Oregon Trip 2012 Day 3 part 2

 

Part 1 of day 3 was running really long, so I had to split today into two posts.

On the way back from Florence we decided to explore Cape Perpetua.

Fog in the trees. This is the view from the parking lot of the visitor center, which we once again, just missed. I was a little disappointed as there was a specific feature I was looking for this year that we missed the last time we were here. No matter we decided to go out and explore the area.

We parked at the trailhead for the Devils Churn, last time we were here we just went straight down for it, This time,because I was looking for something specific, we took the longer more scenic route. 

Here is a view of the bay on the other side.

The long way around the point here on this rocky lava bed beach was kind of freaky. Don’t get me wrong if for one second I thought I was going to get hit by a wave and possibly get swept out to sea, I would have turned around, but this is one of those areas where the full force of the ocean is prominently on display.

Here is where the ocean starts to crash into Devils Churn.

View from about 3/4 of the way in. This is about where the other trail lets you out. I think I prefer the long way.

And a view looking towards the end of it. Even though the ocean seemed to be churning in much more violently today than it was last time we were here, still no amazing splash up at the tip.

I really like how high the waves were splashing up near the mouth of the churn. Unfortunately with how foggy it is it’s kind of hard to tell. Still fun.

I like watching the sea water stream down the rocks, like little waterfalls.

I didn’t get a picture on the way down, but a lot of the trails in this area are like wandering around a hedge maze. It’s cool!

The churn from above.

The fog at times can destroy some pictures, but at other times creates some of the most amazing pictures as well. I love it!

Some flowers. The 2nd image I couldn’t get in close enough as this was off trail, on a cliff, but I am almost certain those are wild orchids. maybe I am crazy.

The trail under the forest. I think I captured this better last time we were here.

We emerge from the woods at the other side of the little cape at Cooks Chasm and what is the first thing I see? The Spouting Horn is active right now! Heck yea! Last year I had hoped to see something, anything come of this and did not have any luck.

These 3 images show a quick beginning and end of the horn.

And here it is with more of Cooks Chasm showing.

And lookie what else I finally found! Thors Well! This is not on ANY of the signage around here. I am not sure if it is a newly discovered feature, or if its dangerous enough that they don’t want people going to explore it.

 

I caught I higher splash up in Cooks Chasm than I did in Devils Churn.

Thors Well

Quick series of images, that would probably make a better animated gif that shows the well fill up and drain back down. Obviously this is a large opening in the lava beds that fills in with the large waves but it is really cool. I was hoping to catch it with better lighting, but maybe next time.

and a quick extended exposure. This is precisely what I was drawn to this for, the capture a ring of a waterfall. Again, I would have preferred better lighting, but I will take what I can get.

Now we return to the spouting horn.

I think this is better viewed by video so, I pulled out the phone and got a video of it.

I could have wandered around here forever but it was getting late, and foggy, and I would really rather be back to the hotel before dark in case the fog got thicker. (Been there done that. Traveling highway 101 at night in a thick fog is NOT fun.) As it was, we ended up staying a lot later than we had planned. So we wandered back to the car.

Love this area. I really should have returned before we left the coast.

The bridge in Newport that I really hate crossing, but had a better time in the fog. All 3 DBP images.

After an adventurous day we hung out in the hotel and shared stories of our days adventures. Mom and dad returned to Devils Punchbowl (which we have done quite a few times) and Odie, the crazy one, who was left behind by the rest of us decided to attempt to climb the steep slopes near the hotel. yea, he didn’t get very far because the undergrowth is so thick. This after I wondered about the crazy people that must have bushwhacked the trail we did earlier today at Sweet Creek Gorge. It’s so thick, I don’t know if I would be adventurous enough to be the one to cut through and find a way but am thankful to the people who did, and the people who maintained it. Odie tried, but did not have the tools. Hah, that's my little brother.

Cape Perpetua has quite a lot of things to do, and several trails which we have yet to explore, but just given the trails we did explore, I am also going to give this area a squirrely rating of a perfect 10. Arrive during or at least near high tide and wonders await you.

We have a few more days on the coast to explore so stay tuned!