HART'S COVE IN THE FALL©

(Click on picture for an enlarged view.)

 

By Betty Langdon

 

Hart's Cove is in the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area of the Siuslaw National Forest.  To reach the trailhead drive North of Lincoln City on Highway 101 for about 3.3 miles to Cascade Head Road (FS Road 18610), which joins Highway 101 at the Siuslaw Forest summit on the left.  Drive to the end of the road to an unpaved parking area where the trailhead sign is clearly visible.  Cascade Head Road is closed from December 31 to July 16th.

 

Our hike began in the Fall on October 1, 2003.  The first half-mile or so of the trail is very steep, probably about a 25% descent.  For this reason it is classified in some hiking books as a difficult hike.  Last year railroad-tie sized pieces of wood were used to terrace the descent to prevent erosion and perhaps to assist hikers in their effort to maintain their footing.  The beginning of the trail is canopied with trees that prevent sunlight from filtering through, consequently it is very dark and ferns and other greenery are sparse.

 

After about a half-mile the trail levels off, the denseness of the trees dissipates and vision is improved.  This time of the year the wildflowers are almost entirely through blooming.  We spot one lonely Monkey Flower and a few patches of Siberian Lettuce.  Even without wildflowers the trail is still beautiful, Sitka Spruce, some over a hundred-fifty years old, and forest undergrowth becoming more and more lush as the hike continues.

 

 

 

Two creeks cross the trail: Cliff Creek and Chitwood Creek.  Normally both creeks have sturdy bridges stretched across them.  This year the Chitwood Creek Bridge has been completely destroyed by rushing storm waters and the consequent forest debris jamming its downward flow under the bridge.  Bright pink signs warn hikers that they cross the creek at their own risk.  Our hiking group wants to reach the headland prairie at the end of the trail so badly that we gingerly make our way across the debris on the creek bed.  Fortunately the creek water is now low so we make it across without incident.

 

Cliff Creek

 

 

 

Cliff Creek Bridge

Chitwood Creek Bridge

October 2003

 

        Hart's Cove abuts a coastal headland which takes a beating from winter storms, evidenced by downed trees and branches strewn about the forest floor.  

 

 

After hiking a little over two miles hikers come to one of the best payoffs in coastal hiking—a 10 acres almost treeless coastal prairie located on a headland overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the trail's namesake, Hart's Cove.  Unfortunately no matter what the weather may be like in other areas of the Central Coast, one can never be sure what it will be like on coastal prairies. This day it is foggy and overcast almost entirely obscuring a Westward view.  Even in this weather the view is well worth the trip and one never knows when the fog will lift and the sun will shine illuminating one of the most magnificent and pure views on the Oregon Coast.  But on this day that did not happen.

 

Earlier in the season the prairie is covered with fresh green plants such as grasses, wildflowers and shrubs.  The first hikers of the year must blaze paths through the plants sometimes waist high. In October we descend a path made by the hikers before us to a small stand of trees on a cliff on the Northern section of the prairie.  We eat our lunch and enjoy the view as we ready ourselves for the ascent back to the forest. 

 

View West from Prairie

View North from

Prairie Lunch Area

View South from

Prairie Lunch Area

 

        The view to the East is of Hart's Cove and the Chitwood Creek Falls.  This year the falls are comparatively sparse, probably for two reasons: it has been a very dry summer and the Creek's flow is impeded by the debris from the Chitwood Creek Bridge destruction jamming the Creek further up the trail.  One can wonder what will happen during the summer storms if the Bridge is not repaired.  The jam may wash down into the cove or the creek may overflow and wash out the trail.

 

Hart's Cove to the East

Entrance to Hart's Cove

Chitwood Creek Falls

In Hart's Cove

 

        After lunch and a rest, we ascend the prairie back to the forest and return to the trailhead on the same trail. 

View of Forest Trail

From Headland Prairie

 

The steep descent at the last one-half mile of a 5 1/2 mile hike is tiring.  In between gasps we count the switchbacks leading to the parking area, arguing how many there are.  By my count there are 7, someone else counts six, another insists there are at least 8.  Before we resolve the issue, we are back at the parking lot.

 

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