On one of the kinder days of winter, sun peeked out over the clouds at Hiker’s Camp.

In the distance, Tillamook Rock Light sat still on its rock, a mile offshore to my west. The chatter of rocks alternated with the crashing waves many hundreds of feet below. 

This was at a viewpoint on the east end of the Clatsop Loop Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Explorers ventured here in January 1806 on their way from Fort Clatsop to investigate reports of a beached whale to the south.

Today, the loop is a quiet walk through a tall forest, a shorter trail to hike on a winter’s day when the sun finds its way out, or at least when squalls have let up for a few hours.

On one of those recent days, I took a walk by the tide pools at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach — saw sea stars and hermit crabs — then drove up to Ecola State Park.

I began the Clatsop Loop at the park’s Indian Beach. From there, the trail follows either a gravel forest road on the inland side or a salal-lined path peppered with viewpoints at the ocean’s edge.

To start, I chose the latter, winding between Sitka spruce towers and magnificent views over a sheer cliff.

Brush clearings gave way to lighthouse views — the end of the trail is the closest view from shore. Do bring a pair of binoculars.

For hikers keen on a longer distance, the loop trail connects to a longer route over Tillamook Head, which continues north to The Cove in Seaside. Or take in the views a second time on the way back.