Page 71 - SOM Summer 2017

Unnamed beach
south of Humbug
leaving no room to retreat because the
headland is too steep to climb. Lucky
visitors may spy elk or even a black bear
on this beach; usually, however, the only
signs of their presence are footprints left
in the sand—with not a single human
footprint among them.
AGATE BEACH
Little-known Otter Point State Celebrating 36 Years
Recreation Site preserves a small, rug-
ged headland about 2.5 miles north of Galice is just Galice until you add the people,
then it becomes the Experience!
then it becomes the Experience!
then it becomes the Experience!
the Gold Beach, providing superb views then it becomes the Experience!
Food & Drinks
of the beautiful beaches to the north and
south. The real gem here is the rocky, Food & Drinks
gravelly beach extending off the north
foot of the point.
This is Agate Beach, reached by a hidden
trail at the northeast end of the Otter Rafting & Fishing Lodging
Point parking lot. This narrow, wind-
Riverside Dining
Riverside Dining
ing trail dives down through the trees a Riverside Dining
mere 100 yards to the beach. Once you
emerge on wildly scenic Agate Beach,
you’ll feel like you’re stranded on your
own deserted island, with abundant bird Gift Shop Shuttle
life, surf crashing against the rocks, and
tide pools teeming with critters. Agate 541-476-3818 www.galice.com 11744 Galice Rd. Merlin, Oregon 97532
Beach is aptly named—explore its gravel
fields at low tide for agates and other COME for the GEAR
interesting rocks.

Few visitors find this small state park STAY for a BEER
because there are no signs for it on
Highway 101. Near milepost 324, turn
west onto Old Coast Road and go 0.25
miles to a signed right-hand turn leading
down a narrow dirt road (no room for
trailers or RVs) a few hundred yards to
the parking area.

HOOSKANADEN BEACH
Hooskanaden Beach—the name, fittingly, means “gravel place” in the
Tututni (Athabaskan) tongue—presents two different beaches in one
incredible and seldom-visited package, the south half a long, narrow
crescent of sand, and the north end a jumble of rocks. This gorgeous
beach is one of the least known on the Oregon Coast. No signs
indicates the spot and you can’t see it from the highway.
Among other wildlife, river otters inhabit the area, and lucky visitors
may spy the gregarious creatures scavenging along the beach. Tide
pools at both ends of the beach are fun, but visit them during sum- Serving Local and Traveling Adventurers Since 2010
mer when weather and waves are calm. Hooskanaden Beach can be
H H H
dangerous during winter, during the highest tides, and during periods Hike & Camp | Climbing | Paddling | Snowshoes | Consignment | Footwear | Travel | Men | Womenike & Camp | Climbing | Paddling | Snowshoes | Consignment | Footwear | Travel | Men | Womenike & Camp | Climbing | Paddling | Snowshoes | Consignment | Footwear | Travel | Men | Womenike & Camp | Climbing | Paddling | Snowshoes | Consignment | Footwear | Travel | Men | Women
of rough seas when it can completely disappear, enveloped by breakers.
www. eNorthwestOutdoorStore.com
(541) 245-4000 | 980 Biddle Rd, Medford, OR 97504

summer 2017 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 69