Beacon Rock beckons you to the top

If you are looking for a place that has great views of the Columbia River and is a good workout, Beacon Rock is the place for you.

What is most impressive about the hike up besides the vistas are the 53 switchbacks with hand rails for safety.

There is a door in the rock wall about 15 minutes into the hike that is locked at dusk so no one can sneak up and spend the night.

There are two viewpoints at the top of the 848 foot high rock located on the Washington side of the river.

You can see the Bonneville Dam and the reservoir behind it and the Columbia River.

You need a Discover Pass to visit, which costs $30 and is available from an automatic machine at the park gate.  It is good for an entire year and usable at any state park in Washington.

Or you can pay a $10 fee for just one day of use.

Camping is available year round in the 4,458 acre Beacon Rock State Park for an additional fee.  It is first come, first served and the 26 sites are mostly suited for tent camping although a few other spaces are available.

There are showers and running water, plus a group site for up to 200 guests.

Besides the rock, the park also features 9,500 feet of freshwater shoreline and 26 miles of roads and trails to explore.

The park is open all year from 8 a.m. until dusk.

How to get there:

Take the Highway 14 exit off I-5 or I-205 and head east, which is a left turn off the exit southbound and a right turn off the exit northbound.

Follow the Columbia River up just past Skamania to find Beacon Rock State Park.

The address is 34841 WA-14, Skamania, Wash. 98648.

Call (509) 427-8265 for more information or call (888) 226-7688 in regards to camping.

Text and photos by Jeff Clinton.  Tim Clinton also contributed to this report.

 

Heceta Head Lighthouse well worth the stop

If you're a lover of lighthouses, Heceta Head on the Oregon Coast should be your first stop.

The lighthouse is situated on a cliff overlooking a picturesque cove.

There is a winding 1/2-mile trail leading to the lighthouse and a short side trail goes up to an overlook behind the lighthouse.  It is the perfect place to sit and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean with the lighthouse and a gnarled tree in the foreground.

Nearby is a Bed and Breakfast in the former assistant light keeper's home that provides fantastic views of the ocean.

It is rumored to be haunted by the wife of a former light keeper.  Her name is Rue and she keeps an eye out for her children, one of whom drowned.

Several occupants have reported items in their rooms being moved.  However, her presence is said to be a peaceful one as she watches over the lighthouse quarters.

The brick and stucco Heceta Head Lighthouse was first activated on March 30, 1894 and it was automated in 1963.

The light of its First Order Fresnel Lens can be seen from 21 miles out to sea.  Part of the great distance can be attributed to the fact the lighthouse is situated 205 feet up the headland and has a 56-foot tower.

Heceta Head (pronounced huh-SEE-tuh) honors Bruno de Heceta, the Portuguese captain of a Spanish ship who first sighted the cape in 1775.

There is ample parking but it can fill up fast.  Restrooms are on site and there is a parking fee of $5 to be paid via credit card.

The park is open year round for day use and the ground floor of the lighthouse opens for visitors as weather and staffing permit.  The top floors are closed to the public.

How to get there:

The Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is located just off Highway 101 at 725 Summer Street, Florence, OR 97439.

It is 13 miles north of Florence and 13 miles south of Yachats.

You can cut over to Highway 101 into Florence on Highway 126 out of Eugene, or on Highway 20 and 34 out of Corvallis into Waldport just north of Yachats.

Call 800-551-6949 for more information, or call the park at (541) 547-3416.  School and tour groups should email ahead to heceta.h.lighthouse@oregon.gov.

For Bed and Breakfast reservations call 866-547-3696 or go to hecetalighthouse.com.

Text and photos by Jeff Clinton.  Tim Clinton also contributed to this report.

Redondo Beach earns applause

A sound pierces the salt air as the sun slips behind the Olympic Mountains with finality.

The crowd gathered at Redondo Beach has spontaneously broken into applause for the sight they just witnessed.

