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Oregon Coast Trail: Gearhart to Ecola State Park (Section 2)
On this 12.7-mile section of the Oregon Coast Trail, you'll tour two coastal towns, travel to a lighthouse lookout, and skim the edge of craggy headlands.
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| Author: | Canuck4114 |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Oregon (OR) |
| Distance: | 12.71 mi |
| Difficulty: | 6 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Gearhart, Tillamook Head |
| Rating: | Unrated |
Stretching from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border, the 382-mile Oregon Coast Trail links sandy shoreline, rugged headlands, and numerous state parks. The second section of the OCT starts in the town of Gearhart and travels 12.7 miles to Ecola Point in Ecola State Park.
From the west end of 10th Street in Gearhart, walk south along the beach for half a mile, then turn left to connect with the Ridge Trail. The route briefly follows the Ridge Trail before meandering through town and merging onto the Oregon Coast Highway for a 0.6-mile stretch to the town of Seaside. At mile 3.5, turn left and head south on Seaside's Promenade, a 1.5-mile boardwalk that overlooks the ocean.
At the end of the Promenade, turn right onto Ocean Vista Drive/Sunset Drive and follow it to Ecola State Park. At mile 6.4, turn left on Tillamook Head Trail (prepare to gain more than 1,000 feet of elevation in the next 1.6 miles). The route travels past Tillamook Head at mile 9.5, then visits Tillamook Head Lighthouse overlook and Indian Beach. The section hike ends at Ecola Point parking area at mile 12.7. Pick up your shuttle car and return to Gearhart.
Caution: Do not try to round headlands without knowledge of tide heights and times. Bring a tide chart and a detailed topo map. Free tide tables are available at state park offices, information centers, and the Hatfield Marine Science Center website.
Info: Oregon Coast Trail and Ecola State Park
-Mapped by Echo Hobbs, Salem Hiking Meetup
TO TRAILHEAD: Start: Park on the beach near 10th St. and Neacoxie Blvd. in Gearhart, OR. End: From Broadway St. in Seaside, OR, head south on US 101. In 5.4 miles, right onto Cannon Beach Trail. In 1.6 miles, bear left (toward Ecola State Park). Go 0.5 mile to Ecola Point parking area.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Oregon Coast Trail: Gearhart to Ecola State Park (Section 2)
| Distance: 12.71 mi | Points: 484 |
Points of Interest
OCT014
Location: 46.030905, -123.928405From the west end of 10th Street in Gearhart, head southwest toward the shore. From here, views extend south to Tillamook Head and north to Washington.
OCT015
Location: 46.024115, -123.929054The route leaves the beach for the next 3 miles. Turn left and hike east over the dune to reach the Ridge Trail.
OCT016
Location: 46.024022, -123.927079Turn right onto the Ridge Trail, heading south.
OCT017
Location: 46.019134, -123.926446Turn left onto G street for a 0.2-mile stretch along this paved road.
OCT018
Location: 46.019134, -123.921817Turn left onto Wellington Avenue (unsigned).
OCT019
Location: 46.019820, -123.921769Turn right onto F Street.
OCT020
Location: 46.019861, -123.919140Turn right onto Hagar Avenue.
OCT021
Location: 46.019161, -123.919111Turn left onto G Street, heading east to OR 101 (Oregon Coast Highway).
OCT022
Location: 46.019157, -123.915610Cross Neacoxie Creek and continue heading east.
OCT023
Location: 46.018967, -123.911448Turn right onto OR 101 and head south.
OCT024
Location: 46.010939, -123.911346Cross the Neawanna River on the bridge and veer right onto 24th Avenue.
OCT025
Location: 46.010421, -123.914564Bear left onto Holladay Drive.
OCT026
Location: 46.006954, -123.918132Stop at this spot along the Necanicum River to take a break and admire the views.
OCT027
Location: 46.001553, -123.920717Turn right onto 12th Avenue and cross the Necanicum River. Continue onto boardwalk.
OCT028
Location: 46.001521, -123.927299You have 2 options here: 1. Turn left onto the Promenade (a 1.5-mile, concrete boardwalk) and follow it south; 2. Continue to the beach, then turn left, paralleling the Promenade.
OCT029
Location: 45.984685, -123.932347Side trip: Turn left onto Lewis and Clark Way and go 200 feet to the Salt Cairn (on the right). This stone furnace is a replica of the one built by the Lewis and Clark expedition to extract salt from boiling saltwater.
OCT030
Location: 45.981352, -123.933646Pass another scenic spot overlooking the ocean (good place to take a break).
OCT031
Location: 45.980547, -123.933994At the end of the Promenade, follow the sidewalk through a small apartment complex to Ocean Vista Drive.
OCT032
Location: 45.979742, -123.933957Turn right onto Ocean Vista Drive.
OCT033
Location: 45.976700, -123.936060Turn right onto Ocean Vista Drive (becomes Sunset Boulevard) and follow it into Ecola State Park.
OCT034
Location: 45.975313, -123.940287After passing Seaside Golf Course, the route starts to climb steadily.
OCT035
Location: 45.973546, -123.954063Turn left and head south on Tillamook Head Trail. The path steepens as it travels into cool forest en route to Tillamook Head. Prepare to gain more than 1,000 feet of elevation in the next 1.6 miles.
OCT036
Location: 45.961204, -123.968643This 1,245-foot point marks the highpoint of the section hike.
OCT037
Location: 45.949551, -123.980122Clark's Viewpoint: Gaps in trees reveal views across the Pacific Ocean.
OCT038
Location: 45.942884, -123.984597Turn right at the junction, and hike west to the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse Viewpoint.
OCT039
Location: 45.942287, -123.987976This overlook offers distant views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, which is located roughly 1 mile from shore. Built on top of a rock in 1881, the lighthouse's tempestuous location inspired its nickname "Terrible Tilly." Next, turn around, return to Waypoint 37, and turn right. Look for an old bunker located next to the trail on the right.
OCT040
Location: 45.937475, -123.984511The trail merges back onto the road and continues its descent toward Indian Point.
OCT041
Location: 45.931513, -123.979898Look down onto Indian Beach from this scenic viewpoint.
OCT042
Location: 45.931729, -123.978953Turn right, heading south-southeast toward the Indian Beach parking area.
OCT043
Location: 45.929110, -123.976915After crossing the bridge, veer left. The trail begins to climb.
OCT044
Location: 45.927879, -123.976647Turn around for distant views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
OCT045
Location: 45.919640, -123.974270The section hike ends at the Ecola Point parking lot. Pick up your shuttle car and return to Waypoint 14.
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