Sitka Sedge Loop Hike, North Oregon Coast
LOCATION
Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, North Oregon Coast
LENGTH
About 2.5 miles, including the side trail out to the beach
DIFFICULTY
There is little elevation gain on this short hike, but there are a couple of brief uphill sections. As it nears the beach, the trail turns to loose sand, making the walking a little more challenging, but only for a short stretch.
WE HIKED IT
July 2020, about an hour on the trail and a couple of hours playing and walking on the beach
CURRENT INFO
The book Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon by Zach Urness and Bonnie Henderson includes a great description of this hike, but please note that the beach they describe at the north end of Sitka Sedge may not be open. Instead, do what we did and access the beach a little further south, just off the main trail (check the sign at the trailhead before you go). You can find more about the area on the Oregon State Parks website.
GOOD TO KNOW
As with other state parks along the Oregon Coast, there is no parking or entrance fee. The trailhead features exceptionally clean vault toilets, an informative trail map, and a few picnic tables. Dogs are allowed on leash, but be sure to keep them far from the area that is blocked off to protect the snowy plover’s nesting habitat.
HIGHLIGHTS
Follow this beautiful trail through a coastal estuary and pine-scented forests to a pristine white sand beach. It’s a wonderful short hike for all ages.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
It’s all about the beach! Since it’s a short hike, bring the sand toys. If it’s a nice day, they may never want to leave.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
It’s the Oregon Coast, so you are spoilt for choice! You can make this hike longer by extending the loop to include the southern section of the park as well. Sitka Sedge is situated along the Three Capes Scenic Loop, located south of Capes Lookout and Meares, and north of Cape Kiwanda. All the capes offer fantastic views, hikes, and more beaches. At Pacific City, just south of Cape Kiwanda, you’ll find good beer and food at Pelican Brewery.
Our Experience
The Oregon Coast may not be known for warm weather and clear skies, but when you are fortunate enough to stumble upon a sunny (or even mostly sunny) day, there are few places I’d rather be. We lucked out when we decided to explore the trails at one of Oregon’s newest state natural areas, Sitka Sedge, while visiting my family, who live not too far from this stretch of the coast. Perhaps it was because this was a Monday, or perhaps this park is still flying under the radar, but surprisingly few others were there considering the gorgeous weather. Not that I’m complaining! It was especially nice during Coronavirus times to feel like we could hike freely, only rarely passing another visitor.
After a picnic by the trailhead, we headed out on the trail, crossing the dike that was built across the Sand Lake Estuary back when this was farmland. Right from the start, we were treated to expansive views of the vast tideflat that is Sand Lake at low tide. Wildflowers were also plentiful; the hot pink Douglas spirea blooms especially caught my eye. One thing you can say about this hike – it may be short, but it showcases an amazing diversity of habitats and plant life.
Across the dike, we headed to the right, which takes you northward along a forested trail with frequent views to the east over Sand Lake. In the book Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon, the authors suggest continuing to the beach from the northern section of the trail. However, we found that the path to the beach was closed to protect the nesting grounds of the snowy plover. This section of the beach may be open again to people in the winter, but if it’s closed when you visit, no worries – another amazing stretch of sand just to the south is open throughout the year, and you won’t want to miss it.
We continued our counter-clockwise trek, which now took us through scrubby pine forests and beach grass. The trail turned sandy under our feet, and I kept a lookout for the turnoff to the beach.
It wasn’t long before we found it. The dry, soft sand along this stretch was probably the most challenging section of the trail, but it didn’t last long. The boys ran ahead onto the broad white sand beach. With beach toys, a picnic blanket, and snacks in tow (not to mention sunscreen), we had everything we needed for a relaxing afternoon on the sand. This was also when I made a mental note to get a better bag for the sand toys, something other than the garbage bag we’d lugged with us, which was looking a little worse for wear.
While some of the adults enjoyed quiet, peaceful walks down the nearly empty beach, my dad and I stayed with J and T. Sandcastles were built, names were scratched into the sand with sticks, and feet were splashed in the waves. Only feet, mind you, because Oregon’s Pacific Ocean is cold no matter how the sun may shine, and only the hardiest souls go for a swim.
To the north, Cape Lookout stretched out to the sea, while to the south stood Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock (not Cannon Beach’s more famous Haystack Rock, but the one standing sentinel over Pacific City). Overhead, we were surprised by a flock of pelicans, looking far more majestic in flight than they appear on land.
We probably spent a couple of hours down on the sand; it’s so easy to lose track of time on a beautiful day. But Michael and I still had to drive back home to Seattle, and the next day, it would be back to work as usual. Leaving the beach behind, we continued the loop hike, meeting back up with the main trail to cross back over the dike. There we were treated to a final view of Sand Lake, now flooded with shimmering salt water at high tide, a fitting farewell to this lovely place.
