Long on Charm: Tillamook County's Short Beach
[Posted Aug. 2, 2011]
Story and photos by Niki Price • Oregon Coast TODAY
I could be doing you a disservice, telling you about the winding, handmade trail down to Short Beach. It’s one of those delightful places that, if you discover it on your own, can seem almost magical, conjured just for you. If you are a believer in serendipity, stop reading and wait for Short Beach to happen to you.
Too impatient for happenstance? Then read on.
Just south of Cape Meares State Scenic Area, there’s a stretch of beach with a small haystack rock and a healthy dose of agates and jasper. It has its own man-made waterfall, a concrete spillway that brings a small creek under the road, and out toward the sea. To the north, there’s a view of the Cape Meares Lighthouse. To the south, there are said to be sea caves, accessible during very low tides.
Short Beach was named not for its size, but for its proximity to Short Creek. Which, in turn, was named for a Tillamook County pioneer.
This quiet, rocky beach has always been attractive to beach explorers, but until 11 years ago, it was tough to reach. Hikers had to slowly edge down, and scramble up a bare and muddy hillside. Injuries were common, and during the summer the Netarts-Oceanside Fire Department was called there regularly.
Story and photos by Niki Price • Oregon Coast TODAY
I could be doing you a disservice, telling you about the winding, handmade trail down to Short Beach. It’s one of those delightful places that, if you discover it on your own, can seem almost magical, conjured just for you. If you are a believer in serendipity, stop reading and wait for Short Beach to happen to you.
Too impatient for happenstance? Then read on.
Just south of Cape Meares State Scenic Area, there’s a stretch of beach with a small haystack rock and a healthy dose of agates and jasper. It has its own man-made waterfall, a concrete spillway that brings a small creek under the road, and out toward the sea. To the north, there’s a view of the Cape Meares Lighthouse. To the south, there are said to be sea caves, accessible during very low tides.
Short Beach was named not for its size, but for its proximity to Short Creek. Which, in turn, was named for a Tillamook County pioneer.
This quiet, rocky beach has always been attractive to beach explorers, but until 11 years ago, it was tough to reach. Hikers had to slowly edge down, and scramble up a bare and muddy hillside. Injuries were common, and during the summer the Netarts-Oceanside Fire Department was called there regularly.
One local resident, Roy Wilson, decided to take action. Over several seasons, using any materials he could find, Wilson constructed a zig-zag path down the steep slope. He made some steps from railroad ties, others from driftwood and 2 by 4s, and brought gravel to the flat spots. He had some volunteer help, and a few donations, but the Short Beach steps are Wilson’s own contribution to life on the coast. Around Cape Meares and Oceanside, he’s known as “The Trail Guy.”
The railroad ties have made it safe, but it’s his use of found materials that makes Wilson’s path special. Along the way you’ll find overlooks made of driftwood, resting benches made from love seats, and a beach shack with plastic tub grottos and log stools. Old gates and fences, desk pieces and other miscellaneous wood parts are used, hither and yon.
If the love poetry, quotes and scratch-art are any indication, hikers use Wilson’s path all the time. In the grotto shrines, they leave small offerings like plastic film canisters, unusual pieces of wood and extra-special agates. The bigger treasures, like floats and bones, can become part of the path itself. Just find a spot and stick it in.
After the safe and sanitized trails of our state parks, the Short Beach steps may seem rather wild, and untamed. It’s true that you walk them at your own risk, and that nobody has measured the load-bearing capacity of that driftwood railing. But independence allows for individuality, and can inspire great beauty.
UPDATE: If you visit the Short Beach Trail and you like what you see, consider donating to its upkeep. After this story went to press, Roy "The Trail Guy" Wilson wrote to say that the project could really use some help. "There was over a thousand dollars worth of vandalism a few winters ago, and a steady stream of stolen plantings, and more vandalism this year." To donate, find the PayPal button at shortbeachtrail.org.
The railroad ties have made it safe, but it’s his use of found materials that makes Wilson’s path special. Along the way you’ll find overlooks made of driftwood, resting benches made from love seats, and a beach shack with plastic tub grottos and log stools. Old gates and fences, desk pieces and other miscellaneous wood parts are used, hither and yon.
If the love poetry, quotes and scratch-art are any indication, hikers use Wilson’s path all the time. In the grotto shrines, they leave small offerings like plastic film canisters, unusual pieces of wood and extra-special agates. The bigger treasures, like floats and bones, can become part of the path itself. Just find a spot and stick it in.
After the safe and sanitized trails of our state parks, the Short Beach steps may seem rather wild, and untamed. It’s true that you walk them at your own risk, and that nobody has measured the load-bearing capacity of that driftwood railing. But independence allows for individuality, and can inspire great beauty.
UPDATE: If you visit the Short Beach Trail and you like what you see, consider donating to its upkeep. After this story went to press, Roy "The Trail Guy" Wilson wrote to say that the project could really use some help. "There was over a thousand dollars worth of vandalism a few winters ago, and a steady stream of stolen plantings, and more vandalism this year." To donate, find the PayPal button at shortbeachtrail.org.
If you go:
Short Beach Trail
Length: 130 steps
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Open year-round
Facilities: None
Directions: From Tillamook, head west on the Three Capes Scenic Route, and then turn right on Bayocean Road. It turns into the Cape Meares Loop, which winds around the cape towards the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint. About one mile south of the viewpoint parking lot, look for a guard rail on the west side that overlooks Short Beach. Park on either side, and head for the gap. If you get to Oceanside, you’ve gone too far south.
Note: As of press time, Hwy. 131 between Netarts and Oceanside was closed for repairs. Until it’s fixed, the only way to access Short Beach is from the north, on the Cape Meares Loop.
Note 2: The beach is public, of course, but the staircase trail is not maintained by any government entity. Use it at your own risk.
Short Beach Trail
Length: 130 steps
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Open year-round
Facilities: None
Directions: From Tillamook, head west on the Three Capes Scenic Route, and then turn right on Bayocean Road. It turns into the Cape Meares Loop, which winds around the cape towards the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint. About one mile south of the viewpoint parking lot, look for a guard rail on the west side that overlooks Short Beach. Park on either side, and head for the gap. If you get to Oceanside, you’ve gone too far south.
Note: As of press time, Hwy. 131 between Netarts and Oceanside was closed for repairs. Until it’s fixed, the only way to access Short Beach is from the north, on the Cape Meares Loop.
Note 2: The beach is public, of course, but the staircase trail is not maintained by any government entity. Use it at your own risk.
