THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019 // 7
National
Outdoors Day
8 places, events
to see and do on
By JONATHAN WILLIAMS
COAST WEEKEND EDITOR
N
ational Outdoors Day is the perfect opportunity to make good on plans to hit the
trail or beach. • The annual event, happening on June 8, is to encourage people
to get outdoors and have fun. • Here are eight places and events to consider on
the North Coast when making plans to get outside this weekend.
The Fort to Sea Trail
The 6.5-mile (13.5 mile down and back)
Fort to Sea Trail from Fort Clatsop to Sunset
Beach that Lewis and Clark once walked
during the winter of 1805-06 features spectac-
ular views that are especially beautiful in the
summer.
Journey through vast swaths of Sitka spruc-
es, over streams and ferns and open fi elds to
golden grass and shimmering sand at Sunset
Beach.
Ecola State Park
Located in Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park
off ers stunning views of the Pacifi c Ocean,
Haystack Rock, an abandoned lighthouse and
miles of beach.
Enjoy a hike on one of the park’s trails or
catch some rays on Indian Beach and explore
the tidepools and view wildlife.
Hikes at the park include the 2.5 mile his-
torical Clatsop Loop Trail as well as an 8-mile
segment of the Oregon Coast Trail.
Oswald West State Park
Just 10 miles south of Cannon Beach off of
U.S. Highway 101, this park features remark-
able views and tranquil scenery.
It features many trails and you can also hike
to Cape Falcon and Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain
from the park.
Short Sand Beach at the park off ers views
The Sandcastle Contest in Cannon Beach draws master and amateur sand sculptors.
of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve, a protected
ocean and marine habitat.
55th Annual Sandcastle Contest
The oldest competition of its kind in the Pa-
cifi c Northwest, the Cannon Beach Sandcastle
Contest on Saturday, June 8, off ers profes-
sionals, amateurs and families the chance to
sculpt the best sandcastle. Those on Masters
division teams even compete for cash prizes.
Whether spectating or competing, the
Sandcastle Contest is the perfect time to hit
the beach and witness creativity and fun
unfold.
The Fort to Sea Trail.
The contest starts at 9:30 a.m. and judging
begins at 2:30 p.m. Live music starts at 7 p.m.
and a bonfi re runs from 8-10 p.m.
Cape Disappointment State Park
Located on the coast of Ilwaco, Wash., Cape
Disappointment State Park off ers gorgeous
views of the coast, lighthouses, Columbia
River and the Pacifi c Ocean.
On Saturday, June 8, at 7 p.m. blues and
jazz artists Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons kick
off the Waikiki Beach Summer Concerts series
Continued on Page 13