Cedar Wetlands Preserve, Rockaway Beach, Oregon, August 6, 2021
The parking lot for the Cedar Wetlands Preserve is on Hwy 101, just North of Washington St., in South Rockaway Beach, Oregon. If fact, if you are coming North on Hwy 101, the City Sign for Rockaway Beach is right next to this parking area. This area was once a Nature Conservancy property. It was turned over to the city of Rockaway beach more than a decade ago. The giant Western Red Cedar here, named "The Big Tree" is between 800-1200 years old. it is more than 150 feet tall and has a circumference of roughly 50 feet. It has a boardwalk that protects the roots of the plants here. Along with the giant cedar here, there are lots of other large trees and lots of vegetation. Wikipedia says that Western Skunk Cabbage leaves are up to 150 cm long (just under 5 feet). However, there are some here that appear to be over 6 feet! The hike on the boardwalk is just over a mile round trip.