Crook Point - Mack Arch

Pistol River State Park

I have explored the Oregon Coast extensively…even collected sand from over 250 beaches from the mouth of the Columbia to the California border. But even with all I have seen and explored of the coast, there was still a four-mile section of the southern coast I had not seen…Crook Point.

Crook Point is a small, but spectacular, headland jutting out into the Pacific and is located halfway between Gold Beach, and Brookings. The point is bordered to the north by the Pistol River State Park, and Samuel Boardman State Park to the south.

Crook Point adjoins the Mack Reef Unit of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The adjacent rocks and islands host the second largest concentration of nesting seabirds in Oregon, with over 200,000 birds present from April through September. The headland contains rare native plants, unique geologic formations, one mile of undisturbed shoreline with extensively rocky intertidal areas, and a small stream containing native cutthroat trout.

The south portion of the point is privately own, and public access to the publicly owned beaches does not exist, unless you reach them by boat, or by air...or by permission The Crook Family has owned 200 plus acres of this small promontory and has passed ownership down now for generations. The actual headland is a wildlife refuge and closed to public access as well.

Late this summer, I met a member of the Crook Family. I was invited to visit and collect the sand I needed to complete my entire Oregon Coast collection. I arrived mid-morning to an impressive view from the backyard like no other. Sitting just off the shore of the southern flank of the cape, sits Mack Arch. The arch dominated the scenery. Mack Arch, also known to the locals as Arch Rock. The arch holds the title of being the largest natural arch on the Pacific Coast. Large charter boats and even a small plane could float or fly through it, (I wouldn’t recommend flying through it though). The arch holds such an impressive title, but it is rarely visible to the general public and tourist enthusiasts. Private property and fog are the reasons behind its obscure viewing opportunity. Another reason we can’t see the arch from Hwy 101, is that the opening of the arch is in a north to south direction. Most of Oregon’s arch openings are east to west. For being such a small point, the terrain was very diverse and complex. The north side features rolling dunes and beach grass, with scattered wind sculpted Shore Pines, a rocky cliffline and off shore basalt rocks are scattered about. The actual point is very barren, wind stripped of all topsoil, leaving the resemblance of a harsh desert environment, appearing to be void of life.

The south side is densely forested, mostly of Sitka Spruce, and five to six foot Sword Ferns. Thick layers of silent fog often shroud the southern side, while the northern side bakes in the sun, and winds torture the land.

The beautiful sunny fall day made for great photo opportunities. I collected my sand from five different sites along the point, and took advantage of being so close to this incredible nature wonder.

Harbor Seals, Cormorants, Black Oystercatchers, common Gulls and Murres call this landscape home. Seaweed beds on the south side feed the allusive Sea Otter. While out on the actual point I noticed a young man, who I later learned works for the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department. He was out collecting raccoon traps that were placed on the offshore rock islands to prevent the raccoon from stealing bird eggs. Upon his return to the main shore, he twisted his knee. It was bad. I offered to carry his equipment out for him. This allowed me legal access to the top of the point...(aka-the wildlife refuge), for additional photo opportunities. We slowly made it up the steep cliff, to the high flat barren point, where his government truck was parked. Within our conversation we discovered that he and his wife and I attended the same college…but not at the same time…I had graduated from WBC, years before them. What a small world. I felt privileged to receive access to such a beautiful “rarely explored” diverse landscape. The contract between the dry, windy land to the north, the wet, and foggy land to the south, the offshore rocks and Mack Arch to the west, and the basalt grassy/forested farmland hills to the east makes Crook Point a destination not to be missed…just make sure to get permission first.

The Crook family has vacation rentals available to those who want a great retreat location destination. Anyone staying at any of their vacation rentals are given access to the beach even in front of the Mack Arch Wildlife Reserve.

For information and reservations for Crook Point rentals, check out- southcoastvacationrentals.com

Yachats River Trek

The Yachats River, pronounced YAH-hots, is derived from the Chinook Indian word, Yahuts, meaning dark water at the foot of the mountain...(aka - Cape Perpetua). This little river is nestled between the lush Sitka Spruce forested mountains of the Coast Range and ends where its water meets the lapping waves of the Pacific surf. A quaint little village, also named Yachats, lies at the mouth of the river. Our journey, (my mother and mine), began just after turning onto the Yachats River Road. We came across a couple canoeing up the still waters. A photo opportunity was at hand. They were residence of Yachats enjoying the peaceful fall, rare 85 degree day. The couple’s bright red canoe reflected perfectly in the dark water. As we continued up the river, the Coast Range widens and fields of lush farming lined this small river’s basin. Cows dominate the grasslands. Cows are nothing unusual to coastal rivers, but we came across a group of cows in which I had never seen before. We called them “Oreo” cows. These black cows had a white stripe that lined the center of their body. I later learned this unusual looking cow is called a Belted Galloway, or nicknamed a “Beltie”. The Beltie is native to Scotland, and used as a beef cattle. I did get a photo of the herd, but they were very skittish and ran away from us. The fall season was an excellent time to visit this little river. Thick mats of moss covered the shade dwelling native Big Leaf Maples. The colors of yellow and orange dominated the landscape. As the sun began to set over the ridge, glowing silhouette's of flouresent lime green lurked behind every tree. Native Vine Maples were scattered thoughout the banks of the river. Their fall color of red glowed with each turn...but the red leaves didn't take center stage. Approximately 9 miles up the river drive we came across, what I would call the jewel of the Yachats River, the historic red North Fork Yachats Covered Bridge. This beautiful covered bridge was built in 1938, with a Queenpost truss, one of the few of this type remaining in Oregon, and was restored in 1989. The setting, a red bridge, a gravel road, a thick matted shaded forest, made me feel like I was in a fairy tale land. It wouldn't have surprised me if we witnessed a hobbits, or friendly trolls, and perhaps leprechauns going about their business. No such luck though. On the hill just above of the bridge grows a giant multi-branched Sitka Spruce. The base of the tree measures at least seven feet across, and stands approximately 200 feet. Though not the biggest Sitka Spruce, its branching structure was definitely worth photographing. The tree stand as if guarding the small covered red bridge...and possibly the home of the unseen leprechauns. Though this small river doesn't have any grand photogenic vista's, it does carry its own as a tranquil important watershed to the Coastal Range. Salmon and trout run free here, and so does the river.

My mother and I had a great little adventure. I was even able to capture a photo of my mom that might become her next Christmas card.

We left the shaded valley and returned to the beach, where the sun was still out and very warm. After a bit of agate collecting we went to eat at the Blue Whale Restaurant in Yachats. The sun was getting ready to set, so we got our Swiss potato soup and freshly baked bread to go, and we ate dinner watching the sun set. It was a fun day exploring the beauty of the Yachats River with my mother.