🎶“Let’ go Tripping now, Everybody Tripping now, Come along PAWTRIPPING with ME….TRIPPING SAFARI….TRIPPING SAFARI!”
Here’s the Scoop on our late January weekend PAWTRIPPING Loop: We drove from the Portland International Airport (PDX) taking the 205 South, then I-5 S, exiting at Aurora, DOGLEGGING to the 99W, with a stop at SOKOL BLOSSER WINERY In Dundee, before driving on to HWY 101N and NESKOWIN, then up the 101N to CAPE KIWANDA, north to SITKA SEDGE NATURAL AREA and CAPE LOOKOUT TRAILHEADS, then back to PDX following the Wilson River Highway to the 26, the 84E and 205N.
DAY 1, Friday – PDX, SOKOL BLOSSER WINERY, PROPOSAL ROCK NESKOWIN, CAPE KIWANDA
We pick up FLYNN’S GODMOTHER (Everyone knows GOD spelled backwards is DOG,) Stacey, who has flown in from Southern California, at the Portland International Airport (PDX,) early afternoon, on this Gray, Late January, Winter Day.
Let the PAWTRIPPING weekend to CAPE KIWANDA Begin!
“One for all, All for One;” Make way for The CAPE CRUSADERS!
First Stop, SOKOL BLOSSER WINERY in Dundee, OR along the 99W for a Wine Tasting and NIBBLE, where we sit on their outdoor heated Dog-Friendly covered deck, looking out over the vineyard and countryside under a cloudy sky! When all of a sudden, the clouds break, rays of light beam down on us, putting smiles on the FLYNN DOG’s and all of our FACEs! It’s going to be a GREAT WEEKEND!
Note: We made a Reservation in advance with a $40 refundable deposit. Tasting fee (flight of 4 wines) at this writing is $30/pp. Food available for purchase.
Then back on the 99W hwy to the 101n to NESKOWIN and PROPOSAL ROCK for SUNSET, parking in the NESKOWIN BEACH STATE RECREATION SITE located just as you turn left off the 101 onto Salem Ave, a giant Salmon Woodcarving overlooks the entrance.
The photo below is FLYNN DOG looking across to the trail which starts on the far side of the guardrail and leads to the beach.
.6-Mile RT out and back walk to PROPOSAL ROCK.
Then, back on the 101N, left on Brooten Road, left on Pacific Ave, right on Cape Kiwanda Drive for 11 miles, and we arrive after dark at the INN AT CAPE KIWANDA around 7:30 pm.
After a long day, we are very happy to find a central elevator from the Lobby to haul our luggage up to our 3rd Floor Ocean View Room.
Here is Our Dog-Friendly Room complete with: a little kitchen alcove – microwave, refrigerator with complimentary Pelican Brews and bottled waters, sink, wine glasses and coffee station,… there is even a gas fireplace which is a welcome addition on this winter weekend!
It’s so dark out, we’ll just have to wait until morning for THE VIEW!
DAY 2, Saturday – INN AT CAPE KIWANDA, CAPE KIWANDA SAND DUNE HIKE, SITKA SEDGE HIKE, PELICAN BREWERY, INN AT CAPE KIWANDA
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN CAPE KIWANDA, and to top it off, unseasonably warm for January with Highs in the 50’s, SAY WHAT?
Sunrise from our room looking out at Haystack Rock
(Not to be confused with the Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach)
Who knew?
Below, Upper Right Frame, Our room is on the top floor, second from left with the lights on, and in the bottom right frame, here is the view from our room looking across the street to the ocean.
Welcome to Cape Kiwanda
Pelican Brewing on the left, and Inn at Cape Kiwanda on the right.
After breakfast we walk across the road to the beach, then head North to the 1.5-mile RT CAPE KIWANDA DUNE HIKE, traversing the sand at the base of a massive dune out to the point…
Note: PUBLIC PARKING LOT NEXT TO PELICAN BREWING: $10.00. Of course, Complimentary Parking if you are staying at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda.
…then follow the fencing along the windswept sandstone cliffs, trudging a short ways up the dune, then back down to trail, and back to the beach…
…where the FLYNN DOG is Free to Run Off-Leash!
FLYNN’S MOTTO?
“HAVE STICK (OR BALL,) WILL TRAVEL!”
After lunch back in our room, We drive 6-minutes North to the SITKA SEDGE NATURAL AREA and walk out on the Beltz Dike Trail with the Estuary on one side, and Wetlands on the other, to where we follow a Figure 8 on the “Estuary View” and “Kinnikinnik Woods” Loop trails.
NO FEE OR PASS REQUIRED.
3.5-mile RT SITKA SEDGE HIKE MAP
Trail Parking, and Along the Beltz Dike…
Right on the Estuary View Loop…
Did Someone say Beach Detour?
“EXIT TRAIL, STAGE RIGHT!”
FLYNN DOG is Digg’in this Off-Leash Beach Life!
..then back to the trail,
completing our Figure 8 on the Kinnikinnik Woods Loop,
before walking back along the Dike
to the Parking Lot.
Definitely Time for “YAPPY HOUR” back on our private deck. CHEERS to a DOGGONE Great Day! (Let’s hear it for COSMOS and Our Room with A view!)
Meanwhile Stacey puts in a reservation for dinner at the PELICAN BREWING across the street.
FRONT ROW SEATS FOR SUNSET!
