Please do NOT post your answers in your log.
Cape Lookout protrudes more than 2 miles out into the Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of thick Columbia River Basalt flows originating from Eastern Oregon. These extensive basalt flows are believed to have been fueled by an enormous magma chamber under what is now known as the Yellowstone hot spot. The North American Plate has been moving SW over this hot spot, which is now located in Eastern Idaho and Wyoming. These Columbia River basalt flows flowed down the Columbia River, dispersed along the northern Oregon coast and possibly flowed through low areas in the Coast Range. Cape Lookout's impressive cliffs are believed to be formed from basalt flows that filled a former river valley approximately 15.5 million years ago when the Coast Range was once much lower in elevation.
This earthcache takes you on an approximately 5-mile round-trip hike on a beautiful forested trail that has approximately 400 feet of cumulative gain with several breathtaking, vertical drop offs ranging from 400 to 800 feet above the ocean. Please be aware of your surroundings (especially near cliffs) and stay on the designated trails. Be prepared for mud any time of the year and many other hikers on weekends and holidays. Gray whale sightings are common December through June. There is no need to ever leave the trail to complete this earthcache.
Please send a message with answers to the following questions:
1. From the posted coordinates at the end of the trail what distant land forms do you see?
2. Do any of these land forms appear to be made of basalt?
Posting a picture in your log of your favorite spot on the trail is optional.
Information for this earthcache was gathered from the following sources:
Roadside Geology of Oregon by Marli B. Miller
In Search of Ancient Oregon by Ellen Morris Bishop
Hiking Oregon's Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop
100 Hikes Oregon Coast & Coast Range by William L. Sullivan