Harts Cove Trail, August 28

The Harts Cove Trail is located within the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area.  I had been reading about the area but was unsure of the trail so before venturing into the unknown Joel and I stopped at the Hebo Ranger station to get some information on the trails.  We had wanted to hike the Cascade Head trail but parts of it were closed, so it was a good thing we checked and the ranger recommended the Harts Cove Trail as a good alternative.

Cascade Head Scenic Research Area includes an experimental forest which was established in 1934 as a study of typical coastal Sitka spruce-western hemlock forest found along the Oregon Coast and is also within the Siuslaw National Forest.  The forested ecosystems include young and mature stands of Sitka spruce-western hemlock some 150 years old.

The trail is steep in places and about 6 miles round trip...all down and all back up.

The old growth trees are huge.

 The trail is very well maintained and very lush. ...lots of ferns and tropical type plants.

And there were other growths like these fungi:

 This one was brilliantly orange

The first views of the Cascade Head as you come out of the trees on to a huge coastal meadow :

 Harts Cove and water fall

 This rock had a herd of seals or sea lions on it. We couldn't tell which, because they were so far away. Note the fog bank, just sitting at the horizon.

 We hike most of the way down in the misty fog, but by the time we reached the end of the trail, the mist had cleared and we had a beautiful spot for lunch.

The hike back up...straight up...wasn't much fun for Joel, but we made it. Next we headed over to Depoe Bay, noted as the world's smallest harbor.  It is a few miles down the road, and a place Joel was familiar with.  He says it would be a great kayaking area.

 Yep, its pretty small and narrow.

 The marina.

We decided to stop and the Sea Hag for a bowl of clam chowder to warm us up as it was starting to get a little chilly and then headed back to camp.

Another great day on the coast.