Our Names are finally called…and by now, We’re Very Hungry! Time for Dinner!..So we bundle up and walk across the street to the outdoor covered DOG FRIENDLY Patio…
BRRRRR! What, No Heaters? Notice we all have our coats on?
…FOR GOODNESS SAKE, it is January after all!
DAY 3, Sunday – INN AT CAPE KIWANDA, CAPE LOOKOUT, PDX
Today we begin our trek back to PDX late morning via CAPE LOOKOUT; just a 20 minute drive North following Sandlake Rd to Cape Lookout Road and The Trailhead, for one last Hike….
…As For The Hike you ask? IT’S A DOOZY!
NO FEE OR PASS REQUIRED AT THIS TRAILHEAD
The map below shows the 4.8-mile RT CAPE TRAIL
For the first mile, we are Digg’in this gentle trail, which starts at an elevation of 810′, following along the cliff, looking South, and taking in the views of Cape Kiwanda, Haystack Rock and Cascade Head…
..Then, the FUN Begins as we continue our hike down the “PRIMROSE PATH!” finding nothing but PAWsucking MUD and ROOTS…YES, all the way to the point. The FLYNN DOG, of course, Navigates like a Pro!
Bottom righthand frame is looking North to Cape Meares and Oswald West. The Roots and Mud need no explanation!
…When we finally reach the ViewPoint we gaze our at a fathomless Ocean…Then, what goes down and out, must go back and up 440′, and need we remind you, through a never-ending sea of mud and roots …which we laughingly refer to as “GETTING OUR KICKS ON ROOT 66” (I looked it up, in numerology 66 stands for Optimism and Idealism..THAT FITS!)
the photos below are looking down,
out over the water, and
final stretch of trail back to our car.
FLYNN’S white paws are now brown, and our hiking boots caked in mud,..A trail not soon to be forgotten! And, To think we lived to tell about it!
Our Weekend CAPE CRUSADE sadly comes to an end with one last Magnificent SUNSET from Hwy 26, as we drive FLYNN’s GODMOTHER STACEY back to PDX for her flight to Southern California.
A GREAT TIME WAS MOST DEFINITELY HAD BY
“ALL FOR ONE, AND ONE FOR ALL!”
ADVENTURE
Sun and Wind and Beat of Sea,
Great Lands stretching endlessly…
Where be bonds to bind the free?
All the world was made for me!
– Adelaide Crapsey
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 1 Friday – PDX to Sokol Blosser Winery/Dunee, Proposal Rock Neskowin, Inn at Cape Kiwanda
- Hwy 205 S to I-5 S to Aurora Exit to 99W to
- Sokol Blosser Winery 5000 NE Sokol Blosser Ln, Dundee, OR
- Hwy 99W to 101 N.
- Proposal Rock/Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site – Left off the 101 on Salem St. into the Parking Area
- Hwy 101 to Brooten Road left, left on Pacific Ave, then right on Cape Kiwanda Drive
- Inn at Cape Kiwanda 33105 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City, OR
DAY 2 Saturday – Inn at Cape Kiwanda, Cape Kiwanda Dune Hike, Sitka Sedge, Inn at Cape Kiwanda
- Inn at Cape Kiwanda
- Cape Kiwanda Dune Hike
- Sandlake Rd North
- Sitka Sedge Natural Area Sandlake Rd, Cloverdale, OR
- Pelican Brewing 33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City, OR
- Inn at Cape Kiwanda
DAY 3 Sunday – Inn at Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, PDX
- Inn at Cape Kiwanda
- Sandlake Rd North to Cape Lookout Rd, Left to
- Cape Lookout Trailhead Cape Lookout Rd, Cloverdale, OR
- Wilson River Highway, 26, 84E, 205 N
- to PDX
RESOURCES
TRAVEL OREGON
PINTEREST- Various Blogs(
WILLAMETTE VALLEY WINE (Dog Friendly)
OREGON STATE PARKS TIDE TABLE (North Coast)
THAT OREGON LIFE
ONLY IN OREGON
ALLTRAILS
OREGON HIKERS
OREGON STATE PARKS
TRIPCHECK
“100 HIKES OREGON COAST AND COAST RANGE” – William Sullivan
”OREGON ROAD AND RECREATION ATLAS”
INN AT CAPE KIWANDA
www.innatcapekiwanda.com
- 33105 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City, OR 97135
- 888-965-7001
- Dog-Friendly Ocean View Room
- Room Rate. Plus Pet Fee Per Night
- Amenities: Refrigerator, Microwave; Complimentary Coffee; High Speed Wifi; Flatscreen TV; Aveda Sundry Items; Loaner Bikes, Beach Chairs and Towels, Popcorn and cookies in Lobby Friday’s and Saturdays, Pelican Brews in room on Friday’s or Saturday arrivals, Bottled Water, Gas Fireplace, Air Conditioning and Heater, complimentary DVD Library; Elevator
- Dog Relief Area
FLYNN’S PACKING LIST
Dog Food
Mushers Secret
Towels
Toys
Kong Bone
Dog Treats
Dog Bowls
Canned Pumpkin
Sheet for furniture
Dog Blanket
Dog First Aid Kit
Bottled Water
Raincoat
Dog Coat
Dog Boots
Leash – Regular and Handsfree
Dog Waste Bags
Safety Harness
Excellent! Very detailed and lovely photos. Thanks 😊