Name: Floras Lake Beach
Rating: 5.0

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Plan in onX Backcountry

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Features Birding · Lake · Views · Waterfall

Family Friendly On a fair day, this trail features a long stretch of sandy beach, which is fun for the whole family.

The beach north of Floras Lake Beach is closed March-September to protect nesting shorebirds. This trail is not suitable to hike in stormy weather, when the waves could trap or kill a visitor against the sheer cliffs.

Overview

Hike through sand hills to a sand beach. Shortly south of the access trail, the cliffs rise for an almost English-coast experience, with scraggly trees atop the cliffs. An arch and several sea caves can be found in the cliffs; at the end of the beach, a waterfall tumbles down the headland to the rocks and sand below.

Need to Know

Plan your route around low tide, or you may become trapped against the sheer cliffs. Do not attempt to negotiate this beach in stormy weather.

Description

Start your journey by crossing the bridge and following the trail through the sand dunes and past the lake to access Floras Lake Beach. Turn left and head out along the sandy beach. After passing the lake (out of sight), cliffs begin to rise on the left. The cliffs continue to rise higher and higher until they are reminiscent of cliffs along English beaches - the trees atop the headlands diminish this illusion, but add an interesting effect to the overall scene.

About 2.3 miles from the trailhead, enjoy views of a very large sea arch on left. Continue another 0.7 miles to the end of Floras Lake Beach at a headland. A waterfall tumbles down the cliff face nearby. At low tide, it may be possible to continue around the headland a short distance, with interesting rocks, driftwood, and other debris.