Hug Point

Spring vacation was here and we had the grandkids for the week. Sometimes we had them for half a day and sometimes it was overnight-it depended on what we were doing the next day. An early morning departure was required for some of our activities. On one of those early days we went to Hug Point. Mr UAW and I had been there a few years ago and we wanted to take the grandkids. Now we had the time, the grandkids, and the tides were just right. Hug Point is best seen at low tide. It is possible to become stranded by the incoming tide when exploring the point. So we checked the tide tables and it was low tide at 11am, enough time to drive there and explore the beach, caves, old stagecoach road, and waterfall before the incoming tide sent us away to another beach for the rest of the day. Hug Point is just 5 miles south of Cannon Beach, this little wayside includes forested picnic areas, a restroom and a short walkway to the beach. The parking lot can get full fast. The first time we were there it was a weekday, no holidays, and we pretty much had the beach to ourselves. This time it was spring vacation and the tides were perfect for viewing the area so it was crowded. But we managed to grab one of the last parking places. A short walk north from the parking lot reveals a seasonal waterfall-about 15 feet high, caves carved into sandstone cliffs and tide pools accessible during low tide. 

Imagine traveling by stagecoach along the beach.  Before the highway was built, the beach was the only way to travel along this stretch of coast.  North of the parking area at low tide you can walk along the original stagecoach road, still harboring the wheel ruts carved into the rock.  Pioneers traveling around this headland had to hug the point carefully, even at low tide. Thus, the point and the park are both aptly named Hug Point. It's a great place to visit but you have to make sure you get there pretty close to low tide. 

        The kids racing towards a cave-high energy especially after sitting in the car for 1:45. 

                                         

Many of the caves were interesting 

Cave exploring buddies 

This was Zeke's favorite cave. If you look hard you can see his face, a small dot, just half way up the picture. He had great fun climbing up there. 

Micaela would rather have her picture taken here in the light

Bottom of the waterfall 

Top of the waterfall 

Old stagecoach road 

Some of the cliffs overlooking the beach 

And of course hugs are necessary at Hug Point!