King Tide Wave Watching: Barview Jetty

Attention photographers! The king tides are the tallest waves of the year and they usually take Oregon by storm, literally and figuratively. They do a lot of damage but, like most freaks of nature, they're fun to watch from a distance.

The North Jetty at the mouth of Tillamook Bay is a coveted spot for storm watching. Thundering walls of white foam get thrown up over the 26' tall beacon sitting out at the toe. You can park within 1500' of the action and look monster waves right in the eye at about 20' above sea level.

Don't worry, there's several massive boulders standing between you and the splash zone, not to mention a lot of signs warning idiots about venturing out any further--we will NOT be doing that. As a matter of fact, if things get truly hairy, the sheriff typically rolls up and shuts down the whole area: "Alright, everybody out of the pool!"

There's good bird watching on the jetty and in the channel and a few cheeky harbor seals usually body surf the waves. If it's sunny, the California ground squirrels come out of the rocks and right up to you. If it's stormy, rare open water sea birds are often blown in. I've spotted rhinoceros auklets, Marbled Murrelets, and Leach's storm-petrels.

Here's a massive flock of dunlins I found last winter.

Here's a minor sneaker wave taking a shot at us.

Here's what a major one can do.

We'll photograph waves and seabirds from the jetty ($10 parking fee), then walk up a tiny lookout hill a few hundred feet away for a broader view. We will NOT be roaming the beach at any time: I've seen killer sneaker waves do some gnarly @#$%! with logs that weigh more than your car. From there, weather permitting, we'll drive the 101 south about half a mile to photograph a sexy formation of sea stacks called The Three Graces that look like a giant Japanese Zen garden, then on to Garibaldi another mile south to check out the longest pier in Oregon that leads to the Garibaldi Historic US Coast Guard Boathouse. If you don't want to drive back to Portland in the dark, head back by 3 PM.

Bring $5 cash, debit/credit card to pay $10 state park fee, weather appropriate clothing including waterproof winter gear, hat, and boots, snacks/beverage, binoculars/scope, and all your camera equipment. Vault toilet at jetty and nice flush restrooms in campground nearby, seasonal portapotty at boathouse pier parking lot.

Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks. Please arrive early so we can find each other before the start time. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV; I'll be in a navy windbreaker, black pants, and bright blue/green hat.

NOTE: This event is for stormwatchers and adrenaline junkies, so high winds and stormy conditions are welcomed, and you will be responsible for your own safety and comfort. I cannot stress this enough: Dress WARM. You will be standing, not hiking.

DRIVING DETAILS: To continue from the jetty to the Three Graces, backtrack to the 101 and turn right. Go 0.5 mi. to the gravel pull out on your right next to the railroad tracks.

To continue from Three Graces to the pier, turn south onto the 101 again for 1 mi. and turn right on 12th Street. Turn right at Bay Lane at the next intersection and go 0.1 mi. to the gravel parking lot.