The hike out to Cape Lookout is 2.4 miles long, 5 miles round trip, and can take between 1 and 2 hours to reach. Section 2: Oswald West to Cape Lookout. Hiking to the end of mile-wide Cape Lookout is one of the top coastal hikes in Oregon. A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. The ground is moderately level, but has periods of incline and decline. It is the most common shrub found in forests west of the Cascade Mountains. Cape Lookout State Park offers everything you’d want from an Oregon coast hike: old-growth forest, secluded beaches, cliff-top views, and wildlife on land, wing, and water. The Cape Lookout North trail proceeds to the right, or you can take a left for a detour to Cape Lookout’s South Beach. Of the three trails that converge at the trailhead (North Trail, Cape Trail, South Trail), this was by far the most strenuous hike. Section 1: Columbia River to Oswald West . Icon of a hiker with backpack a walking stick hiking up a hill. Be prepared for damp weather -- you’ve been warned! With its gorgeous old-growth forest and soaring ocean cliffs, this trail has all the views. Cape Lookout (lower lot) Hike Route. Netarts Bay J a c k s o n C r e e k J a c k s o n C r e k o Tillamook T h r e e C a p e s homes, canoes, rope, S c e n i c ring represents one year’s growth D r i v e Salal The leaves of the Salal are dark and leathery on top and pale underneath. 411: Four miles out and back from the North Trailhead to the summit, or 3-miles out and back from the South Trailhead. Netarts Spit is part of Cape Lookout State Park, and because it stretches 5 miles out, a round-trip hike here can take some time. Section 4: Lincoln City to Waldport Cape Lookout State Park: Cape Trail Good Hike! 2.5 (2.5–3 mph) Registration Closes Nov 21 2019. Trail Guide Cape Lookout State Park . This 5.4 mile trail that takes you from the Cape Lookout State Park parking lot, along the Pacific Ocean to the end of the Netarts Bay Sand Spit. The day we hiked the trail was very muddy and slippery in spots. > Home Page > Activity Search > Hike OR Cape Lookout/Moderate Helpful Links NEW! The trail begins either at the campground, where it climbs 2.5 miles up to a ridgetop trailhead with a parking lot, or from the Three Capes road at a well-signed trailhead. Check Special Notices for closures and other alerts on sections of trail that pass through state parks. North Core, South Core, and Shackleford beaches remain open. We did the long beach walk north to the end of the sand spit, the shorter beach walk south to the caves and tide pools, and took the long hike up to the cape lookout trail head and then out to the cape (9.4 miles round-trip). Cape Lookout State Park is an easy hour and a half drive from Portland. The cliff-top hiking trail offers views of Cape Kiwanda and Cascade Head to the south as well as Cape Meares, Three Arch Rocks, and Neahkahnie Mountain to the north. Date: February 23, 2017 Contact: B.G. But the Cape Lookout Trail hike in Tillamook, Oregon was something different. For outdoor lovers, Cape Lookout State Park is without a doubt one of the crown jewels of Tillamook County. Section 3: Cape Lookout to Lincoln City. Gary Bishop. I’ve been daydreaming about its beauty since the late September afternoon I drove to Tillamook and first set eyes on the Cape Lookout Trail hike. Cape Trail, a 2.3 mile hike along the cape to a scenic viewpoint, will remain open for the duration of the lot closure. Oregon Coast Range. The scenic drive to the trailhead takes you by waterfalls and great viewpoints. Be sure to bring all the food, water, and supplies you need (and carry your trash out of the park) when visiting these remote beaches. We arrived at the coast by mid afternoon, enough time for a hike to the end of the Cape. The center will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays, Christmas day and New Year’s Day. Our tent camping site was clean, well laid out, and offered running water, a picnic table, and fire ring. Visit beaches, rocky shoreline and booming winter surf on a weekend trip to one of the best parts of the Oregon coast. Cape Lookout State Park: Loop to Cape Look Out not Open - See 369 traveler reviews, 384 candid photos, and great deals for Tillamook, OR, at Tripadvisor. Full Details. Starting June 6, the park will open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, the Keepers’ Quarters Museum on South Core Banks near the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Cape Lookout is open year-round. Day Use Parking Fee: $5 The area does get an average rainfall of 90 inches annually (compared with Portland’s 37.5 inches). One way distance is 2.3 miles or 4.6 miles round trip. Pace. The trail climbs and falls in roller coaster fashion, through two moss-covered talus slopes, eventually arriving at a bridge in front of Cape Horn Falls. 