Oregon Coast Trip- Salmon River and estuary

"In 1974, Congress established the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area with the mission of maintaining and restoring native habitat, enhancing the scenic qualities of the area and educating us on the sensitive relationship between humans and our environment. It’s located just four miles north of Lincoln City and is home to more than 350 species of wildlife, four of which are considered endangered.
The Salmon River Estuary makes up a small part of this 9,670-acre sanctuary. Restoration of the estuary has been ongoing since the 1970’s with the removal of artificial dikes and other infrastructure, filling ditches, realigning streams and reestablishing tidal flow, and planting native species. Much of the destruction of the native habitat occurred in the late 1960’s due to the Pixieland Amusement Park and the Tamara Quay Trailer Park, both of which are gone now.
More than half the estuary is now native tidal marsh providing a critical juncture between fresh and salt water, supporting numerous forms of life and aiding in the spawning migration of fish. Estuaries are important “nurseries” for young salmon." Arrive by 9:30 am for a 10 am start time. We will start by paddling to the beach. We will paddle against the tide, but a short distance (about a mile), break for lunch, then paddle to the estuary (following the tide), finish in the estuary after 2:32 pm., and ride the tide back to the boat ramp.

There is no parking fee and vault restrooms. The single car parking area, near the restrooms, can get crowded, because of the hiking trails for Cascade Head. Double park in the boat trailer parking. There will be a few Crab Fishermen, with boat trailers. This trip is for intermediate paddlers. There will be tide and possibly wind to deal with.