Boardman State Scenic Corridor

The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor  

The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor begins just north of Harris beach and extends approx.  12 miles up the coast.  The Oregon Coast Trail winds along Route 101 the length of Boardman Park.  Many beaches and rocky shores line this beautiful coast.  It is some of the best hiking I’ve ever done &  I’ve been hiking in many wild and wonderful places for about 60 years.  In addition to the places I describe, there are miles of good hiking all along this coast.  

Be careful & try not to fall off cliffs, it is a hassle to rescue you or recover your body.  Remember it is easier to climb up rocks than climb down.  Quite a few people have to be pulled off cliffs every year after they get stuck.

Lone Ranch Beach is approx. 2 mi north of Brookings.  The steep drive from 101 takes you down to  a really nice parking area approx 20 ft. above the beach. The main beach is quite wide with a long,  1.5 mi. crescent  shape studded with rocks of all sizes on shore & off shore.  The  Oregon Coast Trail goes uphill near the south end of the beach.  I recommend taking the trail up to the saddle.  You can access the top of the really big on shore rock with fantastic views if you wish. Then go down the other side of the saddle to a pair of rock walled beaches.  

Top: Lone Ranch Looking South,  Below: Lone Ranch Looking North with Cape Ferrelo

There is also a narrow opening at the south end of the beach between hugh rocks that allow you access to a long narrow beach with really cool near shore rocks  These are very striking, large rocks are staggered near shore and are fun to climb on at low tide.  This is also a great place for tide pooling.  This beach ends at steep cliffs approx 200 yards south of Lone Ranch Beach.

Crossing a small stream at the north end of the beach you will find yourself a the base of Cape Ferrelo.  A rocky head land looming approx. 150 ft above the Pacific Ocean.  There are scramble trails & the Oregon Coast Trail goes over it & has a loop that takes you out to the point were you can see miles of the coast both north & south.  There is a small parking area that allows access without the climb approx. .3 mi. north of Lone Ranch Beach’s drive on 101.   This cape is great!  I recommend hiking up from the beach, but its an almost level (a few dips) hike, aprox .5 mi to the Cape.

Cape Ferrelo

During foggy or misty days I like to go hiking on Cape Ferrelo, with my dog Moosh, dressed in a brown, Jedi Cloak with a large hood which hides my face, sun glasses, high lace up leather books, & a toy light saber hanging from my belt.  I always tell the people I run into that they have a nice planet & I hope they’ll be able to keep it that way.  This is an old game from the 70s called Mind Messing.

Approx. another .5 mi. north on 101 is the Rock House Viewpoint.  It has a memorial to Samuel H. Boardman, a small parking lot & great views up & down the coast.  This is one of the best overlooks for those with limited walking abilities, as the overlook is just a few steps up from the parking area.  They call it house rock because it looks like a house from out at sea.

Enjoy Whales Head Rock - next post.