Posted by Laurie Wendt on January 31, 2009 at 3:58 PM
I'll be making my first trip to Oregon on April 18-25.
I'll be heading to the Hood River area for 2 days then heading for the coast. I know it's not enough time but I've got 3 days to explore from Bandon to Brookings. I was hoping someone who's been there can help me out. I'll be staying in motels so I was wondering how anyone would suggest I divide my time up? Two days in Bandon and 1 in Brookings or the opposite?
Hi laurie. I think you should be able to get quite a bit of shooting done in 3 days. You can't go wrong in Bandon. It's pretty straight forward as to getting good shots. There are lots of options there. Once you get down towards Brookings, things are more spread out. While it's extremely beautiful and rugged, it takes a little more knowledge of the area to get the most out of your time. I'd suggest at least one sunset and sunrise in Bandon. If you leave Bandon after sunrise, you could spend a good part of your day heading South stopping at all of the beaches and viewpoints. It's about an hour and a half drive from Bandon to Brookings w/o stopping. You could then decide where you'd like to shoot for sunset after surveying the area.
A few quick suggestions for stops between the two towns are Cape Blanco/Blacklock Point, Port Orford (almost as good as Bandon), Myers Creek, Arch Rock area, and Harris Beach in Brookings. Those are all listed from North to South.
Hopefully that will get you started. If you want specifics on locations, let me know. I'll do my best to help.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 31, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Ho Laurie,
I drove the entire coast over a two week period last May with my family.
Samuel Boardman State Park is my favorite section of the entire coast with Bandon being high on the list. The sea stacks with trees at SBSP are the best. Take a look at the map here: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/boardman.pdf
I agree with Aaron's suggestions. However we spent three days at SBSP and could have spent more time there. Since you are doing it all in 3 days do at least one 'sunset' at Bandon then head to SBSP. Here is a Bandon example from the stacks:
Posted by Kosta Koeman on February 1, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Laurie,
I'll just add a little tidbit. On your way from Hood River to the coast, you may want to stop by Punch Bowl Falls now that the log is gone as reported earlier here. I know I'll be making a few trips down there this spring.
Kosta
Posted by Laurie Wendt on February 1, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Thanks everyone for your responses.
Aaron thanks for the additional locations to check out. I quickly went through some of your website. You've got some really nice stuff. I will definitely make it a point to check it out more thoroughly before my trip in April.
Derek thanks for the links. I had previously went through your trip pictures. Your great shots are what convinced me to make the southern Oregon coast a priority to see.
Kosta thanks for the suggestion. The Eagle Creek trail is on my list of to do's. But not sure if I'll have the time for the longer hike.
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on February 1, 2009 at 4:03 PM
It's 2.2 miles to Punchbowl falls - you can keep going 15+ more miles, but punchbowl comes up fairly quickly.... FYI.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on February 1, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Posted by Jack Graham on February 2, 2009 at 12:31 AM
went to punchbowl yesterday with the dogs---man was it muddy
Posted by Laurie Wendt on February 2, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Thanks John for the trail info.
Thanks Amy for the suggestion. I do have an the old version of his Oregon Photo Traveler Guide. I see he has some new newsletter's of Oregon that I may want to get.
Jack thanks for the trail update.
Posted by declan medina on February 3, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Hi Laurie,
I Live in brookings,OR
Maybe I can help , I hike and shoot the Sam H Boardman park often,
Dec
Ps- Hi All ! javascript:%20x()
Posted by Greg Vaughn on February 9, 2009 at 2:21 AM
Bandon is definitely the number 1 spot on the southern Oregon coast for photographers, and while I'm in agreement with the other posts here about Harris Beach and Samuel Boardman State Parks being great photo locations, I recommend that you also try to fit the Sunset Bay-Shore Acres-Cape Arago complex of state parks into your plans. Or at least Shore Acres, which has a wonderful formal garden as well as great views of dramatic coastal cliffs and crashing surf.
It sounds like you're heading directly from the Columbia Gorge to the southern Oregon coast, and if that's the case, you could leave the Gorge early in the morning, hit Shore Acres mid-day and be in Bandon in time for sunset.
Discussion
10 repliesI'll be heading to the Hood River area for 2 days then heading for the coast. I know it's not enough time but I've got 3 days to explore from Bandon to Brookings. I was hoping someone who's been there can help me out. I'll be staying in motels so I was wondering how anyone would suggest I divide my time up? Two days in Bandon and 1 in Brookings or the opposite?
Thanks
A few quick suggestions for stops between the two towns are Cape Blanco/Blacklock Point, Port Orford (almost as good as Bandon), Myers Creek, Arch Rock area, and Harris Beach in Brookings. Those are all listed from North to South.
Hopefully that will get you started. If you want specifics on locations, let me know. I'll do my best to help.
I drove the entire coast over a two week period last May with my family.
Samuel Boardman State Park is my favorite section of the entire coast with Bandon being high on the list. The sea stacks with trees at SBSP are the best. Take a look at the map here: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/boardman.pdf
I agree with Aaron's suggestions. However we spent three days at SBSP and could have spent more time there. Since you are doing it all in 3 days do at least one 'sunset' at Bandon then head to SBSP. Here is a Bandon example from the stacks:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/306376568_qLqup-XL.jpg
The lupines right before Humbug Mtn. were amazing in May. However I don't know if they are in bloom in April:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/5013181_7nmjX#302721138_fBgPp-A-LB
Arch Rock is a good place to start in SBSP and a good goto spot for morning or sunset:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/5013181_7nmjX#303331936_NyU9b-A-LB
Then explore the park. Here is Lone Ranch:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/5013181_7nmjX#304455655_pWyzd-A-LB
Have fun and post some images when you get back.
Derek
I'll just add a little tidbit. On your way from Hood River to the coast, you may want to stop by Punch Bowl Falls now that the log is gone as reported earlier here. I know I'll be making a few trips down there this spring.
Kosta
Aaron thanks for the additional locations to check out. I quickly went through some of your website. You've got some really nice stuff. I will definitely make it a point to check it out more thoroughly before my trip in April.
Derek thanks for the links. I had previously went through your trip pictures. Your great shots are what convinced me to make the southern Oregon coast a priority to see.
Kosta thanks for the suggestion. The Eagle Creek trail is on my list of to do's. But not sure if I'll have the time for the longer hike.
http://www.photographamerica.com
Thanks Amy for the suggestion. I do have an the old version of his Oregon Photo Traveler Guide. I see he has some new newsletter's of Oregon that I may want to get.
Jack thanks for the trail update.
I Live in brookings,OR
Maybe I can help , I hike and shoot the Sam H Boardman park often,
Dec
Ps- Hi All ! javascript:%20x()
It sounds like you're heading directly from the Columbia Gorge to the southern Oregon coast, and if that's the case, you could leave the Gorge early in the morning, hit Shore Acres mid-day and be in Bandon in time for sunset.