Name: Tahkenitch Dunes Loop
Start: 2025-10-05T10:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-10-05T10:00:00-07:00

Past Activity

Tahkenitch Dunes Loop

View Gallery

Start date: 10/05/2025
Start time: 10:00 AM

Description:

A 6.5-mile hike with huge sand dunes, a secluded ocean beach, and a return route through the forest passing a 3-mile-long lake. We will be walking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, so the wind will be at our back while on the beach.

The hike begins/ends at the Tahkenitch Dunes Trailhead on Sunday, October 5th, at 10:00am. NOTE: This NOT the Tahkenitch Creek trailhead. If you need help, drop these coordinates into Google for the Tahkenitch Dunes Trailhead: 43.79529934702288, -124.14875113902502

If the Tahkenitch Dunes Trailhead is closed (because of the Govt shutdown), the secondary meeting location (about 1 mile north on the Coast Hwy) will be the Tahkenitch Lake Boat Ramp.

In my version of Sullivan's Oregon Coast book, this is the "Tahkenitch Dunes" hike.

If traveling from Eugene, you will need to make your own travel arrangements to the trailhead.

Wear shoes that offer good arch support. Bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. Dress for the weather, have a sun hat, sunglasses, etc. The trip leader has completed this hike before, but has not directly observed the recent erosion of the trail when it descends onto the beach. The plan is to have lunch on the trail at an overlook of Threemile Lake.

The trip leader will provide a 72-hour pre-trip email with an update to confirm the trip is a 'go.'

Event Leader: Mark Hougardy
Event Leader Phone: 541-206-9532
Event Leader Email: hougardy@gmail.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Coastal
Departure Location: See Trip Description
Rating: Moderate
Roundtrip total drive miles:
Season: 2025
Permits Required:
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. Dress for the weather, Personal first aid kit.
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 6.5
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 580
Non-Member Fees: 8
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

In the morning, several who had camped locally at Tugman State Park packed up and made our way to the trailhead. We were met by Obsidians who live on the coast and several who made the trip over from Eugene. The weather and temperatures were pleasant as we started our hike. We took the northern loop, making our way through the forest and crossing a dune and out to the Tahkenitch Creek. The trail paralleled the creek, showing just how much erosion had occurred since a former visit. The trail down the beach had also eroded out, but getting down the beach was not an issue. The beach was expansive, and any concerns about an incoming tide were lessened. The wind was minimal, and the sun was enjoyable; it was a perfect day walking along the beach! Near the water, one of the Obsidians found a leather-looking pouch about a foot long or so. This “mermaid\'s purse” was the egg case for a skate. We crossed inland and made our way to Threemile Lake, where we enjoyed lunch overlooking the placid lake. Returning through the forest, we were greeted by a variety of mushrooms, and some of the Obidians found a bounty of chanterelles along the trail.

Gallery