Hitting the Coast, Part One: Indian Beach and Ecola Point

There is something to not being behind the wheel, something that allows you to see the other traffic, to cut through forests and see the trees, to watch the land rise and fall, to study the narrow road without the worries of anticipating the oncoming car. It's that something which led us to not rent a car but instead to take a tour to the Pacific Coast.

Sean, our guide with Sea to Summit, picked us at our hotel. Entering the van, we met Bruce and Jodi, a couple from New York, who was also taking the Pacific Coast tour. After an hour or so drive west out of Portland and over the coastal range, we arrived at our first stop in Ecola State Park, Indian Beach.

As the five of us headed down to the sand, the weather proved to be good, near 70 with sun and patches of clouds. Though, particularly at Indian Beach, some fog would occassionally come rolling onshore.



Pacific Fog in the Late Morning

Taking its name from the fact that Indians once had a settlement at a small bluff overlooking the sand, Indian Beach might not be Cannon Beach, but many people frequent the area. Even early on Friday, dozens of people were milling around, not only above on the bluff in the parking lot and the forest trails, but also below on the sand. Several were also in wet suits and carried boards. Our guide Sean, well-acquainted with the local land and water, mentioned that the beach was popular for beginning surfers.

The next shot shows the treeline and a creek which runs down and into the ocean. To the left side of the image is the bluff where the Indian village stood.



Towards the Trees

Here's a closer look of the creek with the sand and the Pacific Ocean in the background.



The Creek, Indian Beach

You'll notice, in the background, some large rock formations in the ocean. The monoliths, as Sandra likes to call them, are common in the area and give this stretch of Oregon coast its own unique flavor.

After several minutes, we headed back to the van and drove to Ecola Point, appropriately named as it juts into the ocean. With several good viewing areas, the point is definitely a good spot to soak up the smells, the sounds, and the sights. It can definitely put a smile on someone's face.



Sandra at the Point

From Ecola Point, you can look south and see Cannon Beach and Haystock Rock or out west to the ocean. You can also turn north and view Indian Beach.



Indian Beach from Ecola Point

North of Indian Beach, the land extends further into the ocean. I thought this was a great view of the land with the maritime layer (fog) over the sea.


Land, Sea, and the Mist