Tidepools to Trails to Telescopes – Central Coast

Join Cape Perpetua Collaborative, Trailkeepers of Oregon, and Carlton Observatory for the inaugural Tidepools to Trails to Telescopes! Building on the success of our beloved Tidepools to Trails program, we are thrilled to partner with Carlton Observatory to bring you an expanded one-of-a-kind day that connects land, sea, and sky stewardship on the Oregon Coast.

Start your morning exploring the rocky intertidal zones of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve with an expert field guide, then gather together for local snacks and a solar scope session with Carlton Observatory, a unique chance to safely observe the sun in stunning detail. Next, head into the forest for a trail party, where you help maintain local trails with a TKO crew leader. As the evening approaches, stay for a guided stargazing experience with Carlton Observatory telescopes (weather and visibility permitting, participants will be notified the week of the event).

Great company and the chance to give back to one of Oregon’s most beloved coastal landscapes make this an experience not to miss.

Pre-tour details will be sent to registered participants one week before the event.

Cape Perpetua is one of the most ecologically rich stretches of the Oregon Coast, from its tide pools to its towering forest canopy to its star-filled skies. Keeping it pristine ensures these wild places thrive for generations to come.

Please consider donating to CPC, TKO, and Carlton Observatory to help us continue the dedicated work we are doing to care for these beautiful places.

Timeline of the Day

Tidepools: 8:30 am -10:30 am

Telescope & Snacks: 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Trail Party: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Optional Evening Stargazing: 8:45 pm – 10 pm

All activities above will take place within the Yachats and Cape Perpetua area! Details of where to meet, what to bring, and project work will be sent out 1 week in advance of the event.

Event details:

Detailed event information, including directions to the meeting location, will be provided to registrants via email 1 week prior to the event and then again 48 hours prior to the event. If you’re volunteering for the first time, read this blog by a volunteer to know what to expect at your first trail party.

What to bring:

• Plenty of water
• Snacks/lunch
• Work gloves if you have them (loaner gloves available)
• Any medications or emergency supplies you may need
• Sunscreen + insect repellent
• A pack to bring all of this with you on trail
• TKO provides all tools and personal protective equipment (hard hats, gloves, glasses)
• Need gear? TKO has clothes, boots, camping gear, and more available for loan. Reach out to volunteers@trailkeepersoforegon.org to let us know how we can help!

What to wear:

• Water/mud boots or sandals for tidepooling
• Boots – for trail work(Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp tools. Tennis shoes are not recommended. Open-toed shoes will not be allowed.)
• Long sleeved shirts and pants
• Rain gear, insulating layers, sun protection, etc. as appropriate for the weather

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes and communities. We are the most recent in a long line of stewards to this land, and it is our responsibility to do so with humility and respect. We are grateful to these tribes and their descendants for being the original and continuing stewards of these spaces, and encourage everyone to go beyond a land acknowledgment by supporting Indigenous communities and organizations in your area.

ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: TKO seeks to make our events inclusive of people of all backgrounds and abilities. If you would like to discuss potential accommodations to allow for your participation in this event, please click here to complete a short Google survey. TKO staff will then contact you to discuss options. Please note: available accommodations will vary by event and typically need to be requested a minimum of two weeks in advance. If you have any questions, reach out to us by clicking Contact near the bottom of this page.

EQUITY & INCLUSION: TKO seeks to make Oregon’s trails a place where people can go to connect with nature & one another. Not everyone feels safe or welcome in the outdoors due to issues like racism, bias, and hate. We commit to being part of the solution to this problem and to enact change. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target any individual or group will not be tolerated by TKO.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Your physical and emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you may: interrupt directly, tell a crew leader, and/or inform TKO staff via the post-event survey.

While TKO no longer requires masking/vaccination for our events, we do support those who choose to mask for their own safety. We ask participants to respect the health of folks who wear masks by distancing or wearing a mask while in close proximity.