You can bike it or walk it, and if you tackle all, or even a portion, of this remarkable mostly paved trail, you’ll be treated to some of the state’s most exhilarating seaside scenery, while enjoying stimulating art and interesting interpretive exhibits along the way.

You’ll also gain a new appreciation for the compelling history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The 8.5-mile Discovery Trail joins the popular vacation town of Long Beach on the north end of the peninsula and the historic fishing village of Ilwaco near the mouth of the Columbia River to the south.

Unlike many trails that connect towns… [more]

North Head Lighthouse — Cape Disappointment State Park

• Roundtrip Loop: 4.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 300 feet
• Fees/Restrictions: Discover Pass required; dogs must be leashed.
• Kid-friendly

Like the Westport Lighthouse, the beacon gracing Cape Disappointment’s North Head on the Long Beach Peninsula was also built in 1898. But this lighthouse only stands at 65 feet tall as opposed to Westport’s towering 107 feet. However, what makes this lighthouse so dramatic is its setting. It sits upon a 130-foot coastal headland overlooking one of the most treacherous sections of coastline on the Pacific.

As with Westport’s lighthouse, you can easily access North Head by driving to a short paved path. But why? We’re here to hike, right!? Instead, reach it via a wonderful 2.1 mile route over rugged North Head. The North Head Trail is one of the wonderful hiking options in the 1,884-acre Cape Disappointment State Park. Lewis and Clark named the wild seaside bluff back in 1805, during a miserable winter.

Start through a flat marshy area before heading up onto a small rugged ridge. Pass through mist-saturated groves of ancient Sitka spruce. Found primarily along the coast from Northern California to Southern Alaska, Cape Disappointment harbors nice stands of this scaly barked conifer.

At 1.8 miles, come to a parking lot. Turn left and continue .3 mile down a trail leading to the lighthouse. Savor the views and embrace the full force of the Pacific from this treacherous spot. Good thing there is a lighthouse here.

If you still want to explore, check out the lighthouse on Cape Disappointment, also in the park. Built in 1856, it’s the state’s oldest. Consider following the Westwind Trail one mile down to Beard’s Hollow on the beach.

Bill Wagner / The Daily News

Cape Disappointment State Park interpretive specialist Aaron Webster takes in the expansive view of the Pacific Ocean and mouth of the Columbia River from the top of the North Head Lighthouse near Ilwaco on Wednesday morning.

The lighthouse is open for tours daily during summer, depending on availability of staff.

So close — but so many paddle strokes away.

That’s the way I regarded Long Island for decades. I’d wanted to hike to the island’s well publicized grove of giant, thousand-year-old cedar trees. But getting to the island requires a canoe or kayak, and I didn’t have one.

This week I finally got to the grove, thanks to the Mount St. Helens Hiking Club and their small fleet of kayaks.

On a beautiful sunny day, I was surprised to learn several things about the island.

Photo: funbeach.com photo contest: Michael Norris

Anglers hoping for another banner year of fishing for Dungeness crab [full story]

“It was a record year for the recreational fishery in 2011, and I would say a lot of that is driven by crab abundance and not necessarily the additional days on the water,” said Rich Childers, the state Fish and Wildlife crab manager.

…”What we saw in the catch data was the success rate per fisherman was really high,” Childers said. “The average catch per angler, per trip went up to four crabs, and usually it’s more like 3.3.”

…The coastal areas off Ilwaco …are currently open for crab fishing …For more specific regulations check the regulation pamphlet or go to http://wdfw/wa/gov.

Take a tour of The Station, The National Motor Lifeboat School, The Motor Lifeboats and Homeland Security Response boat.

See a Coast Guard Helicopter and a Motor Lifeboat in action during a live Search and Rescue demonstration.

Coast Guard Helicopter available for public viewing.

Discuss possible career opportunities with a Coast Guard Recruiter.

See the Resources of your local Search and Rescue agencies:
- Local Fire Departments
- Local Police Departments
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- And many others!

See the basics of maritime damage control in the “Wet Trainer”

Set up a Vessel examination with the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The event is free and helps support the Ilwaco St Vincent De Paul food bank.

The event is free and helps support the Ilwaco St Vincent De Paul food bank.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse invite the public to attend the 114th anniversary of the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco. Saturday, May 19, 2012

The event commemorates the anniversary of the historic lighthouse with self-guided tours of the Lighthouse Keeper’s Residence, memories shared by those who lived at or cared for the lighthouse and live music by the Ilwaco High School Jazz Band. Refreshments will be available. The North Head gift shop will be open during the event. There will be raffles and prizes, the ticket proceeds support The Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse mission to restore and preserve the North Head Lighthouse.

You are welcome to tour the North Head Lighthouse and lantern room from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. as part of the anniversary celebration. Tours are $2.50 for adults and free for children 7 to 17. Children must be 7 years or older to tour the lighthouse.

Parking is limited at the North Head Lighthouse. Participants may park at the Cape Disappointment State Park campground store lot and take the transport van to the lighthouse. The Discover Pass is required to attend this event.

The Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse sponsor the 114th North Head Lighthouse anniversary. The Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse formed in 2009 to insure a steadfast vigil and sound legacy for the lighthouse. The Keepers promote awareness, raise publicity and are spearheading efforts to restore the North Head Lighthouse, which has been damaged from time and the harsh elements of the Pacific Coast.

“This was taken in an area south of Long Beach WA. It’s a park called “Cape Disappointment SP”. I didn’t have much time in the area, but I think the next time I visit WA i’ll have to explore there more. Long Beach WA is a nice place, quaint little town. So if you don’t like the more glamorous long beach CA, consider the WA one.”

“…In the annals of geekdom, this ranks pretty high, I know. Who flies kites, in this “Angry Birds” and Facebook age, anyway?

Plenty, apparently, along the Long Beach Peninsula. This is the kite-flying capital of America, home to the annual Washington State International Kite Festival and the World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame.

Far-flung fame

When Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks Pictures needed a kite consultant for the movie “The Kite Runner,” it contacted the kite museum.”

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