Cape Falcon Hike

Overview

This is a short hike through a forest of huge Sitka spruce trees to a lava headland that offers views south to Neahkahnie Mountain. Hikers should note that this very popular section of the Oregon Coast Trail, while short, is highly eroded in many spots, with numerous twisted, exposed roots to negotiate. Much of the tread is muddy most of the year, so tennis shoes are not appropriate. Wear appropriate footwear and proceed carefully! Start at the Cape Falcon Trailhead on the Cape Falcon Trail. The trail runs along the side of a forested ridge above Short Sand Creek. Soon the highway noise is replaced by the sounds of small birds and wind in the trees. You'll come to a signed trail junction at the half-mile mark. Turn right and follow the trail toward Cape Falcon. (You may wish to make a short detour down to Short Sand Beach and Smuggler's Cove before you continue out to Cape Falcon.) You're now on a scenic section of the Oregon Coast Trail. The trail is often muddy in the spring as it weaves through damp areas filled with skunk-cabbage. There's a culvert over Kerwin Creek and then more forest. Farther along, there's a crossing over an unnamed creek. The trail here was relocated when a huge spruce blocked the path. Today's trail is a bit rough, but easily passable. Soon after you begin to hear the ocean surf, you'll come to a large slide zone. A slanted cliff here marks the boundary of the area that slid into the sea. The trail drops about 60 feet to the low spot of the hike at Blumenthal Creek. Just past this creek, there's a short side trail to a viewpoint of the upper tier of Blumenthal Falls. This tiny waterfall is very scenic as the water cascades down a basalt slope. The side trail is sketchy, but it goes to the base of the upper tier and the lip of the larger lower tier. From here the creek falls directly onto the rocky shoreline. Back on the main trail, continue toward the end of Cape Falcon. The trail climbs through a switchback, and then weaves in and out of a couple of meadows completely filled w

Trail Stats

Photos

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500px-CapeFalconMap

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TKO put tools to trail here.png

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