12 min
Overview
A stretch of sand spreads before you from the Oregon Dunes Overlook, but it is not an unblemished whitish expanse. Tree islands dominated by Sitka spruce and hummocks bound together by European beachgrass form part of the topography. In the distance you’ll see ponds of water and then a continuous vegetation zone, the deflation plain, which supports thickets of huckleberry, willow, waxmyrtle, and spiraea as well as stunted shore pines and Sitka spruce. Next is the foredune area, colonized by the invasive beachgrass, and a snowy plover nesting zone in the spring. Beyond are a remote beach and the sparkling breakers of the Pacific Ocean. Dunes are made from sand, which represents the fine-ground remnant of rocks and gravel brought down from the mountains by rivers and creeks. The grains are tossed upon the shore by wave action and, when dry, can travel distances with the prevailing winds. It is a process of demolition and rebuilding. The Umpqua River, by far the largest and longest river in the area, has contributed most of the sand in this region, the largest set of sand dunes on the North American continent. From the parking area, take the wooden steps that lead up to a viewing platform, which allows you a vista over dunes and tree islands to the ocean. From the platform, a trail heads into a dark Sitka spruce/Douglas-fir coppice and out to a steep sandy slope. Skitter down this dune towards a trail post which marks the junction with your return to the overlook. Go left here to the next post, and make a left to begin the larger loop. Hike along a sandy depression to pass between a tree island and the thickets of the deflation plain to your right. Scots broom and European beachgrass are major invasives in this area. Look for deer tracks in the sand, and skirt a couple of pools. Traverse the west slope of another tree island forested with spruce and shore pine. Approach two distinct tree islands in an area of seasonal willow ponds. Hike to the west of the islands, and then turn southwest in a wide sandy expanse,
Trail Stats
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59 m
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Photos
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400px-OregonDunesLoopMap
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