Cape Falcon & Smuggler's Cove - Oswald West State Park - Oregon Coast

Cape Falcon & Smuggler's Cove

Oswald West State Park

Oregon Coast

a view of Smuggler's Cove from the Cape Falcon trail - Oregon Coast

Back in early February 2012 (Super Bowl Sunday, in fact) my wife and I made a day trip out to the Oregon Coast on a surprisingly warm and sunny day. Our intent was to visit Oswald West State Park's Smuggler's Cove (aka Short Sand Beach), hike out to Cape Falcon, eat some chowder and Fish & Chips at Ecola Seafood, and watch the sunset from Cannon Beach. We did all of these things BUT hike out to Cape Falcon. Hiking in the wet Oregon Coast during the rainiest time of the year (winter) can leave you ankle deep in mud; and my wife and I encountered some of the gnarliest mud bogs we've ever seen on a hike. Not wanting to spend the rest of the day with mud caked all over our shoes, we decided to save that hike for a later, drier day. And that day was today, Saturday September 8, 2012.

The first thing I noticed when driving out to the coast today was the climate. Oddly enough it felt colder today, in early September, than it did seven months ago in early February! A lot rides on the presence of the sun when dealing with the climate on the Oregon Coast. If the sun had been out today, the temperature probably would have been about 5-10 degrees warmer. But without the sun, you can feel that damp bite in the air from the ocean breeze and that flannel shirt stays on. I brought my swimsuit with me today to take a dip in the ocean after my hike. No sun? Probably not happening.

Trail to the beach starts under the bridge

I arrived at the Oswald West parking area just off Hwy 101 at around 10:00 a.m. At that time the parking lot was only three-quarters of the way full. Most of the people in the lot were either unstrapping surfboards from the roofs of their vehicles or unloading coolers-on-wheels and beach blankets from the beds of their pick-ups. There is a short trip along the Short Sand Creek through a forest of massive old-growth spruces until both you and the creek spill out onto Short Sand Beach at Smuggler's Cove. This area attracts surfers and beam bums alike. The beach is large enough that even if the parking areas where packed to capacity, there would still be enough beach to give people their own space if they so sought it. The further you get from the path that leads down to the beach, the more space you're going to find.

Here are some photos of Smuggler's Cove's Short Sand Beach.

Short trail leading down to the beach

Smuggler's Cove's Short Sand Beach

Smuggler's Cove's Short Sand Beach

Rocks on Smuggler's Cove's Short Sand Beach

Bonfires and Beach Bums on Smuggler's Cove's Short Sand Beach

Smuggler's Cove's Short Sand Beach

View down to the ocean from the Cape Falcon trail

Now if you want a great view of Smuggler's Cove and Neahkanie Mountain, a easy-to-moderate, relatively flat hike will bring you to Cape Falcon, which you can see from the beach.

You'll find the trailhead to Cape Falcon right at the top of the path leading up from the beach to the picnic area. Within moments you'll feel as if you're miles away from the beach's crowds. You'll travel through some dark forest on your way out to the cape, especially if it's an overcast day. The forest was so dark at certain parts that my camera almost didn't want to take photos without the flash. The dark forest, mixed together with the thick and towering spruces lend a very surreal, fantastical element to this hike, as if at any moment you're going to happen upon a troll guarding a bridge or something.

Once you're about half way to Cape Falcon you'll begin to see the ocean down below to your left through the spruces. Such a beautiful sight! And it only gets better! Resist the urge to stop and take photos of the forested cliffs across the cove at every opening along the hike. The best views come at the very end.

Here are some photos of what scenery to expect along the trail:

Cape Falcon trail

View of Smuggler's Cove from Cape Falcon trail

Cape Falcon trail

Giant Sitka Spruce on Cape Falcon trail

Cape Falcon trail

Cape Falcon trail

Cape Falcon trail

Cape Falcon trail

Cape Falcon trail

Bizarre fungus along the Cape Falcon trail

Bizarre fungus along the Cape Falcon trail

When you're almost to the end of Cape Falcon you'll find yourself winding up through what appears to be a narrow natural hallway carved out of thick, twisted, gnarled shrubbery. I'm not entirely certain what this plant is that covers the earth out here on the cape, but my goodness it's thick. I give props to whomever carved the path through this stuff. There's no straying off the path here- you couldn't if you tried. You'd just be stuck like a mosquito in a spider web.

Here's what I'm talking about:



When you exit this hallway of shrubbery you'll come out upon the end of Cape Falcon. A sloped cliff drops away down to the ocean below, where the surf blasts against the rock on a wavy day. There are a few great places to sit and take in the scenery and eat that granola bar you're packing. I spent nearly a half hour just sitting out here staring out into the ocean and the forested cliffs across the cove. I remembered why this place is called Smuggler's Cove and tried to imagine a seventeenth century ship anchored hundreds of yards out while members of its crew took the ship's booty ashore aboard a dingy to have it buried in a safe place somewhere in the state park, a place so safe that apparently nobody to this day has found it (if it even exists, of course) although hundreds per year still look. Although it is more than likely a mere fable and legend, the kid in me wants to imagine it anyway.

