Ecola to Indian Beach

 

One of my many goals for this site is to share our outdoor experiences with our German shepherd dog. As dog friendly Oregon is, you can still experience a little frustration incorporating your animal into some adventures… esspecially when it’s time for lunch and a pint.

No pints (of microbrew) on this trip, but a worthwhile venture none the less.

Two weekends ago we took a day trip out Highway 26 west to the beach. Among other things a day trip to the coast can offer, I specifically wanted to hike from Ecola State Park to Indian beach (just North of Cannon Beach). I did this years ago with my father and I remember it being a lot more difficult than it really was for us this time around. I suppose part of this had to do with the fantastic weather.  I remember my dad and slipping all over the place and the veiws lacking distance.

This is a relatively easy, and very enjoyable hike.  I think its only 1.5 miles each direction. Steep backs, dramatic cliffs, and a well maintained trail. Perfect with a dog.

You start at Ecola State park. It’s a quick right a few miles down Hwy 101 from 26 west out of Portland.

Once parked, we took a quick walk south towards the viewpoint and picnic areas to take a peak at that famous view looking down over Cannon Beach. It was fairly crowded that day, but that I feel like I’ve seen this picture dozens of times on postcards, which makes all the sense world what you’re actually standing there.

We started the hike off leash but quickly hitched Gunner up when I saw the trail.  It was less for other people and more for his safety.  He’s an agile dog, but still a bit bumbly.

You can see in a few these photographs that views are fantastically dramatic. It was like that almost the entire way up and down through the valleys.

Over a draw, up a little spur, …and there you are again staring into another million dollar view.

At one point we started to see the lighthouse that is a couple miles off of Indian beach. The closer we got to the lighthouse the more you could see of the beach.

It became evident we were close once we steered away from the cliff and started moving down into the valley.

Indian Beach is just spectacular. This is certainly one of the Pacific Northwest’s gems. It’s a postcard, and remarkably dog friendly (and surfer friendly)

There were multiple animals on the beach and I didn’t get a single dirty stare for having Gunshow off leash.  He’s no Pit Bull but I still feel some apprehension from bystanders occasionally, though it’s more often a smile.

I like these tide pools because the dog can get wet and I don’t have to worry all that much about him getting sucked out to sea, or getting rolled over by a big dead drift log. Standard fears of young parent, I’m sure.

Eventually we got our fill and the dog was looking exhausted, so we turned back and headed up the spur.

Rating?  9 out of 10.  I’d highly recommend it to anyone… but if the opportunity exists, go on a weekday.

 the Oregon Coast…  can’t really fail here.