Posted by Lon Overacker on July 16, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Hey folks,
My wife and I are planning a vacation and have settled on the southern coast of Oregon. We're looking at some vaction rentals near Gold Beach. I would have liked to find something closer to Bandon, but it's a bit pricier.
So, I have a few questions if you wouldn't mind offering some tips and advice.
As far as driving from CA:
I see 3 options coming up Highway 5 from CA.
1. From Grants Pass, heading south on 199 to Crescent City, then north to Gold Beach.
2. From near Roseburg, 42 to Bandon and then south to Gold Beach.
3. Looks like there's a road from Grant's Pass to Gold Beach somewhat following the Rogue river. I'm guessing this is a narrow 2-lane road that wife and dog may not go for - but looks like the fewest miles.
Any thoughts on the best route would be appreciated.
Now, for the important part - photography. :-) I've been to Bandon once and would like to return.
What is the weather like from end of Sep thru mid of Oct? I'm assuming the summer fog pattern will be gone and will be generally clear before winter storms start. I'm thinking in general skies will be clear? Not necessarily good... but I think will be enjoyable for the wife and travel.
Any preferred beach/seascape locations between the CA border and Coos Bay? Is Bandon the best location?
I'd like to hit the Oregon Dunes. Any particular access points you recommend?
Any fall color? particular locations for color? Going inland for a daytrip is a possiblity as well. Crater Lake, too far.
Since this is just as much a trip for my wife and I to get away as it is for photography, I will probably limit my times to the hours surrounding sunrise and sunset, leaving the rest of the time for "vacationing."
Anyway, thanks for your time. Any tips, suggestions or general info would be appreciated. I think you all know my style from many of the Yosemite images and my files are pretty thin as far as seascapes go, so I'm really looking forward to this.
I've been photographing in Oregon for many years , but only living here the last year or so. Others will direct you better than I since I usually just make my way down the coast from PDX.
As you know both Bandon & Gold Beach are wonderfuil in good light.
Your timing is pretty good. Late Sept - Mid Oct last year was really good on the coast. It seems like the rainy season doesnt begin until sometime mid-late October. One thing you'll learn quickly is that weather predictions are pretty inaccurate, to say the least. But.... no matter what the weather, you can always make some interesting images in this part of the world.
No doubt you'll get some great input from the natives. but if you loose your return ticket, it won't be the worst thing in the world!
Just com on up and don't worry about the light, you can't control it. Enjoy Oregon... and if you get some shots, so be it.
I've taken options 1 & 2 Lon and both are good options. Sept to mid-Oct has the best weather on the OR coast, so the drama you're looking for may not be there. Then again, given the southern OR coast, there can be some pretty nice light with all the sea stacks. Bandon is a given and is an absolutely great beach. I also like the south end of Harris Beach closer to Gold Beach. Near Coos Bay, I'd hit Cape Arago and Charleston Harbor may have some of that fog you're looking for (no beach scenery, just harbor boats). Near Bandon there is also the Coquille lighthouse and further south the Cape Blanco lighthouse. If you want a hike, I'd try the 100 ft cliffs between Blacklock Point and Floras Lake. The narrow strip of Boardman State Park between Gold Beach and Brookings has also some of the best sea stacks and arches on the coast. You'll need some pretty good tides to get around some of the headlands there. I'd check the tide tables online for Gold Beach etc. and see when they best fit sunrise and sunset. For the OR dunes I'd try the Eel Creek Dunes 20 miles north of Coos Bay (there is a state park parking area) these are the best dunes on the coast without ATV trails (hikers only). I've been here at both sunrise and sunset, (less windy in the morning, but better light in the evening) the trail is 1/2 mile through forest and then there are dunes for 6 miles to the beach. I generally head in about 1/2 mile or so after the 1/2 mile forest and then go right (north) for the best dunes in the area (highly recommended). I have a pic of these dunes in my online porfolio if you want to check it out. Otherwise, have fun, drive safely, and it sounds like a great trip.
p.s. You may want to pick up David Middleton & Rod Barbee's Photography Guide to the Oregon Coast for more suggestions.
David M. Cobb
Posted by Greg Vaughn on July 18, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Lon,
The quickest route from I-5 to the coast is Roseburg to Coos Bay via Hwy 42; it's relatively scenic, but nothing great. Hwy 199 from Grants Pass to Hwy 101 on the coast is very scenic, and takes about 2.5 hours; highly recommended.
There is a road following the Rogue River, actually two of them, that will eventually bring you to the coast from the Grants Pass area, but both are long, winding roads and the views are mostly vast expanses of forest. The Galice-to-Agness road, FR 23 is mostly paved and mostly one-lane with pull-outs. It is okay during summer but I strongly recommend against it from October to February. This is where a family got lost in the snow a couple of years ago and the husband/father died trying to find a way out. On the coast side, the section of the road from Gold Beach to Agness, following the lower Rogue River, is very good, with some nice views of the river and might make a nice day trip.
Late September and all of October, the weather is very changeable in most of Oregon. Could be cloudless, could be stormy, but you're right that the fog bank is generally not a problem. Bring fleece and Goretex, regardless.
