History

A Look Back At CoastWalk Oregon

Back in 2016, as North Coast Land Conservancy was approaching its 30th anniversary, we hatched an idea for how to mark that milestone. What if we invited 50 people to spend three days walking 30 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail with us—10 miles a day—starting at the mouth of the Columbia River, with proceeds to be used to conserve more coastal lands? We quickly filled those 50 spots. That first CoastWalk Oregon was an experience none of the participants will ever forget, from the 30 mph headwinds on Day 1 to the blue skies on Days 2 and 3, the friendships forged, and the huge sense of accomplishment we all shared.

The next year we invited more participants to take part in CoastWalk Oregon 2017, staging it on the next 30 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail, from Cannon Beach to the mouth of Nehalem Bay, and applying everything we learned from that first experimental year. Coincidentally 2017 was the 50th anniversary of the Oregon Beach Bill. So we invited Gov. Oswald West (1873–1960)—whose conservation of the Oregon shoreline in 1913 set the stage for the Beach Bill—and his horse, Fred the Freak, to join us on the beach the morning of Day 1 to see off our hikers. This slideshow video captures a few moments from CoastWalk Oregon 2017.

“This was a walk that soothed your soul. I loved each part of it.”

—Susie, Portland OR, CWO 2017