| Blacklock Point Date - 1/20/2008 Length - 7 miles Location - North of Port Orford, OR |
A large group of us from Eugene headed to the southern
Oregon Coast for a weekend of kayaking and hiking. I am
always amazed at how much different things are in southern
Orgeon even though it is only a two or three hour drive to
the south. The climate and geology is just different enough
to make for some different terrain and vegetation which is
always nice. After a full day of paddling on the Elk River we
decided to hike out to Blacklock Point and enjoy the large
sea cliffs and secluded black sand beaches that this little
visited and roadless part of the coast has to offer. We had a
big pasta dinner on Saturday and everyone slept in and let
the rain that moved in overnight die down. By teh time we
had finished breakfast, cleaned the room, and walked down
to the beach near where we were staying the weather had
cleared and a gorgeous day was shaping up. Michelle and I
headed out a little early with our dog Middie to enjoy some
quite peacefulness and we were not disappointed. Hiking
with Middie is more fun now that we can let her off of the
leash in places were we can keep track of her.
Oregon Coast for a weekend of kayaking and hiking. I am
always amazed at how much different things are in southern
Orgeon even though it is only a two or three hour drive to
the south. The climate and geology is just different enough
to make for some different terrain and vegetation which is
always nice. After a full day of paddling on the Elk River we
decided to hike out to Blacklock Point and enjoy the large
sea cliffs and secluded black sand beaches that this little
visited and roadless part of the coast has to offer. We had a
big pasta dinner on Saturday and everyone slept in and let
the rain that moved in overnight die down. By teh time we
had finished breakfast, cleaned the room, and walked down
to the beach near where we were staying the weather had
cleared and a gorgeous day was shaping up. Michelle and I
headed out a little early with our dog Middie to enjoy some
quite peacefulness and we were not disappointed. Hiking
with Middie is more fun now that we can let her off of the
leash in places were we can keep track of her.
The turn off for the trailhead is some distance north of Port Orford and not very well
marked, which helps keep this special spot fairly secluded. The nondescript
trailhead is marked with a sign and there are several options for parking. The trail
basically follows narrow old dirt roads through a small scrubby coastal forest
growing thick with rhododendron bushes and much undergrowth. The old roads
were constructed to access a sandstone quarry that existed somewhere in the
woods near here. Today trail maintenance is all that keeps these paths from being
reclaimed by the prolific growth of vegetation. The walking is very easy, but the clay
soil does not drain well and many deep puddles litter the trail. In places the pool
would block the route id side trails had not been made around them. This part of
the hike is pleasant, but unremarkable, although it would probably be really nice
when the rhododendrons are in bloom. We spotted several salamanders which
kind of cool.
Small signs mark the route and in general you stay keep bearing to the left to reach
Blacklock Point. Just when we were starting to think that the hike was not going to
be so great the sound of pounding surf grew louder and we approached the ocean.
A slight uphill leads to a large clearing under a dense canopy of scrubby
evergreens that make a kind of natural fortress. Continuing ahead through a break
in the trees brought us out into a spectacular grassy meadow at the top of
Blacklock Point. Clear skies, no wind, and temperatures in the fifties made this
some of the best weather that the Oregon Coast ever experiences. The view from
this headland is one of the best on the coast with Cape Blanco lighthouse to the
south, countless sea stacks with breaking waves, and distant views to the horizon.
Breaking waves sent blankets of mist rising up into the forest above the beach
below and made the trees look like the were giving off plumes of smoke. We sat for
about ten minutes and enjoyed being alone with only the constant rumbling of the
surf providing background noise. Such isolated spots on the coast are rare and we
felt lucky to have come out here on such a perfect day.
Soon the rest of the large group that we were with showed up and we spent some
time exploring the headland. A large rocky outcrop jutted into the sea and we
walked out the narrow ridge of this crumbling chunk for a better view. To the north
a band of sea cliffs stretched for several miles before beaches could be seen
again. To the south rock outcrops called Sea Stacks lat just offshore. The tallest
of these must have reached a hundred feet out of the water and shapes ranged
from sharks fins to castles. The waves were not very large, but their crashing was
still impressive.
marked, which helps keep this special spot fairly secluded. The nondescript
trailhead is marked with a sign and there are several options for parking. The trail
basically follows narrow old dirt roads through a small scrubby coastal forest
growing thick with rhododendron bushes and much undergrowth. The old roads
were constructed to access a sandstone quarry that existed somewhere in the
woods near here. Today trail maintenance is all that keeps these paths from being
reclaimed by the prolific growth of vegetation. The walking is very easy, but the clay
soil does not drain well and many deep puddles litter the trail. In places the pool
would block the route id side trails had not been made around them. This part of
the hike is pleasant, but unremarkable, although it would probably be really nice
when the rhododendrons are in bloom. We spotted several salamanders which
kind of cool.
Small signs mark the route and in general you stay keep bearing to the left to reach
Blacklock Point. Just when we were starting to think that the hike was not going to
be so great the sound of pounding surf grew louder and we approached the ocean.
A slight uphill leads to a large clearing under a dense canopy of scrubby
evergreens that make a kind of natural fortress. Continuing ahead through a break
in the trees brought us out into a spectacular grassy meadow at the top of
Blacklock Point. Clear skies, no wind, and temperatures in the fifties made this
some of the best weather that the Oregon Coast ever experiences. The view from
this headland is one of the best on the coast with Cape Blanco lighthouse to the
south, countless sea stacks with breaking waves, and distant views to the horizon.
