Happy Little Oregon Trails

We just got back from four days in Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast.  Of the three times we've been there we had the best weather this time by far with blue skies, sun and just a couple of rain showers to keep things interesting.  I love the rain, it seems like it just snows here.

But first Multnomah Falls only 30 mins east from PDX airport.

We went up a couple of switchbacks past Benson Bridge, the top is a gain of about 250 m.  2.5 million people visit these falls every year, we luckily chose a quiet time.  After that we headed off west through a thundershower (and Portland traffic) toward the coast.

Beach time!

Crescent Beach  8 km  220 m  distance includes exploring the beach

The best way to escape the Cannon Beach crowds is to take this easy forested trail down from Ecola Point SP.  We had the entire beach to ourselves (another couple arrived near the end, took one photo and immediately headed back up).  We explored every inch of the beach and stayed a couple of hours.  The trail was very muddy but not really an issue in our Hokas.

Cape Kiwanda  3 km  130 m

Cape Kiwanda is a pleasant 1.5 hr drive south.  If you park next to Pelican Brewing this 240 ft sand dune greets you as soon as you walk onto the beach.  Sitting on the top of it watching people climbing up and flying back down is highly entertaining.

The entire area is gorgeous with sandstone cliffs, huge waves and we even saw whales not far offshore.  Watch out for the dory boats hurtling in to shore.

Devil's Cauldron  9.5 km  282 m    Oswald West SP

We started out by exploring Short Sand beach (so many surfers!) then climbing up to this awesome viewpoint through old growth forest.  More mud. There's also a parking lot that accesses this area so the very last stretch was busy.  Back in the enchanted forest it was quiet again.

Hidden beaches:

Short Beach (near Cape Meares lighthouse, watch closely for beach sign)

A few old wooden steps down to a quiet beach with a stunning rock to explore.

Hug Point (easy to find, just south of Cannon off 101) 

What appears to be just a small beach opens up when the tide goes out.  There's a whole string of beaches, the waterfall, caves and old carriage road will be to your right.  Gorgeous even on a cloudy misty day.

I was very tempted to stay.  We flew back into a big snowstorm in Calgary.  Nope.