Here is the view from Cape Falcon. If it were a clearer day you'd be able to see Neahkahnie Mountain, which I will return to photograph in the future.

Afterward:

I had multiple motives for heading west to the coast today. Not only did I want to finally complete the hike to Cape Falcon, but I also wanted to start exploring the stretch of the Oregon Coast between Cannon Beach to the north and Tillamook to the south- primarily targeting Oswald West State Park and the coastal towns in the Nehalem Bay area. I want to further acquaint myself with this stretch of coastline. I have spent a lot of time in the northern-most portion of the coast, including Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Astoria, but I really haven't explored the Nehalem Bay area as much as I'd like to.

View of Manzanita and the Nehalem Bay area from a Hwy 101 scenic turnout

I am in search of that beach town that I return to year after year, that I know like the back of my hand, where I can sample the life of a local. Having grown up in a small town myself, I long to have a small coastal Oregon town that I become a regular at; a particular beach, restaurant, pub, coffee shop, used bookshop etc. Could take me years to find, and countless trips out to the coast. But I'll find it.

When traveling via automobile to an uncharted place I have one main rule: Never return the same way you came. I'm also firm believer that if you really want to experience a new place try hard to leave the main road through town. While headed westbound on Hwy 26 (the main road connecting Portland with the Oregon Coast) I decided to enter Nehalem Bay via the twisty Hwy 53 which links Hwy 26 to the town of Nehalem to the south. On my way home I exited Nehalem via Miami Foley Road, which connects the eastern outskirts of Nehalem with the town of Garibaldi to the south. From here take Hwy 101 down into Tillamook and Hwy 6 back home to Portland.

I had a blast driving down Hwy 53 and Miami Foley Road. They are, in my opinion, more scenic and more exciting to drive than Hwy 101. You get to see a different, more residential, side of the Oregon Coast if you travel these roads. If you're looking for a change of scenery, I highly suggest taking them. That is, unless you're prone to car-sickness. Then I would not recommend these roads at all, especially Hwy 53, the top one-third of which is like a rollercoaster.

It took great effort for me to pull myself away from Smuggler's Cove. I kept telling myself, "just a little while longer, then I'll get going." The sound of the surf, the squawk of gulls, the smell of driftwood campfire smoke mingled together with that salty, briny eau de la mer, watching surfers fall down and dogs catching frisbees, feeling that sea breeze on your face. Especially if my wife and our pets had been there too, I could've spent a month on that beach, not paying any mind to my obligations, possessions, and duties as an adult- to laundry, cleaning, working, errands, bills, pin numbers, bank accounts, emails, etc. Just paying attention to the things I love about my life- my family, the beach, the mountains, the sea, the old-growth spruces, the smell of burning driftwood, a good book, a swim, a hike, etc. I think this very wish to spend a little eternity within a brief moment but knowing that it's merely a wish is what Robert Frost had in mind when he wrote the following:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Paradise Park via the Timberline Trail - Mt. Hood

Paradise Park

via the Timberline Trail

12 miles round trip | 1,200 ft elevation gain

Mt Hood from Paradise Park Loop trail

Photographers in Paradise Park - Mt. Hood

Arguably one of the most popular hikes in Northwest Oregon, Mt. Hood’s Paradise Park combines alpine altitudes, up-close-and-personal mountain views, panoramic Cascade vistas, and a thick colorful blanket of wildflowers. The hike is only accessible for about 3-4 months of the year; the remainder of the year it is buried thick in snow. Late Summer and Autumn are really the only times of the year that you can hike this trail, with August being the most popular month due to the blossoming of the wildflowers.

There are three main sights to see along this hike: 1) a magnificent viewpoint high above the Zigzag river canyon, 2) a bridgeless crossing of that same river way down below (you’ll have to get your feet wet, nothing more), and of course 3) Paradise Park itself.

Paradise Park really does live up to its name. Four out of your five senses will get a striking stimulation up here. Your eyes will encounter some outstanding beauty- the top 4,000+ feet of Mt. Hood, the Cascade range stretched as far as the eye can see and blanketed in dark green conifers, and a variety of wildflower colors, mainly purple from the Lupine. Your nose will encounter that foresty, rocky alpine odor that I grew to love on my trips into Glacier and Yellowstone, mixed with the aromatic natural “flower garden” that surrounds you. Imagine if Portland’s International Rose Test Garden was here, on the side of Mt. Hood at 6,000 ft. That’s what it smells like up here. Your ears will encounter the chatter of birds, the quiet trickle of creaks near their glacial source, the buzz of bees, and fellow hikers “ohh and ahh-ing” at the natural beauty all around them. Finally, you’ll feel that sharp alpine breeze that seems to carry with it a bite of cold from the glaciers nearby, as well as that alpine blast of sunshine warming you at your core.

