Devil's Churn - Oregon
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 44° 17.033 W 124° 06.582
10T E 411455 N 4904002
For churning waves, and dramatic crashes on the lava rocks shooting 30 feet (10 m) or more, it doesn't get better than this location on the scenic Oregon Coast Highway, U.S. 101, just south of the small town of Yachats.
Waymark Code: WMB9VA
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 04/24/2011
Views: 19
DEVIL'S CHURN, OREGON
Devil's Churn is a 100-foot notch in the basalt rocks of the Oregon coast where the waves are funneled in to the narrow wedge, concentrating the energy as they churn and crash against the sides, and the east end where spray may surge 30 meters high. The surrounding rocks, especially on the south side, however, offer some of the most dramatic wave spouts.
THE POWER OF DEVILS CHURN
Pulverizing and pounding. Crashing and smashing.
Endlessly, relentlessly, the Pacific Ocean careens into Devils Churn, until the crescendo of waves explodes in a riot of white froth . . .and then escapes back to the sea.
Showtime!
Devils Churn puts on its most dramatic shows during high tides and storms.
Devils Churn began as a small fracture -- a weak area in the ancient volcanic rock.
Thunderous waves have gnawed at the rock for eons, eroding it away grain by grain, enlarging the crack into a chasm.
As you approach, you’ll feel the power of the churn like thunder in your bones, and anticipate each collision of wave and rock like bursting fireworks!
Access to the church is easy from the viewpoint off of U.S. 101 south bound, where there is ample parking, rest facilities, and a visitors center. There is a well-maintained paved switch-back trail that leads to several good viewpoints, and all the way down to the base of the churn and the rocks.
CAPE CREEK BEACH at CAPE PERPETUA, OREGON\
There is also good access from Cape Creak beach via a trail and then over the rocks from the south. It is part of the larger Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, as the church is actually at the base of Cape Perpetua, the jutting headland that is the highest point on the Oregon Coast, rising to a height of 800 feet.
There is also good fishing off of these rocks - for ocean perch especially. Finding some kelp worms will provide the best bait. And, the tide pools between here and Cape Creek Beach are fantastic, teeming miniature ecosystems in themselves with anemones, urchins, seastars, hermit crabs, among many other forms of sea life.
At Cape Creek there is a wonderful campground among the majestic trees along the length of the creek, and a well equipped visitors center just beyond here. There is a network of many miles of trails, and a road that goes to a viewpoint at the top of Caper Perpetua, where one can see the churn far below. Or, one can stay on one of the many motels in the town of Yachats just a few miles north.