Over 50 Outside 2023 Hike #36/52

Bayocean Peninsula Park

On June 26, 2023 I hiked the Bayocean Spit Loop Trail. It is a spit that borders the east side of the Tillamook Bay. The hike around to the entrance into the bay and then the hike along the beach heading back to the TH was so peaceful and breathtaking. The area has a fascinating history too as told by OPB on Oregon Field Guide, 'The Lost City of Bayocean'
It was once to become a thriving community, a destination resort. 

The trail begins on a gravel road. This is looking back at the Trail Head. Not too far down the trail there is a sign with information about Bayocean with side trails going to where the town used to be. I didn't go this way. 

The first part of the trail follows the edge of the Tillamook Bay. We saw sea Birds and the wet sand left by the receding tide. The hike is gorgeous and peaceful. The only restroom along the trail is very neglected. This was the inside of the men's room. There was no odor since it is well ventilated. A view looking towards the bay and the other side towards Bay City. The way the boulder was placed with the etching of a square, it looked like an entrance to the town or a building. I thought it was cool.

The trail is mostly gravel but there are rocky sections and rocks and sand and sandy sections. This was a sinkhole. one of two along the trail. It makes sense when you realize that the old city was destroyed, burned or dismantled and buried under 10 feet of sand. 

My favorite part was reaching the jetty and looking into the bay and where it meets the ocean. Jetty's are amazing to me. The giant rocks used to build a jetty. The driftwood is when we encounter the sand and rocks. The sand is along the jetty. I took a picture of the rocks used to build the jetty. Parts of the beach are closed off due to nesting of shorebirds. You can still access the beach just not certain areas of the sand by the beach. 

We had lunch by the jetty, sitting on old driftwood logs and watching the seagulls and other birds on the bay. My favorite part of the walk was along the beach. (Having just done the OCT section hiking beach walking is my new passion). So I took lots of beach photos. Ienjoy seeing how the ocean encroaches on the sand forming small inlets and pools. 

We found the trail back into the headland. It isn't always easy finding the trails off of the beach. We had to climb a very sand dune to get back onto the upper part of the trail. I slid back and had to cling onto some of the sedges and taller grasses to pull myself up. The trail quickly dove into an understory of pines and tall shrubs which I found enchanting. 

And then this trail connected to the main gravel trail and we headed back to our vehicles. I hiked with a Meetup Group. The PacNW 60+ Adults Hiking and Walking.
​I find myself joining meetups and walking clubs through the American Volkssport Association a terrific way to keep walking and hiking, and meet people who become good friends.