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Author:
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Canuck4114
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Activity:
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Hiking
ActivitySearchHiking
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State:
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Oregon (OR)
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Distance:
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12.71 mi
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Difficulty:
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6 / 10
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USGS Topo Map:
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Gearhart, Tillamook Head
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Rating:
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Unrated
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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.
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Datum: |
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Oregon Coast Trail: Gearhart to Ecola State Park (Section 2)
| Dist: 12.71 mi |
Points: 484 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
OCT014
Location: 46.030905°, -123.928405°
From 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°, -123.929054°
The 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°, -123.927079°
Turn right onto the Ridge Trail, heading south.
OCT017
Location: 46.019134°, -123.926446°
Turn left onto G street for a 0.2-mile stretch along this paved road.
OCT018
Location: 46.019134°, -123.921817°
Turn left onto Wellington Avenue (unsigned).
OCT019
Location: 46.019820°, -123.921769°
Turn right onto F Street.
OCT020
Location: 46.019861°, -123.919140°
Turn right onto Hagar Avenue.
OCT021
Location: 46.019161°, -123.919111°
Turn left onto G Street, heading east to OR 101 (Oregon Coast Highway).
OCT022
Location: 46.019157°, -123.915610°
Cross Neacoxie Creek and continue heading east.
OCT023
Location: 46.018967°, -123.911448°
Turn right onto OR 101 and head south.
OCT024
Location: 46.010939°, -123.911346°
Cross the Neawanna River on the bridge and veer right onto 24th Avenue.
OCT025
Location: 46.010421°, -123.914564°
Bear left onto Holladay Drive.
OCT026
Location: 46.006954°, -123.918132°
Stop at this spot along the Necanicum River to take a break and admire the views.
OCT027
Location: 46.001553°, -123.920717°
Turn right onto 12th Avenue and cross the Necanicum River. Continue onto boardwalk.
OCT028
Location: 46.001521°, -123.927299°
You 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°, -123.932347°
Side 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°, -123.933646°
Pass another scenic spot overlooking the ocean (good place to take a break).
OCT031
Location: 45.980547°, -123.933994°
At the end of the Promenade, follow the sidewalk through a small apartment complex to Ocean Vista Drive.
OCT032
Location: 45.979742°, -123.933957°
Turn right onto Ocean Vista Drive.
OCT033
Location: 45.976700°, -123.936060°
Turn right onto Ocean Vista Drive (becomes Sunset Boulevard) and follow it into Ecola State Park.
OCT034
Location: 45.975313°, -123.940287°
After passing Seaside Golf Course, the route starts to climb steadily.
OCT035
Location: 45.973546°, -123.954063°
Turn 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°, -123.968643°
This 1,245-foot point marks the highpoint of the section hike.
OCT037
Location: 45.949551°, -123.980122°
Clark's Viewpoint: Gaps in trees reveal views across the Pacific Ocean.
OCT038
Location: 45.942884°, -123.984597°
Turn right at the junction, and hike west to the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse Viewpoint.
OCT039
Location: 45.942287°, -123.987976°
This 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°, -123.984511°
The trail merges back onto the road and continues its descent toward Indian Point.
OCT041
Location: 45.931513°, -123.979898°
Look down onto Indian Beach from this scenic viewpoint.
OCT042
Location: 45.931729°, -123.978953°
Turn right, heading south-southeast toward the Indian Beach parking area.
OCT043
Location: 45.929110°, -123.976915°
After crossing the bridge, veer left. The trail begins to climb.
OCT044
Location: 45.927879°, -123.976647°
Turn around for distant views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
OCT045
Location: 45.919640°, -123.974270°
The section hike ends at the Ecola Point parking lot. Pick up your shuttle car and return to Waypoint 14.
