potpourri
Seal Rock
Satisfy your first for adventure
A moderate, mile-long hike offering
the chance to explore exposed tide pools,
the wrack line and rock formations and
discuss marine organisms and tidepool
ecology along the way. This path has some
moderately steep sections and can be slick.
Dogs permitted on a 6-foot leash. Not
recommended for strollers.
Whether New Year’s Day is the first of
many outdoor adventures or your one and
only foray into the wilds before retreating
under a blanket to wait out the winter —
Oregon State Parks has you covered.
Rangers at 31 parks across the state
will be putting their best foot forward on
Wednesday, Jan. 1, for First Day Hikes,
sharing details about each area’s history,
geology, wildlife and plants. All hikes
are free and day-use parking fees will be
waived.
While online registration isn’t required
for participation, visitors are encouraged to
sign up at https://store.oregonstateparks.
org to help organizers plan appropriately.
Walkers should prepare for inclement
weather, dress in layers, wear sturdy
shoes, bring water and remember to carry
binoculars for viewing wildlife.
Oswald West State Park •
Manzanita
Meet at the Cape Falcon trailhead, 8 am
A moderate, 5-mile hike starting at the
Cape Falcon Trail Head and heading to
the Kramer Memorial, which gives way to
a brilliant overlook of Short Sands Beach.
Choose to stay and enjoy the beach or
journey on to Cape Falcon and enjoy views
spanning from Tillamook Head to Cape
Cape Meares State Scenic
Viewpoint • Netarts
The Cape Meares Lighthouse
Lookout. Dogs permitted on a 6-foot leash.
Terrain not suitable for baby strollers past
Kramer Memorial.
Seal Rock State Recreation Site •
Seal Rock
Meet in the Seal Rock parking lot, 9:30 am
14 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • December 27, 2019
Meet in the Cape Meares parking lot, noon.
This easy hike will start with a quarter-
mile trail to the octopus tree that is
accessible for all users. From this point,
visitors looking for a longer hike can
continue on through the old growth
Sitka spruce forest to the junction with
Lighthouse Road and the Big Spruce
trail. From here, walkers can turn back
or continue to the Big Spruce Tree, the
largest Sitka spruce in Oregon. Those still
looking for more can continue north on
the Oregon Coast Trail a mile downhill
to the beach at the base of Cape Meares.
Visitors will learn about local lighthouses,
World War II history, get the chance to
watch for migrating Gray whales and more.
Dogs permitted on 6-foot leash. Strollers
are welcome on the first segment to the
Octopus Tree only.
More than
your garden-
variety class
There is still time to register for the
2020 series of OSU Extension Master
Gardener classes starting on Thursday,
Jan. 9, in Tillamook.
The Master Gardener Program
is a two-part educational effort in
which class members receive intensive
horticultural training and, in return,
volunteer with the OSU Extension
Service. Master Gardeners assist with
plant clinics, school and community
gardening, garden lectures and
demonstrations, as well as researching,
diagnosing and answering home
horticulture questions.
Tuition for the volunteer option is
$120 and includes the comprehensive
“Sustainable Gardening” book and
access to a wide range of printed and
online resources as well as experienced
professional instructors.
People who do not have the time or
desire to volunteer can take the training
for $240 and receive a certificate of
horticulture.
For more information or to register
for the classes, drop by the OSU
Extension Service at 4506 3th Street,
Tillamook, call 503-842-3433 or go
to https://extension.oregonstate.edu/
tillamook.