where the forest meets the sea · st. perpetua trail (to cape perpetua day use) 2.8 miles round...
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CAPE PERPETUA SCENIC AREA HIKING TRAILS1. Captain Cook Trail (to tidepools) 0.8 mile round trip from the Visitor Center, past an old Civilian Conservation Corps camp, through wind
sculpted vegetation, around Indian shell middens and down to the tidepools. At high tide the Spouting Horn can be observed from Cook’s Chasm.
r Easy 2Accessibility: moderate to di� cult. Start at Cook’s Chasm
2. Cape Cove Trail (to beach) 0.3 mile. A� er coming through the tunnel from the Visitor Center on the Captain Cook Trail, turn right and go over the bridge into the parking lot—follow the roadside trail north to the Cape Cove Trailhead. � is trail will connect you with the Trail of the Restless Waters and Devils Churn.
r Easy
3. Trail of the Restless Waters (to Devil’s Churn) Paved 0.4 mile loop from Devil’s Churn Day Use. A wild place to see the winter surf as it explodes onto the terraces of volcanic rock. Don’t get too close to the edge; each wave hits the rocks di� erently and you don’t want to get soaked.
r Easy 2Accessibility: moderate to most di� cult. Wheelchair accessible to lower overlook
4. Giant Spruce Trail 2 miles round trip from the Visitor Center to a more than 500 year-old Sitka spruce tree. � e trail parallels Cape Creek and goes through a forest that has many of the characteristics of an old-growth forest; lush ferns, nurse logs, and big trees.
r Easy
5. St. Perpetua Trail (to Cape Perpetua Day Use) 2.8 miles round trip from the Visitor Center across � rst bridge into the campground, just to the le� of the campground bulletin board, and switchback up about 700 feet to the “Best View on the Oregon Coast”.
r Di� cult, but worth it!
6. Whispering Spruce Trail A .2 mile loop from the Cape Perpetua Day Use parking lot. Hike there via the St. Perpetua Trail or drive the two mile road to the top. Great ocean views from the West Shelter (built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s) and the stone parapet.
r Easy 2Accessibility: moderate to di� cult due to steep grade.
7. Oregon Coast Trail (ocean views) 2.6 miles round trip from the Visitor Center (start on the Captain Cook Trail). � is trail overlooks the rocky shoreline and ties into the Gwynn Creek and Cummins Creek Loop Trails.
rModerate
8. Cook’s Ridge & Gwynn Creek Loop Trail (old-growth forest) 6 mile loop trail includes four di� erent trails: Discovery Loop, Cook’s Ridge, Gwynn Creek and Oregon Coast Trails. Some ocean views and great old-growth forest experience. Trails begin in the Visitor Center’s uppermost parking lot.
r Moderate to di� cult
9. Discovery Loop Trail (a forest in transition) 1.4 miles round trip from the Visitor Center’s uppermost parking lot. Learn about what is going on with this section of forest from four interpretive signs.
rModerate
10. Cummins Creek Loop Trail (old-growth forest) 8.5 to 9 mile loop from the Visitor Center with some ocean views, great old-growth and open meadows. Trail may also be accessed from Forest Service Road 1050 or Forest Service Road 55.
rModerate to di� cult p Section open to mountain bikes (see map)
11. Amanda’s Trail (to Yachats Ocean Road) 2.9 mile (one way) historic trail begins at the junction of the Whispering Spruce trail and descends steeply through lush coastal woodland.
rModerate to di� cult
12. Cummins Ridge Trail (wilderness) 6.2 mile (one way) hike passes through dense Sitka spruce and Douglas-� r stands. Trail receives light use and o� ers opportunities for solitude and quiet. It can also be accessed from the top via Forest Service road 5594. rModerate
Cape PerpetuaScenic Areawhere the forest meets the sea
United States Department of Agriculture
Siuslaw National Forest
CAPE PERPETUA SCENIC AREA
Towering 800 feet over the protected Marine Garden shoreline, the Cape Perpetua Headland is the highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast. On clear days, views extend 37 miles out to sea, and along 70 miles of coastline. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, encompassing 2,700 acres of coastal habitat, was set aside for unique ecological characteristics found where the temperate spruce rainforest transitions to the sea.
Early explorer Captain James Cook � rst observed the headland in 1778 and named it a� er Saint Perpetua. In 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt formed the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Cape Perpetua became a base camp for young men to learn skills. Many of the campgrounds, trails, and plantings you see are the work of the CCC.
� e Scenic Area o� ers 26 miles of trail, featuring old-growth forests, Indian shell middens, the Devil’s Churn, tidepools and stunning views. Visitor Center sta� and exhibits will guide you to the cultural and natural history of the area.
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center is open seven days a week most of the year, with reduced hours in the winter. Friendly and knowledgeable sta� are available to answer questions and help plan your visit. Interpretive programs and guided walks are available in the summer or by prior arrangement.
Siuslaw National ForestCape Perpetua Scenic Area
� ree miles south of Yachats on Highway 101541-547-3289
www.fs.usda.gov/siuslawwww.facebook.com/SiuslawNFhttps://twitter.com/siuslawNF
For marine reserves information contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) at
541-867-4741 or http://oregonmarinereserves.com
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender
7
11
5
8
9
10
1050
6
To Florence
1
101
3
5553
55
2
8
8
10
4
1051
55
12
.7 mi
.3 m
i
Spouting Horn
Cook’s Chasm
Tidepools
Cape Cove Beach
Devil’s Churn
Cape Perpetua
1.4 mi
2.9 mi
Visitor Center Visitor Center
Day Use
Area
Devil’s Churn Info Center
Devil’s Churn Info Center
Giant Spruce
To Yachats
Neptune State Park
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
Cummins Creek
Gwynn Creek
1.1 mi
.2 mi loop
Thor’s Well
.4 mi loop
CAPE PERPETUA SCENIC AREA TRAILS
Inset Map
Cape Creek
.4 miloop
1 mi
2.6 mi
Little Cummins Creek
.9 mi
.3 mi
.3 m
i
Viewpoint.1 mi
Marine Reserve
North Marine Protected Area
US Highway
Forest Service Road
Visitor Center
West Shelter
Picnic Area
Open to Bicycles
Trail
Campground
Parking
Trail Number (see descriptions)
Handicapped Accessible
Restrooms
Trailhead
Cape Perpetua Trails101
1050
1
55
101
.3 mi
.2 mi.2 mi1.4 mi
1.4 mi
1.9 mi
1.7 mi
.4 mi
6.2 mi on e way
CAPE PERPETUA SCENIC AREA TRAILS
5 5553
55
Spouting Horn
Cook’s Chasm
Tidepools
Cape Cove Beach
North Marine
Protected Area
Cape Perpetua
1.2 mi
Visitor Center Visitor Center
Devil’s Churn Info Center
Devil’s Churn Info Center
Neptune State Park
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
Gwynn Creek
.2 mi loop
Thor’s Well
.4 mi loop
Cape Creek
.8 mi
101
Your day use fees help maintain the trail system. Thank you for leaving the �owers and tidepool animals for others to enjoy and for keeping your pet on a leash. Map not to scale; please see reverse side for mileage.
Day Use
Area
CAPE PERPETUA VISITOR CENTER INSET
3
611
2
18
7
8
9
4
.3 m
i
.3 mi
.3 m
i
.4 mi
To Yachats
Giant Spruce
.4 miloop
.2 mi
2.9 mi
.2 m
i
Marine Reserve
CAPE PERPETUA VISITOR CENTER INSET