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Ecola Point
As you enter the park, play your favor-
ite song and blast it through the speakers
in the car because the views only get more
stunning as the winding road cuts through
a Sitka spruce forest. The greens and
browns of the forest when freshly rained
upon are breathtaking.
As the trees get shorter and the road
opens up to a grassy picturesque field
overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it’s hard
not to believe such beauty and grace can
crash down so hard onto the rocks
below.
With views of the Tillamook Rock
Lighthouse known as “Terrible Tilly”
and rocky shores, it is almost as if you’ve
stepped into a real life painting where you
can feel the wind and a salty mist swirling
all around, dampening everything in sight.
The grey and navy blue hues of an Ore-
gon Coast winter are dark and ominous as
the waves crash on the sharp rock below
on Ecola Point.
Indian Beach
There’s no doubting why Indian
Beach is also a huge attraction in
Ecola. Picnic benches in the parking
lot overlook the beach. A small trail
leads down to the beach, which is full of
black rocks instead of sand. This is where
the waves prominently crash down. The
beach is quiet during the winter, leav-
ing visitors to wonder why there aren’t
more people out exploring the beautiful
landscape.
Clatsop Loop Trail
From the parking lot of Indian Beach,
Clatsop Loop Trail also offers a scenic two-
and-a-half mile loop trail. The trail is also
a part of the Lewis and Clark National His-
toric Trail.
This loop hike passes through Hikers’
Camp, and loops back to the parking lot
through a section of the Oregon Coast Trail.
The trail then loops back to the Indian Beach
parking lot with breathtaking views along the
way.
Captain William Clark and a small explo-
ration walked this path in 1806, searching
for a whale for the famed Lewis and Clark
Expedition.
The sunlight is scarce for a typical coastal
winter day. But when she peeks her head
through the clouds and makes the rocks,
water and mist sparkle, making for a magical
and almost shimmering view of the Pacific
Ocean.
Stay safe
Unexpected sneaker waves or large
waves are always something to be aware
of at the coast. Watch the incoming tides
when exploring tidepools, caves and on the
beaches.
Stay on the designated trails and do not
take shortcuts. A life is not worth the perfect
photo.
Mother Nature in all her glory should not
be trifled with. The crashing of the waves,
the salty air brushing the faces of her onlook-
ers. She is meant to be admired and cher-
ished as she is a force to be reckoned with,
and Ecola State Park is the perfect place to
bask in her beauty and glory from afar.
An active stream alongside the Clatsop Loop Trail.
Photos by Malia Riggs
A broken stump along the path to Indian Beach.
The view from Ecola Point.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 // 11