Such was the case on one visit to the Des Moines, Wash. park, and what you see there is often worthy of adulation.

It sits on Poverty Bay off of Puget Sound, almost encircled by the city of Federal Way to the east, west and south.

Des Moines gained incorporation of this strip of land after residents voted Federal Way down.

Redondo Beach Drive courses through the scene, separating the two parking lots, condominiums and multi floored beach houses from the beach front and boardwalk.

Tiny boats typically sail off the shore after setting off from the launch and dock nestled next to a fishing pier and Salty's restaurant at the northeast end of the boardwalk.

A small beach sits on the other side of Salty's with a sidewalk and sea wall behind it.

The boardwalk, and the beach below it, is a healthy 1.1 miles in length with the boardwalk suitable for any skill level.

High tide covers the beach, confining walkers to the boardwalk, while lower tides expose the sand and rocks and allow for sauntering and beach combing.

Pier and boat fishing is open per Marine Area 11 regulations, with anglers age 14 and over required to have a valid Washington license.

The sunsets are free and readily visible from all areas of Redondo Beach.

How to get there:

Go west on South 272nd Street off Interstate 5, Pacific Highway South or 16th Avenue (right southbound and left northbound) until the road starts to wind down the hill. Stick with it until it becomes Redondo Beach Drive.

From Federal Way and the south, go north on First Avenue (left eastbound and right westbound off Dash Point Road, South 312th Street or South 320th Street) and remain on it until it also becomes Redondo Beach Drive coming from the opposite direction.

A third option is to turn at the 16th Avenue South light off Dash Point road near Sacajawea Park (left eastbound and right westbound).  The road descends immediately and winds down a canyon to join Redondo Beach Drive near Salty's and the parking lots.

For more information on Redondo Beach call (206) 824-5700.

Text and photos by Tim Clinton.

 

Multnomah Falls stands tall

Multnomah Falls is an Oregon icon.

The waterfall often graces calendars of the state, and of the Pacific Northwest for that matter.

The two levels plunge a combined 620 feet into the Columbia River Gorge, with plenty of maple trees in front to add greenery in the spring and summer and color in the fall.

An arched foot bridge crosses above the second drop to also contribute to the scene.

The upper falls account for 542 feet of height and the lower for 69.  There is nine feet of elevation drop between the two.

Peak flow over the falls, mostly out of underground springs from Larch Mountain, is in the winter and spring.  Ice and snow can add a dash of white at times.

Moss covers most of the rock walls, where layers of ancient Yakima basalt flows can be found. 

Multnomah Falls is as popular as it is pretty, however.

Over 2,000,000 visitors make the stop per year and the parking lot is often full and closed.  It is sandwiched between the two sides of Interstate 84 about 30 miles and 30 minutes east of Portland.

A tunnel under the eastbound lanes and railroad tracks leads to the lodge and lower observation deck.

A trail goes on up to the foot bridge built in 1914 and gives visitors a closer look at the upper falls.

It is called the Benson Bridge after Simon Benson, who owned the falls in the early 1900s and gave the site to the city of Portland, which later passed it on to the USDA Forest Service.

The Multnomah Falls Lodge built in 1925 features a restaurant, the Forest Service Visitors Center, a gift shop, restrooms and a snack bar all open to the public.

The area is open all year for day use only.

Timed reservation tickets are required to visit from late May to mid September for the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for bicycles.  You choose a time and have the entire hour after it to enter and can stay as long as you wish.

Tickets are expected to go on sale in May of this year for $1 per person per visit.  The cost is non-refundable, but does not guarantee a place to park.

How to get there:

Take Exit 31 off Interstate 84 heading east or west 30 miles to the east of Portland.  The exit is out of the left lane into the middle parking area.

Multnomah Falls is also accessible off the Historic Columbia River Highway (30), but do not block or impede traffic while trying to park.

