miles round trip
- High point: 95 feet
- Elevation gain: 95 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Sometimes
Contents |
Hike Description
Once upon a time, there was a slick, dangerous, steep path down to this secluded beach between Cape Meares and Maxwell Point. Then a local altruist took it into his head to spend countless hours creating a staircase down to Short Beach. Over the years, various appropriately coastal decorations were added. Unfortunately, the trail became a little better known and has been vandalized on occasion. As an aside, visitors should note, the beach was probably named for a long-gone local resident and not for its length.
The trail, maintained by locals, heads down past an Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge sign. This used to be a treacherous, slippery plunge. Now it is nicely stepped with railings and exhibits all manner of quirky detritus brought up from the beach. The steps head down through a thicket of stunted spruce and shore pine, which were planted on the formerly open bluff. The path splits. Going left, one comes out above a spillway which pours Short Creek down onto the beach. Short Creek is dammed behind the highway. The trail continues down through a little covered section which contains an ensemble of donations from beachcombers.
Reach cobbled 1,000-yard Short Beach, and go right to cross Short Creek. There may be quite a few people down here, some of them looking below the high tide mark for the agates, jasper and zeolites for which the beach is well-known. There are also many mussel shells. The mussel beds here are prime harvesting grounds at low tide. The stack on the beach, part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, becomes an island at high tide. The beach is rather narrow and slopes steeply to the surf. Gated steps from one clifftop house lead down. Cape Meares lies ahead. You'll reach Larsen Creek below its two-tier waterfall and cross it. The beach continues a little way farther until it arrives at a wave-cut platform. At low tide, continue on a narrow, rocky strand to the sheer cliffs of Cape Meares. On your way back, look south to Maxwell Point and try to spot paragliders circling high up.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- Keep to the trail and the beach; respect private property
- Don't climb the sea stack; it is part of a wildlife refuge not open to the public
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Short Beach Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Short Beach Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Oregon Beaches: A Traveler's Companion by John Shewey
- Oregon's Best Coastal Beaches by Dick Trout
More Links
- "This stunning hidden beach in Oregon is the perfect weekend getaway" (That Oregon Life)
- Short Beach on N. Oregon Coast Has Tales to Tell: Historical Oceanside Fun Facts (Beach Connection)
- Hike along Short Beach, Oregon (The Outbound Collective)
- Short Beach (Outdoor Project)
- "Seeking out secret beaches at Oceanside" (OregonLive)
- Oregon Coast Virtual Tour: Short Beach Near Oceanside, Three Capes Tour (Beach Connection)
- Short Beach (Oregon) (Wikipedia)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)