Haystack Rock- Cannon Beach, OR

Switching from one coast to the other, here is yet another beautiful beach in anticipation of Memorial Day. With written accounts dating back to the days of Lewis and Clark, Cannon Beach and its landmark rocks have inspired all that laid eyes and flip flopped feet on its sandy shore. Including the Goonies, who used a doubloon and Haystack Rock to locate One Eyed Willie’s treasure.

Rising 253 feet above the sea floor, this basalt beauty was formed by lava flows 15 million years ago. Keeping Haystack company lo these many years are its faithful companions, The Needles, three smaller sea stacks. At one time the monolithic monster was joined to the coastline, but over the past many millennia, they have parted ways. The relative isolation of the island from the mainland creates an excellent nesting ground for terns and tufted puffins, although the rock can be easily reached at low tide. Since 1990 Haystack Rock has enjoyed Marine Garden status, meaning climbing above the barnacle line is prohibited.

Although Haystack Rock itself may be off limits, like Clark and Sacagawea you have miles and miles of beach to explore. A wide, sandy, beautiful beach, surrounded by stunning geology. Yeah, the water is frigid, but it’s clear, so you won’t risk steeping on something that stings. It was downright pleasant on a relatively rare sunny summer day. For wading that is. Full immersion would require a wet suit, or at least a greater tolerance to cold than I possess.  So relive your youth, channel your inner Goonie, and walk in the footsteps of famous explorers. What more could you ask for from a day at the beach?

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