Nestled near the shore in the channel leading from Garibaldi to the North Jetty and the Pacific Ocean is a picturesque rock formation known as the Three Graces. The rocks are a favorite of birds and photographers and, at their base, they feature tide pools and excellent beach combing.
Like the other massive rocks that dot the Oregon coastline, they are composed of sandstone and were likely formed between 20 and 30 million years ago. According to George R. Priest, a geologist with Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries coastal field office in Newport, at that time, the entire area, including what is now the Coast Range, was an under-sea marine environment and part of the continental shelf, just as the ocean floor off the coast is today.
Over time and under pressure, this sand consolidated into sandstone. Then, as the earth’s tectonic plates crashed into each other, they pushed up the coastal mountains and fractured and tilted up a ridge of sandstone along the coastline. Over time, the tides and surf wore away the softer portions of this sandstone, leaving behind the rocks we see today.
This is an excellent location to stop for a beautiful picture or to take a stroll along the beach and out onto the rocks on a low tide to explore the shallow pools of water teeming with aquatic life. There are hundreds of sea anemones attached to the rocks, starfish, little crabs and much more to see when the water is low. The Three Graces are close to the opening of Tillamook bay to the ocean and so there is usually boats passing by from the port to ocean and the occasional coast guard vessel cruising by. The tide pools are a great place to take kids that want to explore the rocks and see interesting and cool creatures. Be careful as the seaweed on the rocks further out will be slippery and the current can be swift, so it is best to not go too far out on a low tide and get back in once the tide has turned and starts coming in. I recommend getting out an hour before the low tide especially if it is a negative tide and there will be plenty to look at and the kids will want to probably get going to the next thing before the water starts coming back in from the Ocean.
If you have children with you please keep an eye on them. Just so we can keep them safe and also to keep the area safe. So it can be enjoyed for many more years to come.
Enjoy the Beauty of Nature.
Bob and Becky from Rockaway Beach, Oregon
To Log this Earth Cache you need to email me the answers to the following three questions :
Question 1: Are these rocks made of Basalt or Sandstone
Question 2: How many other Large Rock Formation are in site of the Three Graces that are in the water at high tide???
Question 3: Does the Biggest Rock Formations other then The Three Graces have a hole cut through it that you can see through. True or False.
ALSO,(Optional) Post where your from and at least one picture of the Graces with you and/or your GPS so others can share your adventure.