You can also leave your vehicle at Rooster Rock State Park and ride a free shuttle to the falls from May through September.  The state park has a $5 per vehicle day use fee.

Daily bus service is offered by the Columbia River Express all year, including out of Portland.

For more information on the falls and lodge, call the Visitors Center at (503) 695-2372 or the Columbia River Gorge Natural Scenic Area headquarters at (541) 308-1700.

The address is 53000 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy., Bridal Veil, OR 97010.

Text and top photo by Tim Clinton.  Bottom photo by Jeff Clinton.

Saltwater State Park packs surprises

 

You never know what you're going to find at Saltwater State Park.

Yes, there's plenty of salt water.

You can find it crashing against the rocks, or lapping peacefully on the sand below the wall.

There's lots of seagulls and a few crows, but if you're lucky you can also find a blue heron sneaking up on one of the tiny fish that swim just off shore.

Or what's flying overhead might not be a bird at all, but a drone looking down from just above the tree tops on the crest of the bluff.

Or it could be one of the many jets that parade by just up the hill from the Des Moines, Wash. park on their way to Sea-Tac International Airport.

Among the things you know you are going to find are a freshwater creek, a restroom, a fire pit encircled by rocks, a covered picnic area, open picnic tables and benches to sit on and look out over the waters of Puget Sound toward Maury Island and the Olympic Mountains beyond -- or at the sunset if you are there at the right time of day.

A paved walking trail takes you to all of these and works its way through a grassy area, with a rock wall trying to protect it all from the onslaught of high tides and waves but obviously having failed in spots.

A couple of washed out areas creating holes in the concrete are marked off by yellow tape and off limits for walkers' safety.

The bluff above is cut into by a canyon at McSorley Creek, where the parking lot and a concession stand and another restroom are.  More picnic sites are also located here. 

A trail goes on up the creek where a 30-site campground is located.  The campground is open from May 15 to Sept. 15 with reservations.  Campers without a reservation may stay only one night at a time.

Saltwater State Park is on a 137-acre site with 1,445 feet of shoreline.

Hiking trails are on top of the bluff -- where another picnic shelter is located -- and on the north and south rims of the canyon.

Call (253) 661-4956 for more information on the park that is open at 8 a.m. daily all year long and closes at dusk.

Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

The general Washington state parks number is (360) 902-8844.

How to get there:

Take the Kent-Des Moines Road exit from Interstate 5 and go west (left northbound and right southbound) through the light on Pacific Highway and on down the hill toward Des Moines.

Keep going until you come to Marine View Drive (Highway 509) at the bottom of the hill as you enter the downtown waterfront area of Des Moines.

Turn left at the light and watch for the Saltwater State Park signs to your right.  Turn at 8th Place So.

A booth offers day use tickets for $10 per vehicle or a $30 Discover Pass that gets you into any Washington state park for a year.

Saltwater State Park is located at 25205 8th Place So. in Des Moines with a zip code of 98198.

Text and photos by Tim Clinton.

 

Dash Point delivers a great getaway

When someone says the tide is out at Dash Point State Park, they mean the tide is out.  Way out.

The beach has such a slight incline that any tide that is low at all really makes the exposed sand go off into the distance.

It also provides so much shallow water that sometimes it seems like you can venture halfway to Maury Island across Puget Sound.

As long as it isn't high tide, there is plenty of room to sun bathe, walk, beach comb, swim or wade.

Even when the tide is in there is 3,301 feet of shoreline, plus a fishing pier.

On the water you can go boating, kayaking or skim boarding.

The latter is a Dash Point phenomenon, with the park nestled next to the heart of the city of Federal Way between Seattle and Tacoma hosting competitions at times.

You throw a small thin board into the shallow water, hop aboard and ride.

Dash Point boasts plenty of picnic area as well with two shelters that can be reserved and 20 uncovered tables available to whoever gets there first.

There is a short trail including a tunnel under the road from the parking area to the beach.

