Beach 3 Trailhead

Stairs to Beach 3

NPS/E. Goode

Quick Facts

Amenities

1 listed

Trailhead

Parking is limited on the shoulder of Highway 101, but this charming beach is worth visiting when you can find a space and brave the steep trail.

 

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Full Accessibility Description

Length: 700 feet
Surface Type: Compacted gravel
Typical Trail Width: 2 feet
Typical Running Slope: All downhill to beach level with grades from 7-30% interspersed with stairs
Typical Cross Slope: Under 3%
Elevation Gain/Loss: 60 feet
Accessible Parking: Van-accessible parking immediately across from the trailhead
Description: The trail starts at the south end of the roadside pullout signed for Beach 3. The 2-foot-wide, compacted gravel path starts downhill almost immediately, running at steep grades of 12-30% for the first 240 feet. After 3 stairs, the steepness continues at similar grades to 464 feet before reaching a longer staircase with 20 stairs. Beyond the second staircase, the trail is not as steep but still ranges in grade from 7-12% until 575 feet. There are two cross drains in this stretch.

At 575 feet, the trail reaches a 35-step staircase with a landing after the 11th step. From the bottom of this staircase at 650 feet, the trail narrows slightly, and it is 50 feet farther to the beach. A couple of large roots cross the trail in the final stretch. Expect that some navigation through beach logs will be necessary to reach the water.