2017 Portland: Cannon Beach and the Oregon Coast

Our first trip was to Cannon Beach, in particular Ecola State Park.

(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)

This was a beautiful, but hot day. Oregon was in a prolonged and record heat wave. We had been to Cannon Beach before -- I was here as early as in 1999 and as recently as last year, but most memorably, on our 2013 West Coast trip. This time, however, was the clearest I have ever seen Cannon Beach, although the heat-induced evaporation still created a mist over the ocean.


Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach

From the beach at Ecola State Park, Tillamook Rock Light shimmered through the water vapor in the distance, giving a rather impressionistic rendition. Other rock formations closer to shore, including the famous Haystack Rock, were more clear.


Tillamook Rock Light


Sea Arch


Haystack Rock


Rock

At low tide, the shellfish-encrusted rocks give the beach a different perspective.


Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach

In the tidal pools, colorful Sea Anemones, and even more colorful Sea Stars, competed for our attention.


Sea Anemone


Sea Anemone


Sea Anemone


Sea Stars


Sea Stars

Gulls also patrol the beach. This I believe is a Western Gull (though I am not that great with gulls).


Gull

After spending some time hiking the trails and walking on the beach at Ecola State Park, we drove a little further south along Highway 101 to a viewpoint to have a different look of Cannon Beach.


Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach


Rock

We would eventually drive down to Tillamook and sample its famous cheese before heading back to the city.


Tillamook Cheese


Tillamook Cheese



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