If that isn't enough of a walk for you, there are eight miles of wooded biking trails and 11 miles of hiking trails to navigate in the opposite direction.

Above it all in a wood so thick you can get the feeling you are way off in the mountains is the camping area.

A total of 114 standard campsites, 27 utility sites, one dump site, four restrooms and six showers are available.

Even though the beach looks like a good spot to chase clams with a shovel, it is not recommended.

Automated pay stations on the way into the overall 461-acre park offer $10 per car state day use passes and Discover passes for $30 that will get you into any state park in Washington for an entire year.

Camping and using the boat launch are extra.  Fishing and any harvesting of shellfish require a state license. 

 

How to get there:

Dash Point State Park is located at 5700 Southwest Dash Point Road in Federal Way.

Take the South 320th Street exit off Interstate 5 and keep on going west (left northbound, right southbound) until the street ends at Hoyt Road.

Take a right at the light until that road ends at Dash Point Road and go left where a roundabout is under construction.

A short distance down is the park to your right.

Call (253) 661-4955 for more information on the park or check the Dash Point State Park website. Call 888-226-7688 if you want to camp.

Text and photos by Tim Clinton.

 

Crater Lake shines like a gem

Crater Lake is nothing short of spectacular any way you look at it.

Deep blue waters surround tree lined Wizard Island with its small crater on top, with steep slopes encircling the scene and plunging into the depths.

Add a layer of snow and it becomes even more stunning.

But Crater Lake is not in a crater at all.

Technically it sits in a caldera.

"It will be a long time before they call it Caldera Lake," admitted a tour guide at nearby Newberry Caldera trying to explain the difference to his audience.

A caldera is formed when a magma chamber is emptied and collapses in on itself.

That's what happened to Mount Mazama when it erupted some 7,700 years ago, with the lake filling it in.

Wizard Island was the result of ensuing volcanic activity, with its top blasted out to form a crater.

Mount St. Helens in Washington has also boasted a large crater since it blew in 1980, with a lava dome gradually emerging in it.

But whether you call it Crater Lake or Caldera Lake, it offers viewers a striking blue color brought on by algae.

Wizard Island is the centerpiece of most photos coming out of what is officially known as Crater Lake National Park.

But the Southern Oregon scene stands out any way you look, with the ragged and rocky shell of Mount Mazama creating slopes that continue right down into the 1,943-foot deep lake.

A road goes around the whole caldera, weaving inside the rim at times to offer views of the lake.

The best place to see it is above the southwest part of the lake.

It features a visitor center and lodge as well as a large parking area and trails through the trees on top of a fairly flat portion of land.

The lake is huge as well as deep at 4.971 miles across and covering 20.6 square miles.

As far as elevation goes, the surface of Crater Lake sits at 6,178 feet.

The lake is inhabited by sockeye salmon and rainbow trout.

A time to avoid if you are in a vehicle but to flock to on a bicycle, on foot or even roller skates is Ride the Rim Day.

It is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 in 2022.

Two Ride the Rim Days were scheduled in 2021 but were cancelled by Covid.

Parts of the park are open during the winter depending on the weather.   Boat tours are offered in the summer.

Check out the Crater Lake website for current information and the semiannual park newspaper called Crater Lake Reflections.

How to Get There:

From the north on Interstate 5 take Highway 138 out of Roseburg and head east up the winding North Umpqua River.  The road turns south before you get to Diamond Lake and goes past it.  Turn right into Crater Lake National Park.

From Medford and the south on I-5 you can get on Highway 62 and wander north up the Rogue River before veering east at Union Creek into the west entrance of the park.

From Highway 97 to the east you can hop on 138 at Diamond Lake Junction and take a 15-mile drive to where you turn left into the park.

From Klamath Falls and the south on Highway 97 take Highway 62 before you get to Chiloquin and drive northwest into the park's south entrance.

Text and bottom two photos by Tim Clinton. Top photo by Jeff Clinton.