Sunset Beach to Necanicum Estuary Hike

Overview

Clatsop Beach stretches all the way from the South Jetty and ends at the estuary of the Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek in Gearhart. Unfortunately, most of the beach part of this walk is open to vehicles, the exception being Necanicum Spit, which is a snowy plover nesting area. The beach can also be crowded on summer weekends; even so, there is a wealth of wildlife here, including pelicans, gulls, and terns. Look for seals periscoping from the waves and scoters bobbing in the surf. The Necanicum Estuary offers its own unique plant life and is a quiet haven from the crowds. During the fall and spring migrations, these flats play host to thousands of shore birds, including sandpipers, plovers, whimbrels, and curlews. From the Sunset Beach parking area, take the 1/3 mile walk through shore pine woods, over two footbridges and through the dunegrass to a viewing platform. Then head out on to the beach and begin walking south. In summer, you will see pelicans, gulls, and Caspian terns sitting close to the water’s edge. There are no creeks and just a few puddles to hop at low tide. This is a cars-allowed beach, but most people drive onto the sand and park near the access point. Pelicans dive into the surf and, on a warm day, boogie boarders and kite boarders catch the waves. Paragliders also take off from this beach. Terns flap past with small fish in their beaks. Pass the road access at Del Ray Beach State Recreation Site and continue past a third vehicle access as the beach homes of Gearhart appear behind the grassy dunes. Keep going to the mouth of the Necanicum River, with the wide flat beach at Seaside spreading beyond and Tillamook Head looming on the horizon. Brown pelicans like to congregate at the mouth of the river. Walk around Necanicum Spit, a snowy plover nesting area, and along the edge of the Necanicum Estuary, which the Necanicum shares with Neawanna Creek. Flocks of Caspian terns and Heerman's and Western gulls hang out on the mudflats. Along the verge, you can look for estuarine plants: orache,

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