Breaking waves sent blankets of mist rising up into the forest above the beach
below and made the trees look like the were giving off plumes of smoke. We sat for
about ten minutes and enjoyed being alone with only the constant rumbling of the
surf providing background noise. Such isolated spots on the coast are rare and we
felt lucky to have come out here on such a perfect day.
Soon the rest of the large group that we were with showed up and we spent some
time exploring the headland. A large rocky outcrop jutted into the sea and we
walked out the narrow ridge of this crumbling chunk for a better view. To the north
a band of sea cliffs stretched for several miles before beaches could be seen
again. To the south rock outcrops called Sea Stacks lat just offshore. The tallest
of these must have reached a hundred feet out of the water and shapes ranged
from sharks fins to castles. The waves were not very large, but their crashing was
still impressive.
Eventually we made our way to the beach stretching south
from Blacklock Point. While walking down the faint path we
passed several piles of shells that we later learned are part
of an archeological site here. Apparently Blacklock Point
had been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of
years and many projectiles have been found in the area.
Anyoe living here would have relied heavily on the sea for
nourishment, but would also have had easy access to the
forests of the interior and the plentiful salmon running up
the nearby Sixes River.
Once on the black sand beach we let the dogs play for a
while, but within an hour everyone else headed out to either
start the drive home or explore a waterfall on the otherwise
of the point. Michelle and I decided to walk south along the
beach to where the Sixes River emptied into the ocean. The
sun was bright and we wished we had not left our
sunglasses in the truck, but it was great to be out in such
incredible weather. Much driftwood was piled at the top of
the beach, but we were walking on clean sand. This is one
of the most pristine beaches I have seen and it felt so good
to see an undeveloped coastline. The steep sand beach
meant that waves were breaking just about on shore and
the constant thundering was quite peaceful.
Just when we reached the Sixes River I spotted movement
on the far shore and a group of ten seals was slipping into
the safety of the water. Surprisingly this elicited no reaction
from our dog Middie. For the next few minutes we watched
as the seals bobbed up and down while some headed out to
sea and some moved upriver. After ten minutes of this all
sign of the seals was gone and we started the walk back to
the point.
By now the tide had gone out and we explored some
exposed tide pools. Many barnacles and mussels adorned
the rocks and even found a large purple starfish solidly
glued to a rock. After lounging around for a few more
minutes we made the walk back up to the top of Blacklock
Point and headed back to my truck. This was a great
relaxing day and made me wish the weather was always so
agreeable on the Oregon coast.
from Blacklock Point. While walking down the faint path we
passed several piles of shells that we later learned are part
of an archeological site here. Apparently Blacklock Point
had been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of
years and many projectiles have been found in the area.
Anyoe living here would have relied heavily on the sea for
nourishment, but would also have had easy access to the
forests of the interior and the plentiful salmon running up
the nearby Sixes River.
Once on the black sand beach we let the dogs play for a
while, but within an hour everyone else headed out to either
start the drive home or explore a waterfall on the otherwise
of the point. Michelle and I decided to walk south along the
beach to where the Sixes River emptied into the ocean. The
sun was bright and we wished we had not left our
sunglasses in the truck, but it was great to be out in such
incredible weather. Much driftwood was piled at the top of
the beach, but we were walking on clean sand. This is one
of the most pristine beaches I have seen and it felt so good
to see an undeveloped coastline. The steep sand beach
meant that waves were breaking just about on shore and
the constant thundering was quite peaceful.
Just when we reached the Sixes River I spotted movement
on the far shore and a group of ten seals was slipping into
the safety of the water. Surprisingly this elicited no reaction
from our dog Middie. For the next few minutes we watched
as the seals bobbed up and down while some headed out to
sea and some moved upriver. After ten minutes of this all
sign of the seals was gone and we started the walk back to
the point.
By now the tide had gone out and we explored some
exposed tide pools. Many barnacles and mussels adorned
the rocks and even found a large purple starfish solidly
glued to a rock. After lounging around for a few more
minutes we made the walk back up to the top of Blacklock
Point and headed back to my truck. This was a great
relaxing day and made me wish the weather was always so
agreeable on the Oregon coast.
Michelle and Middie enjoying the view from Blacklock Point as mist rises into the trees above the
beach far below.
beach far below.
Blacklock Point is one of the western most places in Oregon and in the contiguous United States.
Sandstone cliffs line the shore to the north of Blacklock Point.
A different view of the tall sandstone cliffs lining the beaches to the
north of the point.
north of the point.
One of the ten or so seals we saw at the mouth of the Sixes River.
The coast the south of Blacklock Point is very rugged as seen by the numerous Sea Stacks rising
from the surf.
from the surf.
A colorful star fish clings to a rock in the harsh intertidal zone at low
tide during the end of our hike.
tide during the end of our hike.
Michelle and Middie enjoying the beautiful black sand beaches to the south of Blacklock Point.
Here I am standing with our dog in one of the meadows at the top of
the point near where the trail breaks out of the forest.
the point near where the trail breaks out of the forest.
Although Michelle is bundled up in this picture it was actually pretty warm out on the beach for
most of the day. Blacklock Point is the clear hill at the end of the beach.
most of the day. Blacklock Point is the clear hill at the end of the beach.
Michelle and I with Middie at the top of Blacklock Point.
Middie trying to rub off her gentle leader while I stand for a picture next
to a lone tree at the tip of Blacklock Point.
to a lone tree at the tip of Blacklock Point.
Michelle and I standing out at the tip of the point about a hundred feet above the ocean below.