Rockaway Beach Hidden Treasure
Little did we know in all the years we have been visiting Rockaway Beach, Oregon there is a hidden treasure nestled so close to where my sister-in-law used to live. Our friends are visiting Rockaway Beach and the Oregon’s north coast around the same time we are. My sister-in-law mentioned Rockaway Beach Hidden Treasure as one of the places we should visit together. Coincidentally, there was an article published of The Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk on their local newspaper yesterday.
Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk
Just off the busy Oregon Coast Highway 101 after the East Washington Street is a Rockaway Beach Welcome signboard on the right. There, a trail leads to Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk with around 45 acres of wetlands and an old growth Cedar sanctuary. A plaque is dedicated in memory of Terri Michel for her services to the City of Rockaway Beach. There is no other sign indicating the location of the Boardwalk. This hidden treasure was under the care of The Nature Conservancy until it opened to public in June 2019. Terri’s proudest accomplishments was this Boardwalk. Be sure to get here early because parking space can only accommodates a few cars.
Elevated Boardwalk
The Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk is suitable for everyone of all ages. It is an elevated boardwalk accessible for people with disabilities and baby strollers. I wish my ornithologist friend were here because he can identify bird calls for us. Old growth stumps jut out amongst the trees and bushes. The 1.2 miles of Boardwalk branches into two directions without a signboard to the famed Big Cedar Tree. There is a sign for a dirt trail off the Boardwalk. We head left and end up on the observation deck with picnic tables. It is a nice place to absorb nature in peace BUT we have a mission to see the Big Old Cedar Tree! How difficult can it be to spot the very tall big tree? Our friend, Sharon decides we need to use a GPS!
The Big Cedar Tree
If you have read this far, head to the right when the Boardwalk branches out. The trail brings us deeper into the old growth of large western red cedar, some Sitka and other trees indigenous to the Oregon Coast. At the end of the loop is the grand Big Cedar Tree! We pay homage to this impressive oldest tree in Oregon. The Big Cedar Tree and others around it are around 600 – 800 years old. It’s circumference is around 50 feet and about 150 feet tall. We stand in awe, in the presence of something so ancient and sacred. What an amazing opportunity to witness this tree in companies of good friends. This is unquestionably Rockaway Beach hidden treasure.
Dirt Trail
We follow the loop of the boardwalk and reach an entryway to the dirt trail. I didn’t expect to go on a dirt hike and am ill equipped with dress and sandals. Fortunately, it hasn’t been raining so the trail is dry. It is a very fortuitous decision to go ahead and walk this dirt trail. We are smack in the natural forest just off the highway! The trees are huge and some of the roots are as tall as us. They remind us of our trip to the Borneo rainforest. This nature sanctuary gives us photo opportunity and memories that we will talk about and return to visit again.
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