Oregon coast has a ‘ghost forest’

The Oregon Coast has many surprises — including the interesting but somewhat eerie Ghost Forest near Neskowin in Tillamook County, about 15 miles north of Lincoln City.

The Neskowin Ghost Forest is located near Proposal Rock and within the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site. This area was once a forest of Sitka spruce trees. They were 150-200 feet high and at least 200 years old when a natural disaster happened.

Scientists believe an enormous earthquake caused the land to fall. A tsunami wave then covered the area with mud. In the winter of 1997-1998, large storms took away the sand that covered the stumps.

Today, the 100 or so stumps are about 2,000 years old. Visitors can easily see the stumps at low tides. Barnacles, mussels, and other sea life cover the stumps. Some have hollow centers that create shallow pools of water with small fish or crabs.

Apple recently made a video about the Neskowin Ghost Forest. It used an iPhone to make a special short movie. A narrator whispers the history of this strange place. Apple recommends using headphones to experience the full effect. Listen for yourself — with headphones, of course!

^{-This story was first published in ESOL News Oregon August 9, 2019.}