Haystack Rock is a 235-foot sea
stack in Cannon Beach, Oregon. It is sometimes claimed locally to be the
third-tallest such "intertidal" structure in the world, but there are
no official references to support this. Haystack Rock is located about 1.5
miles south of downtown Cannon Beach in Clatsop County and about 80 miles west
of Portland. Haystack rock is a popular
tourist destination is nearby to the beach and accessible by foot at low tide. The
tallest and probably best known Haystack Rock stands 327 feet above the sea and
is the fourth tallest sea stack or off-shore monolith in the world. The monolithic
rock tide pools are home to many intertidal (meaning it can be reached by land)
animals, including starfish, sea anemone, Chitons, crabs, limpets, and sea
slugs. The rock is a favorite nesting site for many sea birds, including terns
and puffins. Haystack Rock is one of the most identifiable geological
formations of Oregon.
There are 6 other geographic
features in Oregon named Haystack Rock, including two others along the Oregon
Coast and others throughout the U.S. Haystack Rock is accompanied by several
smaller rocks known as The Needles. The other Oregon coastal Haystack Rock stands
105 feet above sea level in Coos County near Bandon. Haystack rock is composed
of basalt, formed by lava flows emanating from the Blue Mountains and Columbia
basin about 15 million years ago. The lava flows formed numerous Oregon coast's
natural features, including Tillamook Head, Arch Cape, and Saddle Mountain.
Haystack Rock was once joined to the coastline but passing of centuries the
erosion has since separated the monolith from the coast. The Haystack Rock
Awareness Program (HRAP) is a stewardship and environmental educational program
whose mission is to protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology
of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack
Rock.
In 1990, Haystack Rock was
granted Marine Garden status collecting plants or animals is strictly
prohibited. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program is a volunteer association
which conducts educational seminars at the rock during low tide between May and
September. Climbing above the mean high tide level disturbs nesting birds and
is not allowed. At Haystack Rock visitors can view several species of marine
wildlife in their natural habitat during low tide. The thin strip of rock and
sand that connects it to the beach features many tide pools. The area
surrounding the rock is popular for picnicking, kite-flying, and bird-watching.
Moreover, it is ideal place for photographers to capture the majestic beauty of
Haystack Rock on canvas or on film. Many people each year become temporarily
trapped on Haystack Rock when high tide engulfs the rock in water,
necessitating rescue by the United States Coast Guard or local authorities.
Oregon's beaches are congested with tourist in summer make the beautiful beachfront
within walking distance of Haystack Rock. Source: CP
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