March 23, 2026 - Bandon - Cape Arago

 

Title: March  23, 2026 - Bandon - Cape Arago

Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking : Car

Trail: Cape Arago Loop and out to Sunset State Park

Trail head: Shore Acres parking lot

Destination: Cape Arago Lighthouse

Actual Destination: Sunset Beach State Park 

Distance:  3.38  mile

Start Time:11:43

End Time:   2:20

Travel Time:  2:35 (1.31 mph)

Moving Time:  1:50  (1.84 mph)

Elevation Rise:  301'
Descent:  285'

Maximum Elevation: 97'

GPS Tracks

 

Description:

Lawrence Whale Watching

I got up at 7:00 with Andrea once again, with her once again getting up a little after I did. We go off to Ray’s to pick up a few more groceries and then return back to the house. By this time, everybody is up. I make us all some pretty simple omelets with Vampire Slayer cheese. Then we just lounge around for a while until close to 11.

Andrea had suggested doing a trail she found in AllTrails in the Coos Bay area called the Cape Arago Loop. Close to Coos Bay are several small Oregon State Parks. One of them is Shores Acres, which is where the trail starts. Before we began, there were a couple of volunteers to assist people with whale watching. They stopped me to ask about the image on the back of my shirt-Lake Tahoe. They let me know that they had one confirmed sighting today and three unconfirmed.

 

 

 

After looking at the ocean in a futile attempt to spot a spout, we started our walk. The paths we follow alternate between walking along the top of the cliffs and being inland. The view along the cliffs gives us the thrill of watching the waves crash into the rocks below, throwing the spray into the air. At certain view spots, we can see the lighthouse at Cape Arago.

At times, the trail moves us inland and we can enjoy a more forested walk. It is mostly bushes with a variety of trees-the species I am not able to say. But interspersed with all of that greenery are flowers of various kinds. The most prominent one looks like little bells. Later on we identify them as Salal. There were a few berries growing on the Salal plants.

 

 

 

 

It looked like we could walk a trail to the Cape Arago Lighthouse-we should have checked earlier about how accessible the lighthouse is. So we walked a aways, where we looked out over Sunset Beach. What we also noticed is that the Lighthouse is still at least a mile away, requiring us to walk around the horseshoe shaped beach and beyond. At this point we discovered that the Lighthouse is inaccessible because it is on an island, Chief Island to be exact. 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawrence, Root Ball Climber

So we turned around, rejoining the loop back to the beginning. We get a lot more cliff views. One thing about all of these trails in the area, roots seem to be a constant hazard. At one point I was passing some people and stumbled and a man caught me-I would not have fallen, still it is good to know there are people in this area who watch out for others.’

When we make it back to the car, about 2:00, it is time for lunch. We have our peanut butter sandwiches and chips. We all think we have enjoyed the walk.

 

 

After lunch we walked around the Park's botanical gardens which were set up by Lowel Simpson. The grounds are well maintained. Even though it is the start of Spring, there is a vibrancy of colors, particularly the red of some rodes-rhodedendrums for those of you who need to have an explanation. This is not a native plant garden as we see plants from California, Japan and other places.

By 3:30, we are ready to leave. Lawrence volunteers to drive. Before going back to the house, we stopped in town to pick up some clam chowder. Then we all rest for over an hour. All of us take showers and feel refreshed. Dinner is grilled cheese sandwiches, clam chowder and salad. Then it is time to admire the pictures we took today. Finally before 10:00, we are all ready to head towards bed.

Extra Photo's

Cape Arago Lighthouse

 
Flowers and Plants