3/26-28 Whaleshead Vista through Humbug Mtn St Park

3/26-28/10 Friday to Sunday Whaleshead Vista thru Humbug Mtn


Photos:  http://silverserenity.shutterfly.com/1927

Last night I didn’t feel well and this morning is some worse. With luck it will pass soon and will be back to normal. We decide to go on and take it slow.

One of the first things to make note of was crossing the Thomas Creek Bridge. This is the highest bridge in Oregon at 345 feet. Next was Gold Beach. We crossed the Rogue River. This river is known for its water sports. It begins to rain again. Plans are made to stop at Humbug Mountain State Park for the night. Humbug Mtn is 1,756 feet in elevation. This is one of the few times we actually paid to stay in a Park.

Pulling into the park, it was really vacant. The host came out to meet us and told us where everything was including the private beach which was accessible only from the park. After finding a place to park Thomas walks back to pay for the site.

The rains have let up. Thomas wants us to walk to the beach before the sun sets. He thinks the walk may do me some good. While not pleased with the idea, I go. Turns out, it was a good thing.

The private trail goes from the back end of the park through two mountains and beside a river flowing to the sea. A bridge stretches above for the highway to pass by without even really getting a view of the beach or the campground. The wind funnels through this valley pass and makes for a really breezy walk.

Upon entering the beach area you are greeted by driftwood everywhere. Large logs to tiny pieces clutter the access. It seems that Oregon is known for its driftwood beaches. Today there are a couple of other people on the beach but there’s more than plenty of room for everyone.

Clouds have given way to open sky on the horizon. Brilliant orange and yellow burst from the suns hiding place behind the last low cloud. A mixture of water sounds from the crashing of the waves and the flowing of the river mix with the whistling of the wind. Sunset is an hour or so away. The sky to the horizon holds promise of things yet to be. Color floods the shoreline with each wave that slides to gain more footage on the shore. Rocks and sea shells are left on the smooth sand to make ripples in the receding waves. The sun is kissed by a small cloud. Time to go back and finish setting up before the sun is totally asleep for the day. (Photos 4671-4694)

This park has the most glorious showers. The hot water is almost too hot at first but settles into a perfect temperature. Best of all there is no restriction on the amount of water. (I am not sure if I mentioned it before but we are taking showers with anywhere from ½ to 1 gallon of water each. Never thought that could happen but it can.)

By later night, I am feeling better. The nights sleep was good and very quiet.

Saturday and a bright sunny day is in store for us. No one else is on the beach which spreads for more than a mile off to the right of the river. A long stretch of the beach is mostly sandy. Then it turns rocky. After exploring for a while we decide to sit and have lunch.

A fishing boat appears to the left and makes its way looping around to the right. Out from the shore are a couple of large rocks. When the fishing boat passes in front of the first rock, the size of the rock is more apparent. It is more like an island than a rock. I take another photo with no zoom on to give an idea of how it appears to us from the shore. While the second rock is much smaller, it becomes more impressive also. (Photos 4695-4698)

On the shore a long log has been imbedded by one end into the sand. The end closest to the water is jutting out of the sand and begs to be climbed on. I ease up on it and fight the wind to keep balanced. On the mountainside which probably caused the log to stand up was the only flower found in this area. It was a small wild iris. (Photos 4699-4707)

After a short nap on the beach, it was time to explore. The tide was going out. Wet sea plants glowed in the sun give the appearance of flowers. The tidal pools were awash with life and color. The tidal pools of Pacific Grove were wonderful but these have it beaten. Anemone of various sizes and colors waved in the breeze of the currents. Snails and hermit crabs hurried to find food or travel to another spot while the torrential waves were not beating down on them. Their shells were mostly in mute colors but then some were a bright gold or even orange. Patterns and texture added to their décor. A tiny crab froze and then scampered off to go about his work. (Photos 4719-4731)

Then appearing crushed between two rocks was a bright orange starfish. No, wait, there was a brown one also. The orange starfish was moving off to the left away from his friend. While its movements were slow it flowed across the rocks. Other starfish were found clinging to rocks out of the water. The first orange starfish was now stretched out fully on its way to other places. (Photos 4740-4751)

Anemones which were a weather faded plastic green color were plentiful. Each new pool that explored brought more and more wonders. The anemones varied in size and color and shape. Starfish were plentiful in both the orange and brown shades. The more you looked, the more you found. Starfish clung to the rocks both in and out of the water. Muscles flourished in large clusters on the now exposed rocks that they called home. They varied in size from babies to about 5 inches long. For hours tidal pools were fun to explore. Never again will I come to this coast without rubber wading boots.

The tide was starting to come back in. It was time to call it a day. The sun shown on the algae covered rocks. They appeared to have been painted with gold. Our footprints were still the only ones on the beach. Heading back we found something. Neither of us knows what it was and it appeared to be alive but wouldn’t come out to show it’s self. After turning it over and hoping it would live, we continued with out trek back to the main part of the beach. (Photos 4752-4807)

Back at the campground I took a photo of the side of Humbug Mtn that was constantly wind blown. It looked like someone had pruned it into a smooth surface. Another nice thing this campground did was to provide receptacles for your grey water, like sink water, to be disposed of in. We decided to stay another night and by Sunday morning, we were the only campers there. This has been a great place to stay but it is time to move on to more adventures. (Photos 4808-4816)