Oregon’s Southern Coast (Part 3)

Gold Beach, OR

Jerry’s Rogue Jet Boat Tours

Today we decide to take a boat tour up the Rogue River. Jerry’s offers four tours of varying lengths; so we opt for the four hour tour “Mail Route” including lunch at the Cougar Lane Lodge in Agnes, OR.

Dock Area

The dock area is covered in a blanket of fog when we arrive and we’re hoping that it doesn’t go too far upstream. We’ve been reading about the Rogue River all along the coast and we want to see as much wildlife as we can. As we walk down to board the boat, we’re greeted with a small sand bar filled with resting cormorants and harbor seals. One of the floating docks is also filled with resting harbor seals of various sizes and colors.

Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge

Completed in 1932, this is one of six major bridges designed by Conde B. McCullough in Oregon. This one in the art-deco style using an experimental technique of pre-stressing the concrete arch ribs. Given it’s still standing, I’d say the experiment was not only successful; but resulted in a beautiful structure.

Rogue River Scenery

All along the tour, the pilot stopped to point out landmarks, scenery and wildlife.

Rogue River Wildlife

The day turned out to be an incredible experience. The only thing we would have changed was getting wet on the way home. The wind was in our face and every time we went through some rapids spray covered the open boat, repeatedly soaking everyone. This was quite chilly as temps were 30 degrees cooler on the coast than inland.

Kissing Rock

Touted as one of the must see places in Gold Beach, we were expecting a little more that just a large rock that the locals used to make out under; but hey when in Rome…

Meyers Creek Vista Point

A larger than normal wayside spot on Hwy 101, this one is definitely worth pulling into.

Brookings, OR

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Named for the first Superintendent of Oregon State Parks (1929-1950), Samuel zealously pursued land purchases and donations. He was almost single-handedly responsible for turning a series of small roadside parks into Oregon’s vast state park system. This 12 mile coastal preserve was dedicated on the eve of Boardman’s retirement. Take a tour with us…

Arch Rock

Located west of Windy Point, we take a short walk through the trees to the end of the point for a view of the arch. Along the way we see some incredible views of the coastline north and south.

Secret Beach

Descending a steep trail down to the beach, we then traverse a rock cliff face down to Secret Beach. Once on the beach we see a few waterfalls, walk along the sand around Miner’s Gulch until we get an up close view of the arch that goes through. We’re here at low tide; but the tide is still too high to be able to go into it arch.

Natural Bridges

These natural wonders are best viewed from a platform a short walk from the parking lot.

Thomas Point

We dubbed this the “Toilet Trail” because after leaving the large parking lot and entering the dense forest, we start seeing toilet paper just off the trail everywhere for the first 100 feet. As we continue down the trail, it gets very narrow and becomes a little like an inverse balance beam. But, once we get to the end, the view of the water, windswept cliffs, and rainforest behind us make it worth the hike down the hill.

Indian Sands

This is a very steep loop trail down to incredible cliffside sand dunes.

At the dunes we see sea caves, ocean crevices, coastline, and bright red plants lining the trail. Continuing on we cross Bruce’s Bones Creek, follow it up a very narrow trail into the woods, and then ultimately back to the parking lot.

Whales Head Beach

This one is self explanatory, there’s a rock just off the beach that looks like whale’s head coming out of the ocean.

House Rock Viewpoint

This is a mainly a memorial to Samuel H. Boardman as “House Rock” is quite underwhelming. This stop does provide access to the Oregon Coast Trail in both directions and some nice views; but that’s about it.

Cape Ferrelo

Just another nice view…

Harris Beach State Park

Just north of Brookings, this small State Park offers a campground, hiking trails, easy access to bike paths, multiple beaches, a large arch rock, and a marine garden. We explore most of it while we’re camped here.

North Beach

Arch Rock & Marine Garden

South Beach

Chetco Point Park

Hidden behind the local water treatment plant, this little park offers some incredible sights. We reach it late in the day as the fog is rolling in.

Chetco Point, Macklyn Cove, Table Rock, & Diver Rock

As we round the water treatment facility we immediately see a view of Macklyn Cove, Table Rock and Diver Rock. Progressing further down the trail we see Chetco Point and once at the top we come across the sculpture “Two River and the Heart of the Ocean”

Walrus Rocks

Once at the end of Chetco Point we see Walrus Rocks being slowly engulfed by the fog.

South Cove & Tide pools

Next we head down the path to the south cove to investigate the tide pools.

Alfred A. Loeb State Park

About 8 miles inland, this state park is nestled along the Chetco River amongst a dense grove of ancient Myrtlewood trees. There is easy access to the river, camping and many hiking trails. Our goal today is to follow the river up to the Redwood Nature Trail.

Chetco Riverview Nature Trail

The trail begins fairly easily, following the river and providing good views both directions from a wood platform towards the end of the trail. After this platform, the trail gets tougher and is completely washed out in sections forcing us to walk about 6ft across a downed tree at one point.

Redwood Nature Trail

After safely reaching the end of the trail, we cross the road to begin our second trail and main goal for the day… to get our first glimpse of Oregon’s Old Growth Redwoods via the interpretive “Redwood Nature Trail”.

Some of these redwood trees were so tall, the only way to get a view of them was to do a panorama shot. So, please excuse the weird bend in the trees of the second picture (it’s an optical effect of the panorama).

Harbor, OR

Pelican Bay Light

Built as an addition to an existing house this lighthouse was constructed and first lit in 1997, stands 43 feet above sea level, and has a lens that can be seen for 11 nautical miles. The lighthouse overlooks the Port of Brookings Harbor and the mouth of the Chetco River.

Oregon’s Largest Monterey Cypress Tree

Planted in 1850 by pioneer Harrison G. Blake, this tree is 134 feet tall and the base is more than 34 feet around.

Oregon Redwoods Trail

Touted as a must do trail just north of the California border, this trail is not easy to get to. Four miles down a deeply rutted, extremely narrow, single lane, dirt road deep in the woods, you can find a large parking lot at the trailhead for this well groomed trail through the only coast redwoods found in Oregon. Walking through these giants really makes you feel small. See what we see along the trail…

Next Stop… California’s NW Coast