3014 HARKERS ISLAND, NC – Cape Lookout National Seashore opens a new fishing pier and refurbishes the Soundside Nature Trail, both of which improve accessibility for all park visitors. Come along for a hike of scenic Cape Lookout. The Cape Trail leads you to the point on Cape Lookout a hundred or so feet above the ocean. Leave the trailhead and after hiking for just short of a mile you will reach Cape Creek. Nov 23 2019 Activity Notes. The South Trail, the North Trail, and the Cape Lookout Trail. Prepare for wet, blustery weather from November into April. And the North Head Trail, for instance, there will be one-directional foot traffic starting at the top of Signal Hill and continuing downward to the Battery with the return trip looping back around up the Signal Hill road to the parking lot. The trail now veers east with occasional river views and a stunning view of Cigar Rock, pillars of basalt rising above the river. Details Upcoming Register. Please note that dogs must be on leash. Area highlights include solitary headlands, huge sand dunes, and glorious old growth. The Cape Lookout Trail is a popular hiking trail, extending 2.5 miles (4.0 km) through Sitka spruce forest to the tip of the promontory. Starting Monday, Signal Hill and Cape Spear will be officially open with the new restrictions. Looking north from Cape Lookout . The majesty of Cape Lookout. Cape Lookout. Foot. Dates. The path is fairly narrow, with tree roots covering a majority of the pathway. You'll find yourself surrounded by water fowl and in prime sea shell hunting territory. There are views south and north along long stretches of beach and the highest cliffs on the Cape tower more than 800 feet. The North Trail is a moderately easy, 5.2 mile hike in Cape Lookout State Park that will take about 2 to 3 hours to complete with Fido. The new fishing pier is located next to the Harkers Island Visitor Center. Traveling By. Hike through the lush, old growth forest of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, salal, and large leathery polypody ferns. Optionally, pack some picnic items to share for a trailhead beach bbq. Leaders. Following some switchbacks and a steep ascent, you’ll enjoy a commanding view to the north of Three Arch Rocks, Oceanside, and Netarts Spit. Icon of map pin. The south side offers a drier, more sun-drenched hiking path that explores open meadows before entering the woods for a final push to the top. About the Trail: Of Oregon’s Northern Coast hikes, the Cape Lookout Trail is arguably one of the most picturesque. An orientation map at the trailhead details the options. Looking south from Cape Lookout . Assuming the route is open, continue west and switchback downhill. Views of the coastal communities of Oceanside and Netarts are visible as you hike, as is the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge where more than 150 species of birds are protected. Here’s why you need to hike this magical place. At 1.5 miles into the trail you will be able to view the Pacific from a nice ridge. Horvat, 252-728-2250, ext. – The Cape Trail parking lot at Cape Lookout State Park will be closed April 9 – 12 for repairs and repaving. The National Park Service’s Harkers Island Visitor Center and the Island Express Ferry Service gateway to Cape Lookout Lighthouse and east end of Shackleford Banks at 1800 Island Road, Harkers Island will also have winter hours Dec. 10 to March 19, 2018. The park offers great trails for hiking, the Cape Lookout Trail being one of the most popular among visitors. Possible gray whales can be spotted during their … The parking lot at the Cape Trail trailhead in Cape Lookout State Park will be partially closed May 24-30 because of construction in the area, according to a report from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic villages--there’s something for everyone at Cape Lookout. Why You Should Go. Contacts. - See 370 traveler reviews, 387 candid photos, and great deals for Tillamook, OR, at Tripadvisor. Hiking – Whether you are exploring the wide paths that wind through Portsmouth Village or just taking a stroll along the seashore, Cape Lookout is a fine destination to embark on a trek through miles of undeveloped terrain. Season: Cape Lookout's campground and hiking trails are open year-round. Land Manager: Oregon State Parks. The Harkers Island Visitor Center will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for visitor orientation and park resource information. The North Trail’s prime viewpoints appear up ahead, starting with a view of Cape Lookout itself just past the second junction. The mud didn’t make it any easier. “Cape Trail is a popular hike and the lot has seen a lot of use over the years,” said Kirk Barham, park manager. Just bring along plenty of water and bug spray, as the mosquitos can be thick, and the facilities are obviously limited. I haven’t been back to Cape Lookout much since working there in the late 90’s. The trail route may change due to safety issues, road closures or detours. Visitors will still be able to park in specified sections of the lot and on the shoulder of Cape Lookout Road. Starting June 1, Signal Hill and Cape Spear will be open with restrictions. Shared By: Donovan Fitzgerald . The area also features a popular campground that has great ocean views. 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