A wild idea for marking NCLC’s 30th anniversary in 2016 has become a treasured annual event for many hikers and a source of funding for coastal conservation. The fourth year of CoastWalk Oregon 2019 wrapped up Sunday, Sept. 15, with not much more than a drizzle of rain—despite the grim forecast—and dry weather on the deck at Camp Westwind, where we celebrated the end of the trail with a buffet lunch. Even those who chose to skip what was promising to be a stormy final day had enjoyed two magnificent days of beach and headland hiking.
Every CoastWalk Oregon participant has a different story: about how they found us, what led them to take on this challenge, and what the experience meant to them. Here’s a glimpse of the CoastWalk Oregon Class of 2019—including volunteers, without whom CoastWalk Oregon would not happen—and the magnificent landscape we traversed from Sand Lake to Siletz Bay.
In September 2020 CoastWalk Oregon will return to the mouth of the Columbia and head south—just like in 2016, but with a few twists. We’ll be updating the website shortly with details. Registration opens March 1.
Photos of Days 1 and 2 by Carolyn Propst, except where noted.
Day 1
Hiking the dike trail at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
Morning mist on the beach north of Cape Kiwanda
Descending south side of Cape Kiwanda. Photo courtesy of PNWVentures
Over the foredune at Bob Straub State Park
Walking through Neskowin
Day 2
Ascending Cascade Head South Rainforest Trail
That view … from the summit knoll at Cascade Head
Photo op
Descending Cascade Head
Through the forest toward Knight Boat Landing
Day 3
End of 6-mile walk of Lincoln City beach, at Road’s End. Photo by Pat Wollner
Arrival at Camp Westwind
Lunch on the deck
Walking to the boat shuttle
Crossing the Salmon River
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