The Oregon Coast Really Blows

We've all read the stories and seen news reports about the early December 2007 windstorm that devastated Oregon's North Coast and claimed Oregon's largest living thing, the Klootchy Creek Giant, one of the largest Sitka Spruce in the World.

But, much like the "Devastation Zone" on Mount St. Helens, it's pretty difficult to appreciate the extent of the damage and the awe-inspiring force of nature required to wreak such havoc if you haven't seen it for yourself. I recommend a trip down Highway 26 and up the coast. Here are a couple quick snapshots that represent less than a speck of the entire damage done.

This is a broken stand of timber across the Highway and up the road from the Klootchy Creek Giant. The stand of relatively young trees had recently been exposed to the wind by a clearcut.





But don't get the wrong idea here; although the debris and evidence of damage are still visible, the coast is cleaned up and ready for business. And given the recent unseasonably spectacular weather, a trip right now is "awesome" all the way around.