IMHO, Bandon is the best - anywhere between Coquille Point and just south of Face Rock State Wayside. But also visit the Charleston-Sunset Bay-Shore Acres-Cape Arago area. The coast along the Cape Sebastian and Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridors is fantastic. Nice little hikes to little known viewpoints by following segments of the Oregon Coast Trail near Natural Bridges, Indian Sands, and Whalehead Beach. Harris Beach State Park is also very good. Most anyplace on the coast can be great at sunset, but Bandon, Cape Sebastian and Harris Beach can also be good at sunrise.
As David mentioned, the best place to photograph the sand dunes is near Eel Creek Campground; look for the John Dellenback Dunes Trail access immediately south of the campground entrance.
You'll probably be a little too early for Fall color in the south coast area, but in mid-October might find some in the Coast Range on the roads to Golden & Silver Falls or Kentucky Falls. Even without Fall color, these are great for a nice mid-day hike on cloudy or overcast days.
The southern Oregon coast is a fantastic area - you're in for a real treat.
Discussion
3 repliesMy wife and I are planning a vacation and have settled on the southern coast of Oregon. We're looking at some vaction rentals near Gold Beach. I would have liked to find something closer to Bandon, but it's a bit pricier.
So, I have a few questions if you wouldn't mind offering some tips and advice.
As far as driving from CA:
I see 3 options coming up Highway 5 from CA.
1. From Grants Pass, heading south on 199 to Crescent City, then north to Gold Beach.
2. From near Roseburg, 42 to Bandon and then south to Gold Beach.
3. Looks like there's a road from Grant's Pass to Gold Beach somewhat following the Rogue river. I'm guessing this is a narrow 2-lane road that wife and dog may not go for - but looks like the fewest miles.
Any thoughts on the best route would be appreciated.
Now, for the important part - photography. :-) I've been to Bandon once and would like to return.
What is the weather like from end of Sep thru mid of Oct? I'm assuming the summer fog pattern will be gone and will be generally clear before winter storms start. I'm thinking in general skies will be clear? Not necessarily good... but I think will be enjoyable for the wife and travel.
Any preferred beach/seascape locations between the CA border and Coos Bay? Is Bandon the best location?
I'd like to hit the Oregon Dunes. Any particular access points you recommend?
Any fall color? particular locations for color? Going inland for a daytrip is a possiblity as well. Crater Lake, too far.
Since this is just as much a trip for my wife and I to get away as it is for photography, I will probably limit my times to the hours surrounding sunrise and sunset, leaving the rest of the time for "vacationing."
Anyway, thanks for your time. Any tips, suggestions or general info would be appreciated. I think you all know my style from many of the Yosemite images and my files are pretty thin as far as seascapes go, so I'm really looking forward to this.
Thanks!
Lon
I've been photographing in Oregon for many years , but only living here the last year or so. Others will direct you better than I since I usually just make my way down the coast from PDX.
As you know both Bandon & Gold Beach are wonderfuil in good light.
Your timing is pretty good. Late Sept - Mid Oct last year was really good on the coast. It seems like the rainy season doesnt begin until sometime mid-late October. One thing you'll learn quickly is that weather predictions are pretty inaccurate, to say the least. But.... no matter what the weather, you can always make some interesting images in this part of the world.
No doubt you'll get some great input from the natives. but if you loose your return ticket, it won't be the worst thing in the world!
Just com on up and don't worry about the light, you can't control it. Enjoy Oregon... and if you get some shots, so be it.
JG
p.s. You may want to pick up David Middleton & Rod Barbee's Photography Guide to the Oregon Coast for more suggestions.
David M. Cobb
The quickest route from I-5 to the coast is Roseburg to Coos Bay via Hwy 42; it's relatively scenic, but nothing great. Hwy 199 from Grants Pass to Hwy 101 on the coast is very scenic, and takes about 2.5 hours; highly recommended.
There is a road following the Rogue River, actually two of them, that will eventually bring you to the coast from the Grants Pass area, but both are long, winding roads and the views are mostly vast expanses of forest. The Galice-to-Agness road, FR 23 is mostly paved and mostly one-lane with pull-outs. It is okay during summer but I strongly recommend against it from October to February. This is where a family got lost in the snow a couple of years ago and the husband/father died trying to find a way out. On the coast side, the section of the road from Gold Beach to Agness, following the lower Rogue River, is very good, with some nice views of the river and might make a nice day trip.
Late September and all of October, the weather is very changeable in most of Oregon. Could be cloudless, could be stormy, but you're right that the fog bank is generally not a problem. Bring fleece and Goretex, regardless.
IMHO, Bandon is the best - anywhere between Coquille Point and just south of Face Rock State Wayside. But also visit the Charleston-Sunset Bay-Shore Acres-Cape Arago area. The coast along the Cape Sebastian and Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridors is fantastic. Nice little hikes to little known viewpoints by following segments of the Oregon Coast Trail near Natural Bridges, Indian Sands, and Whalehead Beach. Harris Beach State Park is also very good. Most anyplace on the coast can be great at sunset, but Bandon, Cape Sebastian and Harris Beach can also be good at sunrise.
As David mentioned, the best place to photograph the sand dunes is near Eel Creek Campground; look for the John Dellenback Dunes Trail access immediately south of the campground entrance.
You'll probably be a little too early for Fall color in the south coast area, but in mid-October might find some in the Coast Range on the roads to Golden & Silver Falls or Kentucky Falls. Even without Fall color, these are great for a nice mid-day hike on cloudy or overcast days.
The southern Oregon coast is a fantastic area - you're in for a real treat.
- Greg