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The "Whale"n's Blow Hole LbNA #48044

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 9, 2009
Location:
City:Pacific City
County:Tillamook
State:Oregon
Boxes:1
Planted by:The Padawan's
Found by: Koshka
Last found:Aug 16, 2012
Status:FFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Jun 9, 2009
Just North of Pacific City there is a State Park called Clay Myers. It is a State Natural Area at Whalen Island. Located here you will find a virtually untouched coastal ecosystem. It hosts a great rustic camp ground and a remarkable walking trail. It is one of Oregon’s newest parks, donated in 2000 by the daughters of Lillian Parker Craft in her honor. It is one of Oregons real wonders. On this unique walking trail at Clay Myers you will walk through 3 different coastal ecosystems: Mixed coastal woodlands, grassland-freshwater/saltwater wetland, and rare native dune sedgeland. This letterbox pays homage with 3 special stamps to the 3 unique ecosystems you will pass thru.

The hunt begins in the free parking lot at Clay Meyers. (Whalen Island side has a day use fee) Park near the restrooms and take the trail head that has a gate across it. This is an easy winding hike and is a loop. The first branch of the trail to the right leads to the 1st trail overlook. It overlooks the freshwater portion of the grassland/wetaland of the Sand Lake Estuary. This is area is critical habitat for the salmon moving upstream to spawn. This is also is an excellent area to birdwatch. Take your binoculars and look for area shorebirds and even Bald Eagles. After scouting out the area birds return to the main trail and proceed past the map sign and follow the main trail thru the coastal woodlands. Look for wild Rhodies, Black Huckelberries and Salal. All along this trail are neat little animal (and child) forts and hideouts. You will also notice the massive storm damage that this park sustained in December of 2007 when a Hurricane like storm blew thru with 180 mph winds. Notice trees toppled and tops snapped off. Please be very careful along this whole trail. The tree’s have put out their “tripping roots”.
A little over 1/3 of the way along the trail at the top of a rise there is another path to the right for a overlook of the grassland/wetland. To find the treasure take this trail to the end of the overlook. Notice here how life can come out of death. When a tree dies it will support the life of the forest, nests for birds, homes for bugs and nutrients for other plants around it.

If treasure is what you seek look behind the dead tree under the huckleberries and salel. Please be sure to cover it again.

Enjoy the rest of the trail! Back on the main trail you will notice the trail change into a dune segland. (Please stay on the trails in this area, native grasses and plants are slow growing) There are also trails down onto the beach. If you take that route be do be careful of another natural wonder of the area....QUICKSAND!