Cascade Head

AreaOregon Coast - Central
Best time to visitMid-May through mid-June
Blooming NowUnknown
Elevation500-1200 feet
Trail Info3.0 - 3.4 miles round-trip, 500 - 1200 feet elevation gain
 WILDFLOWER SEARCH
 Hike information - Oregon Hikers Field Guide
DogsPROHIBITED. Please respect this location by leaving your dog at home.

NOTE: The blue marker indicates the trailhead.

Description

As of March 2020 this location is closed due to COVID-19. For updates please check The Nature Conservancy`s Cascade Head page.

In addition to incredible views of Cascade Head and the Oregon Coast north (facing both north and south), the Preserve is a fine place to see wildflowers, some of which are fairly uncommon including: Coastal Paintbrush (Castilleja affinis), Blue Violet (Viola adunca), Streambank Lupine (Lupinus rivularis), Cascade Head Catchfly (Silene douglasii var. oraria), and Hairy Checkermallow (Sidalcea hirtipes).

In the early 1960s, farsighted volunteers organized an effort to protect Cascade Head from development. By 1966 they had raised funds to purchase the property, after which they turned it over to The Nature Conservancy, who now manages this beautiful area.

Directions

Take Highway 101 north of Lincoln City. One mile north of the junction of Highway 101 and Highway 18, turn left onto Three Rocks Road. Proceed on Three Rocks Road for two miles until you come to a T-junction with Savage Road. Turn left, and immediately turn left again into the parking area for Knight Park. There are pit toilets here.

NOTE: Dogs are not allowed anywhere within the Cascade Head Preserve!

The trail leads from the parking area and parallels Savage Road for 0.4 miles before ducking into the woods on the "real" trail. This continues for 1.0 miles until you reach the meadows.

From here you can climb another 0.4 mile (and 700 feet) to the upper viewpoint. But even if you are not up for the extra climb, you will find plenty of outstanding views.

Trip Reports

DateSubmitted by
Reports from previous years
05/17/2016Greg Lief
05/08/2016Greg Lief
05/27/2007Greg Lief
05/13/2007Greg Lief

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Photo Gallery


Cascade Head

Salmon Creek and the Pacific from Cascade Head


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'Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.' -- E. O. Wilson