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The Oregon Coast is a sight to be seen. Known as the People’s Coast for its unique public access, the scenic vistas and rocky shores are endlessly connected by numerous hiking trails up and down the coastline. Since 2018, TKO has teamed up with Oregon Coast Visitors Association and many other partners in a concerted effort to build a trail stewardship movement for the Oregon Coast Trail and connective trails systems.
Three sections of the OCT will remain closed until at least spring 2023 due to extensive trail damage from a severe windstorm in 2020. TKO is actively pursuing capacity to support trail restoration and building ways for communities to get involved in opening these closed sections:
Each year, we see winter storms cause blowdown and slides. The OCT and its feed trails need to have a strong stewardship partner to respond so that these trails can remain!
The Oregon Coast Trail is made up of ten trail segments that run the length of Oregon’s 363-mile coastline. Well suited to both day hikers and thru-hikers alike, this is a trail unlike any other—exploring dramatic coastal headlands, picturesque beaches and a diversity of park and public lands by day, and connecting the amenities of Oregon’s colorful coastal towns throughout the journey. Roughly 200 miles uses the beach and 155 miles is along completed inland trails. Some sections — about 40 miles, or 10 percent of the entire route — are disconnected, inconvenient, unsafe or inaccessible during certain seasons. These are identified as “gap sections” and TKO is primed to step up and help to solve these gaps with new hiking trail advocacy and development. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, federal land managers, local governments and trail advocates are all working together to close these gaps.
The trail down to Harts Cove is a spur trail from the Oregon Coast Trail that runs through this region of Cascade Head, within the Siuslaw National Forest just north of Lincoln City. The Harts Cove trail puts you on the edge of a cliff looking down into a churning inlet fed by a narrow waterfall known as Chitwood Creek Falls. Seabirds, seals, and sea lions can often be seen in the area, and the walk to Harts Cove takes you through some lush old-growth stands of hemlock and Sitka spruce. Here in eras past, massive lava flows entered the Pacific Ocean. Now millennia later, the high winds and storms have prevented the growth of forest and the land is dominated by flowers and grasses. This meadow exemplifies one of the rarest ecosystems in Oregon, the marine headland meadow. This habitat is critical to several key species, including the endangered Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta), while the surrounding forest harbors spotted owls and nesting marbled murrelets. The trail is closed for half of the year to protect these threatened species.
TKO is taking a wholistic approach to the Oregon Coast Trail and its many system trails that cross and loop off to so many beach access points and scenic sites.
Every spring, Trailkeepers of Oregon Trail Ambassadors head out onto some of Oregon’s most well-loved trails to welcome visitors and share important information about the trail, hiking safety, Leave No Trace, local flora and fauna, and more. We’ve added more locations to our repertoire for this season and we need your help to meet the growing demand on our trails!
Happy Holidays Trailkeepers,
The TKO Legacy Builders end-of-year campaign is coming to a close on December 31st. We are so proud that this campaign is fueled by a grassroots donor base that builds a kick start of support for a new year. Our approach continues to be that everyone in their own way is a Trailkeeper – giving time, giving passion, or giving dollars. Each of these contributions amount to more protection and enhancement of Oregon’s hiking trails.
From Latourell Falls to Mosier Plateau, TKO volunteers put in 6,171 hours (257 days!) in the Columbia River Gorge throughout 2023 ensuring your favorite trails remain ready to welcome you on your adventures. Read on for fun insight on the wide variety of trails and projects that you, our community, helped us to pursue!
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351