An 1890 lighthouse and an ancient spruce forest top this dramatic bluff. The headland’s name honors British Captain John Meares, who built a fur-trading fort in Nootka, Alaska and sailed south in 1788 questing for the great river of the Northwest. He overlooked the Columbia and turned back here. For a short stroll to the lighthouse, drive west from . . .

For a more substantial hike, drive back . . .

Long-distance Oregon Coast Trail trekkers will find . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Oregon Coast