Cape Perpetua Overlook — Attraction in Florence

This was a wonderful place to have an easy hike. The temperate rain forest of the Oregon coast is lovely any time of year, even in February in near-constant fog and/or light misty rain. Wildflowers were already starting to bloom, the enormous old growth forest was majestic, everything was dripping with the most brilliant green moss, and there were lush ferns taller than our heads - the place is almost surreal, at least to a couple of Midwesterners! I kept expecting to round a bend in the trail and come face to face with a dinosaur!

We followed the short and easy Whispering Spruce Trail, which winds 750 feet to a historic rock viewing shelter built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and used as a lookout during WW II. Great views for 70 miles along the coast on a clear day, and 40 miles out to the horizon. A not to be...

We chose to hike up, though you can drive basically right to the top (which takes the fun out of it haha). I find it much more rewarding to get a payoff view after making the trek up from the bottom of any hike. It's 800' of climbing in about 1.6 miles, and the trail is in good condition and is pretty regular, so it's not too bad. The trail winds its way through a spruce forest with a lot of lush undergrowth and wildflowers. The views open up only in the last few hundred feet so again, the anticipation of a good view makes the hike more interesting. The view is not quite as sweeping as I thought it would be, trees sort of obstruct the view to the north, though you can see quite a ways in both directions. You can look right down to Thor's Well from the stone structure at the top. Nice viewpoint and a good...

It's worth the little walk to the rock cabin the view is amazing. Best place we stopped to see the GREY WHALES. It was not the best weather but still beautiful views of the ocean and the beaches below. Have to pay the fee for the State Parks but the pass is good for the day for the State Parks. $5-$8 (Usually) Have to pay another fee for National and city..$5-$8 Most of the parks have a vault toilet there are a couple that have no services. Most the park's have handicapped parking and a couple have paths all the way to the beach . We will be back when the...