Start time: 0730
Start odometer: 24924
Weather: Some heavy rain overnight, lingering through the remainder of the morning. Temperature 56 degrees F.
I was greeted by a very wet morning. The people here are very happy about this as it has been very dry and they can use the rain. Winds were also present which made the coast more dramatic. After touring the coast and the redwoods, I decided to take the two hour trip to Cape Blanco in Oregon, which is the second most-western point of the continental United States. Had to keep up with my "most" motif! After the visit, my drive south brought me back to Crescent City as night was approaching, so I stopped here again.
(Added 01/02/03 - Thanks to a knowledgeable visitor to this page, I have a correction as to the location of the western-most point of the continental United States. The actual point is Cape Alava, Washington. Cape Blanco is approximately .168 degrees Lon., or 7.64 miles east of Cape Alava. My thanks to Kal from San Diego for this information.)
I started this morning watching television to catch up on news, then drove to the Redwoods National Park Visitor Center. After retrieving information and touring ideas, I headed first to the coast to west of Crescent City. Some incredible sprays of water were in the air as waves crashed against the breaker. It was raining on and off, and somewhat added to the ambiance.
Click on picture for larger image, hit back button to return to this page.
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The break wall for the Crescent City harbor. |
Battery Point lighthouse. |
Six miles out (and barely visible) is the Point St. George Lighthouse. |
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I called my sister in Connecticut so she was able to hear the waves crashing. |
CEC - Crescent City Airport |
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I returned to Route 101, then after passing through the Crescent City, headed east towards a gravel road that would lead me to the Stout Memorial Grove. This is the location of the first-ever protected grove of redwoods. A short loop trail was available, and walking amongst these giant trees was exhilarating! And the road through this area provided a great view of the redwoods. Another must-do road for visitors.
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The single lane road through the redwoods. |
Bridge along the road to Stout Memorial Grove. |
Parked at a trailhead. |
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Sign for the first protected redwoods. |
Massive trunks were strewn around the forest floor. |
The base of a fallen redwood. |
Before my departure from the motel this morning, I asked the owner about the most western point of the U. S. and was told Cape Blanco in Oregon had a lighthouse positioned there. Since it was only two hours away, I took the drive after exiting the road through the redwoods. I traveled north on Route 101 along the coast of Oregon and had some great views! This is a very picturesque drive!
I arrived at the road to the lighthouse just after 1400, and a short distance from building itself the road was gated and closed. I stopped at a parking area by the gate, and walk along the road to the lighthouse. While it was peaceful since no one was around, it was very noisy due to the wind! Gusts appeared to be greater than fifty mph, and I was pushed around a bit. Also, electric lines located along the top of the hill made loud noises due to the strong wind.
After walking the field surrounding the lighthouse and going as far west as possible. I returned to the parking area, then took a trail to the beach on the north side of the cape. This was followed by a drive to the campground nearby, and to the beach on the south side.
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Back to Oregon for a few hours. |
The gated road to the Cape Blanco. |
Entrance sign to the lighthouse site. |
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The road I walked to the lighthouse. |
The lighthouse from the west. |
Looking north from the Cape. |
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The building on the right is the visitor greeting and tour center. I do not know the purpose for the building on the left. |
One more view of the lighthouse. |
Looking south from the Cape. |
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Looking towards the westernmost point of Cape Blanco. |
A trail to the coast on the north side of the Cape is available, leading to this beautiful area, |
From the beach on the north Cape, the wind blowing against the incoming waves helps to create a striking scene. |
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After hiking up the trail, looking back down onto the beach. Three people can be seen walking near the bottom center of the picture |
Many warning signs were posted at the entrance to the lighthouse and coast trails. |
The road to a beach south of the Cape. |
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Another beautiful Oregon beach. |
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Heading south on US 101, I stopped at an overlook in Port Orford. I then continued south and returned to California.
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This was at the overlook in Port Orford.
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Part pf the ship described in the previous picture. |
The view of the coast from the Port Orford rest area. |
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A historical marker along Highway 101. |
Back in California! |
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I plan to head in a southerly direction tomorrow, and see some of the Redwoods National and State Parks. Thank you for stopping by!
Routes traveled today: US 101 - Crescent City Streets - County Road D2 - US 199 - Oregon 197 - US 101 - CR 160 - US 101
Lodging: Pennysaver Inn -
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