There's no arguing that the Otter Crest Loop is one of the most startling and beautiful drives on Oregon's Central Coast. It's been several years since a small part of the road vanished into the lovely and scary scenery -- but the one-lane part of the drive is very short, and then it opens back up into a more comfortable fit. It will absolutely take your breath away -- and then it will do it again and again. Every turn along this passage is a new and beautiful view.
To make this drive you have to enter from the N end of the "loop" at the scenic viewpoint (just S of Depoe Bay) end of the road, then you wind south through tunnels and narrow passageways created by the trees, tree trunks and roots -- through dense forest, and beside narrow drop-offs. Since the road is closed to northbound driving, you can make the drive at as slow a pace as you like -- and stop for photos, or even leisurely wander through the woods. There are very few sections of the road with any shoulder at all -- so take advantage of any place you find with enough room to leave your car.
I've taken this drive at a creeping pace -- and it takes about 15 minutes that way. If the winds are up or there's heavy rain, that's probably still a little nerve rattling. It will lead you to the Devil's Punch Bowl area at Cape Foulweather -- then a couple of turns and it's an easy re-entry into Hwy 101.
At different times of the year, the view is different. More dense in the spring and summer, more colorful (only slightly) in the fall. But it's never *not* lush and green and amazes even the long-time coastal wanderer. It's a little history lesson -- I am always amazed by the notion that a ship full of sailors would be able to come ashore at Cape Foulweather at all -- either the wind is blowing 100+mph, or the temp is frigid, or the waves are crashing and throwing anything and everything into the basalt rocks.... They must have wanted to see what was here in the worst sort of way. And in the rainy season -- well. If you're here in the rainy season, it's a whole other level of foulweather!
But what fun! read more