The trailhead for the Paradise Park trail is in the parking lot of the Timberline Lodge, which makes this hike even more appealing than it already is! The hike can be very strenuous and tiring- and what better place to plop down and relax after a long hike than the various lobbies and restaurants of the Timberline Lodge. 

If you'd like to take a look at the inside of the Timberline Lodge click HERE

Unlike most hikes, which typically take you uphill from the get-go and downhill on the return, Paradise Park is sort of a big W. There’s good news and bad news about this. The good news is that all of the steepest parts of the hike you will first experience traveling downhill. In fact, getting to beautiful, wildflower-scented Paradise Park itself seems almost easy. You may, like me, think to yourself “that’s it? That wasn’t so bad at all!”

Which brings me to the bad news: a significant chunk of the return half of the hike is going to be uphill. The steepest part of the trail in particular, the uphill climb from the river crossing up to the viewpoint, is briefly going to be a leg-burner. The trip to Paradise Park won’t kill you but it will definitely start to wear you down. The trip fro Paradise Park will be the coup de grace on your body. My advice: do not drink all your water on the first half of the hike! Save most of it for the return!

Dusty, sandy trail surface

Remember too that this hike can only be completed in the late summer time, when sun is plentiful. And the trail is primarily out in the open, which the occasional romp through the woods. You’ll be exposed to lots of sun and dust for the majority of the hike, which if you’re like me will add to your fatigue. The sun bear down hard on you at this elevation; and at times you’ll feel as if you’re walking on sand- you’re feet will kick up a lot of dust, which could dry out your throat. You’ll definitely need sun screen and plenty of water on this hike. Even with sunscreen I still ended the hike pretty red; and even with two jugs of water I still managed to run out with 3 miles of the hike remaining.

Once you’ve completed the hike, take a while to rejuvenate at the Timberline. Trust me, you’ll have earned it. Allow the feeling to return to your legs and your sweat-drenched t-shirt to dry while you have an ice cold drink, a bite to eat, or a long sit in one of their lobbies or patios.

Ribs & an IPA at Skyway Bar & Grill

My advice: after you complete Paradise Park treat yourself to either an ice cold pint of locally made beer and personal pizza at the Blue Ox Bar on the Timberline’s first floor or head up to the top floor to the Ram’s Head for a beer and an entrée. I highly recommend their meatloaf. Few things are better to eat after being worn out from a hike quite like comfort food, and Ram’s Head serves the best slab of meatloaf that I’ve ever tasted. If you’re feeling fancy and not too sweaty n’ dusty (you’ll more than likely be both) you can wine n’ dine yourself at the Cascade Dining Room, but prepare to spend at least around $35 for an entree. I’ve yet to eat here, but I’ve heard very good things.

If you can hold off for 20 more minutes you could drive down to Zigzag, Oregon and have some amazing BBQ at Skyway Bar & Grill. They not only have outstanding BBQ for surprisingly affordable prices, but they also have a great selection of beers and a vast assortment of house-infused vodkas for making superb cocktails. In my opinion, it is quite possibly the perfect place to wind-down and take a load off after a long, strenuous hike. (see below for photos of my post-hike feast at Skyway)

Here are photos from the Paradise Park Loop hike in order of appearance, starting with those closest to the trailhead and ending with Paradise Park itself:

Trailhead near Timberline Lodge

View of Mt Hood and the chairlift from the trail

Early on in the hike - near Timberline Lodge

Nearing Little Zigzag Canyon

Little Zigzag Canyon

Little Zigzag Canyon

Nearing Zigzag Canyon Viewpoint

Zigzag Canyon Viewpoint

View of Mt Hood's Mississippi Head and beginning of Zigzag Canyon

Wooded trail heading down to Zigzag River crossing

Zigzag River crossing - no bridge - wading required

Here's a photo for size reference: those little specks circled are people. The ones on top are standing at the Zigzag Canyon Viewpoint. The ones on the bottom are hiking uphill to Paradise Park.

Horseback riders on the Timberline Trail headed to Ramona Falls

Oregon is so hip that even the flora here have dreadlocks!

This gnarly tree is a bit of a Rorschach Test. What do you see in it?

Mt Hood from Paradise Park

Paradise Park Loop trail

Paradise Park Loop trail

My trusty Philosophy Nalgene bottle purchased from Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon

Mt. Hood from Paradise Park Loop trail

After this hot, dusty, draining, (but very worth it!!!) 12-mile hike, I drove down to Skyway Bar & Grill in Zigzag, Oregon to feast on a BBQ sampler (ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, and a side, in this case, baked beans) and a side of their renowned mac-n-cheese. I washed it down with a couple local IPAs and was in no rush to get up out of my chair. Here are a few photos from the Skyway: