OCT: Segment 6 — Twin Rocks to Bay City
Updated: Jan 12
A north segment along the Oregon Coast Trail from Rockaway Beach to Tillamook.
Segment 6 of the Oregon Coast Trail spans the north coastal area from Twin Rocks to Bay City. It passes through Rockaway Beach, Bay City, and Tillamook. This section encompasses Rockaway Beach, Twin Rocks, Barview Jetty, and Tillamook Bay. I did this segment in two parts — one driven section and one section hike.
The Oregon Coast Trail spans 362 miles (according to Oregon State Parks) or 425 miles (according to the Oregon Coast Trail Foundation) of the Oregon Coast from the Columbia River in the north to the California border in the south. The trail still has "gaps" in trail that are road walking sections along highways and roads until more trail can be made. The Oregon Coast Trail Foundation works to maintain and expand this interconnected trail system. This long distance trail can be done as day hikes, section hikes, or a thru-hike. There are many ways to recreate and experience this trail and the beautiful coastline it entails.
Blue - driven section | Pink - hiked section
Explore by section:
My Section Hiking Approach
The Oregon Coast Trail is technically incomplete and the road walking sections are "gaps" in trail where no trail exists. So, I decided to do the road sections by vehicle instead of walking on the side of Hwy 101 or other roads that I feel unsafe doing. As more trail is established, I plan to come back and do those sections that were previously road sections. I also plan to add on sections such as capes, spits, and peninsulas to hike as much beach as possible on the Oregon Coast. Some sections I'll do as out and back, round trips when I head out alone and other sections I'll go north or south in a point-to-point hiking style. My intention with section hiking is to cover the Oregon Coast regardless of direction. I don't feel a need for my section hiking to be in a certain continuous direction. I will be trying to do as much of it as possible in a southward direction to avoid winds hitting my front, but besides that my goal is to cover all of the Oregon Coast trail, regardless of how I do it or in what direction. Obviously do whatever feels right for you on your own section hike. My reason for being out is to enjoy exploring and work toward finishing this long distance trail in a way that works best for me and my body.
A note on how I classify “segments”
5th Ave. to Barview
Mode of access: Hike
Access: Road walk, Trail, Beach
Direction: North
Distance: 4.41 miles
Date hiked: June 11, 2024
I decided to hike this section northbound from Barview to 5th Ave. since there was a S/SE wind the day I was hiking this section. The weather was overcast, foggy, with a misting drizzle so I didn't want to be walking into that with the wind. I got dropped off at the little corner store in Barview and road walked into Barview Jetty County Campground. There was a little trail I tried following but it popped me out in a not-in-use campsite and I ended up having to road walk the rest of the way to the beach. I was lucky no one was in the campsite or I would have had to backtrack the way I'd come back to the road.
At the jetty there is a day use parking area with a day use fee. After hiking over the short dunes I came out on the beach near the jetty. It was foggy and visibility wasn't great, but it gave the beach a really cool feel. It looked like there might be a surfer out in the waves near the jetty, but I didn't have my contacts in so I couldn't say for sure.
I hiked north up the beach, the tide ranged from 0.5 ft to -0.5 ft so the beach was really wide and open. There were cool little pools of water along the beach. The hike was pretty uneventful. I didn't see many people until I got closer to the Rockaway Beach section.
I passed by Twin Rocks. It was still foggy and misty when I was walking past them, but I could see them. I found some cool little shells, even a tiny little sand dollar. There were a lot of Western Gulls out along the beach.
I ended up listening to some of the audiobook for It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. I've read the book before but haven't listened to the audiobook, so I decided a reread about a fishing town would be perfect for hiking on the beach.
As I neared Rockaway Beach the fog finally started to break and it stopped misting. The wind was even a bit warmer. I was reaching my max and decided to get off trail at 5th Ave. I had an appointment later that day that I was needing to have some energy for. But I clocked in more miles that I anticipated I'd get.
Barview to Tillamook
Mode of access: Vehicle
Access: Road
Direction: North
Distance: 10.5 miles
Date driven: March 20, 2024
I recorded this section when my mom and I drove up to Manzanita to dinner one night. I started it in Tillamook and ended it at Barview. This section of Highway 101 passes through Bay City and Garibaldi. It follows along Tillamook Bay and there are some pretty sections of road. It's one of the longer road sections on the OCT, especially since taking a boat across to Bayocean Peninsula isn't possible right now due to construction on the peninsula.
Resources
Area Conditions & Information
Information/Maps
Tide
How to get there
My Wild Adventure is not responsible for your safety, any possible injury, or anything that happens if you choose to follow anything on this website. Maps are not intended to be used for navigational purposes, but to give an overview of the route taken. By going outdoors you are solely responsible to know your strengths and limitations, be aware of current conditions and proceed with the appropriate caution. My Wild Adventure is not responsible for your choices and the outcome. Reference my disclaimer for more information on being responsible outdoors.
Comments