About us
This group is for nature lovers and photographers who like to soak in the moment, ID plants, birds, and wildflowers, pick up rocks, commune with waterfalls, meet wildlife, practice mindfulness, or just feel like taking it easy today. Our hikes are short and sweet and we incorporate a lot of pauses.
We take full advantage of full moons, eclipses, meteor showers, sunrises, sunsets, meteorological phenomena, low tides, king tides, bird migrations, whale migrations, salmon runs, elk ruts, wildlife viewing, peak wildflower blooms, fall colors, plant and tree ID, prime rockhounding spots, unique natural features, waterfalls, nature instruction, meditation, gardens and gardening, and weird stuff around the Portland periphery.
Membership denotes agreement to:
Be 18 years or older, leave all pets at home, be vaccinated for COVID, and refrain from smoking/vaping, alcohol, and/or any recreational drugs during our time together.
Always check your email and the event page of the hike you've signed up for to see if there are any last minute changes. Sudden weather developments are often a factor, especially in winter.
Update your RSVP if your plans change. Be advised: 3 No Shows and you will be asked to find another hiking Meetup.
Get there early. Events start at the time posted, so give yourself plenty of time to find a parking spot, pay the parking/entrance fee if there is one, gear up, use the restroom, pay your event fee, and be ready to go. Leave at least 15 minutes early for nearby events and 30 minutes early if the drive is going to be over an hour. Don't rely on GPS, a lot of our meeting spots are remote and/or unnamed, so read the directions in the event description carefully.
Read the WHOLE event description.
Let the Organizer know if you prefer not to have your photograph posted or tagged online. Privacy is important to us, so if you find your image has made it into the photo albums, contact the Organizer and it will be removed, no questions asked.
Take responsibility for your own safety, comfort, and enjoyment and understand that the Organizer is not liable for any incidents that may befall you leading up to, during, or following the event.
Understand that all proceeds go to the Organizer's expenses, including Meetup subscription, parking passes, park entrance fees, and gas. The Oregon Donkey Sanctuary event donates half the proceeds of that event to the sanctuary.
Refund Policy: If you are attending an event and it is unable to proceed as planned due to unforeseen events beyond the Organizer's control, a refund will be offered during that event. Refunds will not be issued after the conclusion of the event.
See you out there!
Upcoming events
1
- $10.00
Devil's Cauldron, Treasure Cove, and Coffee
Location not specified yet***DRIVING DIRECTIONS AT BOTTOM***
Time to get your Pirates of the Caribbean on. Treasure Cove is, bar none, the most brutal and beautiful overlook on the Oregon Coast. A promontory of basalt juts out 200' above the water like the prow of an ancient ship. Gigantic slabs of rock 20 million years old lurch back from the wind on either side while waves detonate inside arches and hidden caves below. You can get right up to the terrifying edge or linger safely above it all on a green field dotted with wildflowers. And that's just the first trail spur.
The second one leads to a dramatic peek down a 300' drop into Devil's Cauldron where waves explode against Cube Rock and disintegrate within a hidden cove. There's a safety railing here (the place has a dark history) and a bench where you can sit and contemplate the eternity of the Pacific Ocean. And watch for gray whales. Again, you don't have to get right up to the dizzying edge, the view is quite splendid from further back.
We'll meet in the Elk Flats Trail parking lot and do both trail spurs out and back for a total of about one mile. The trail has moderate incline in spots, very high salal and weeds in others, and a short traverse across a muddy drainage, so wear hiking pants and bring the bug spray and trekking poles. No restroom on site, but some cover on trail, (if you know what I mean) and public restrooms nearby (see bottom). No parking fee.
On the way to Cannon Beach, we'll pull over at the Silver Point Interpretive Overlook to get a look at the sea stacks Silver Point and Jockey Cap. Bring the binoculars because there's often a bald eagle on the top, surveying the snacks.
Finally, we'll reconvene at Fresh Foods (3401 S Hemlock St. Tolovana Park, OR 97145) in Cannon Beach for coffee and lunch. They are a full grocery with amazing snacks, cheese, chocolate, and ready-made deli items with an inside coffeeshop offering up Sleepy Monk Coffee along with pastries and hot and cold sandwiches. Indoor seating and outdoor benches, restroom on site.
You are welcome to linger in town afterwards and do a little shopping or visit the beach, just know that weekend parking gets a little...interesting...after noon.
Bring $10 cash, binoculars, photography equipment, trekking poles, water bottle, and WEATHER appropriate clothing. Lookouts are exposed to sun and wind. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.***DRIVING DIRECTIONS***
Take Highway 26 west (watch out for the dangerous bump at mile marker 13) and go south on Highway 101 past Cannon Beach and Arch Cape. You'll go through a tunnel. About 4.5 miles past the tunnel is a gravel pull off on the right a with a sign for Elk Flats. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV. No parking fee.PUBLIC RESTROOMS NEAR TRAILHEAD:
Cannon Beach: 195 N Spruce St
Tolovana Park: 3288 Pacific Ave
Manzanita: 165 5th St, 31 Laneda Ave, and 280 Pacific Lane1 attendee
Past events
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