Yaquina Head Hike

Overview

One of the jewels of the Oregon Coast, the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area offers a variety of short trails that can easily be combined into a half-day outing. The Yaquina Headland, the southernmost of the classic lava peninsulas resulting from 14-million-year-old Columbia Basalt Flows (Frenchman Springs Member), juts out into the ocean and provides a base for the 1873 Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Here you can also scope for gray whales during their migration seasons and observe the thousands of seabirds on Colony Rock. At the eastern end of the headland, a short stroll up a road leads to splendid views and the Coast Guard navigation tower at the top of Communications Hill. In between, other trails lead to the tide pools at Quarry Cove, the fascinating rounded stones of Cobble Beach, and the wildflower slopes and viewpoint atop Salal Hill. The central point for beginning this five-trail tour is at the Yaquina Head Interpretive Center Trailhead. 1. Quarry Cove: The trail heads out from the left (south) side of the visitor center and passes through a tunnel under the access road. There’s a viewpoint here with information signs. Go left from here, looking down on Quarry Cove. You might see surfers riding the waves at Agate Beach. Walk up some steps and then take a gravel trail alongside the road. At a junction, a trail leads right to Communications Hill. Keep straight for Quarry Cove. Steps lead down to a restroom and a parking area. Head to the right down the access road to the cove, a former quarry - no visitors are allowed to drive down here except for those with a handicapped permit. At the bottom, poke around the tide pools, a couple of which are artificial. There are guided tours of the pools spring into fall. An interpretive sign explains the crystalline basalt, basaltic breccia and columnar basalt formations. 2. Communications Hill: Return to the top and cross the road for the trail up to Communications Hill. This is actually a gravel road. Walk around a gate and past a sign for hang gliders and parag

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