Calendar

Past Activity

Heceta Head

  • Start date: 04/20/2024

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 04/20/2024

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

We'll start at Washburne State Park and cross 101 to pick up the Valley Trail along China Creek. The bridge probably isn't repaired yet, but we can check on its progress before we cross back over 101 and up through the forest on the Oregon Coast Trail to the Heceta Head Lighthouse for lunch. After lunch we'll take the Hobbit trail down to the beach and along the shore back to our cars. If the bridge across China Creek is open the hike will be 8 miles, but since it probably isn't, it will be 6 miles.
Be prepared for mud, but the weather should be good.

Drive is suitable for all vehicle types, and there are rest rooms at the trail head and at the lighthouse.

Photo by: Kathie Carpenter

  • Event Leader: Carpenter Kathie

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Coastal

  • Departure Location: Eugene Target, W11th, parking lot closest to W11th

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 148

  • Season: 2024

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Lunch, poles if you use them, sturdy footwear because the up-and-down to the lighthouse is steep, water, layers suitable for the weather

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 8

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 799

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

This was the terrific little hike that had it all – varied landscapes (forest, wetland, skunk cabbage blooming in all their odoriferous glory, fabulous ocean views, historic lighthouse, sandy beach), great company (welcome to new members Kim and Bill!), restrooms at the trailhead and the lunch spot, enough elevation to warm us up but not enough to wear us out, and very cooperative weather. The rain forecast kept the crowds away, but we only got a few drops, not enough to count as even a shower, and the trail was not muddy at all.

The beach was covered with thousands of dried-up velella velella, a delicate little jellyfish also known as by-the-wind sailors. Unlike the skunk cabbages they were not odoriferous at all, and added a sculptural element to the really wild rock- and sandscapes carved by the wind on the beach.

Best of all, the bridge on the China Creek loop is almost finished!

Gallery