June 19, 2017
Since our recent camping trip was to
Harris Beach State Park, we decided to do a couple of day hikes on the
Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) in the
Samuel Boardman State Park area.
Our first hike began at the
Whalehead Beach Picnic Area which is accessed via a short rough gravel road from Highway 101. We later realized that there is a parking area immediately off the highway that also allows access to the OCT. The picnic area though is a nice place to begin and end the hike as there are tables with an ocean view, lots of beach to enjoy, and a bathroom facility.
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| Oregon Coast Trail |
From the parking area we began hiking the OCT uphill surrounded by high shrubs and crossed the access road. We met and briefly talked with a hiker who had begun hiking the entire OCT a few days earlier and was taking a morning break to make entries in her journal.
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| Tiger Lily |
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| Sticky Monkey |
The OCT headed up through forested hills and made us feel like we were hiking in the Redwoods. Large trees and many ferns lined our path along with some wildflowers like Tiger Lilies and a new wildflower to us, Sticky Monkey as the locals call them. The name alone makes this flower a favorite! We crossed over various small creeks and runoffs, some with waterfalls, and at one point hiked a short segment with a creek right next to the trail. We stayed on the trail but Katie hiked the creek.
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| People trail to the left, Katie trail to the right. |
We finally reached the junction with the trail from the Indian Sand parking area and continuing on the OCT reached
Indian Sands. One moment you are in wooded forests and then suddenly you are out in the open with deep sand. This area was created by the erosion of the sandstone cliffs by wind and rain.
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| One of the original OCT markers |
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| Indian Sands |
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| OCT continuing past Indian Sands |
We continued on past Indian Sands for a short distance to see a couple of beautiful coves and could have continued to the Thomas Creek Bridge, but instead we turned around and came back to Indian Sands for a break and to do some sightseeing. The clouds had been around during our forested hike, but once we arrived at Indian Sands the blue skies appeared and we enjoyed the views of the beautiful Oregon Coast.
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| Sea Fig |
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| Arch rock at south end of Indian Sands (you can hike out on it) |
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| Artwork on the sandstone cliff area |
Our return trip was along the same trail but now views of the coast were enjoyed since the clouds were gone. Once back at Whalehead Beach, we hiked down to get some pictures of Whalehead Rock. We had hoped to hike along the beach area too, but the wind was in full force and hiking while being pelted by sand did not sound appealing.
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| Whalehead rock and beach |
Our entire hike with some roaming at Indian Sands was just under 6 miles. If you park at the Indian Sands parking lot, the hike is only a mile at most. Either way, if you get the chance, be sure to check out this beautiful and unique area of the Oregon Coast.
Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol
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