Tag: Tillamook State Forest

Wilson River Wagon Road Trail – 04/12/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date April 14, 2025
No Comments on Wilson River Wagon Road Trail – 04/12/2025

Do you enjoy the sound of gunfire in the morning? If so, we have the trail for you! As I continue to look for hiking trails that we have yet to visit the Wilson River Wagon Road Trail located in the Tillamook State Forest caught my eye. An entry in the OregonHikers.org Field Guide described a hike starting at the Deyoe Creek Trailhead that would visit two waterfalls and the Stagecoach Horse Camp. One of the waterfalls, University Falls, we’d visited in February 2015 (post), but other than 0.1-mile spur trail to that waterfall the rest of this hike would be new to us.

We parked on east side of the Devil’s Lake Fork of the Wilson River at a pair of signboards at the Deyoe Creek Trailhead.
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Note that there is a pullout on the west side of the river here as well and each pullout has a signed trail leading off from it. There used to a footbridge across the river upstream from the trailheads, but that bridge is gone so unless your plan is to do a loop (description here) you want to take the trail on the eastern side signed “Nels Rogers Trail.

The trail took us along the river passing an unnamed waterfall on a side creek after a third of a mile.

After passing the waterfall the Nels Rogers Trail climbed a ridge above the river eventually leaving it and arriving at Beaver Dam Road across from the start of the Wilson River Wagon Road Trail.

Moss carpet

The first of several road and/or OHV trail crossings.

The forest was lovely, and the trail was in great shape, but from early on the sound of gunfire was a constant. It was a little surprising given we’d started hiking just after 6:30am but these target shooters were obviously early risers. We crossed the road and started on a three mile stretch of the Wilson River Wagon Road Trail that would end at the University Falls Trailhead. The Wilson River Wagon Road opened in 1893 for stagecoach and ox cart travel. At the time the toll road was the only route between Tillamook on the Oregon Coast and Forest Grove in the Willamette Valley. The trail was easy to follow and marked well at all road and OHV trail crossings. Yellow violets and white trillium were blooming, and we occasionally were able to hear the birds signing when the target shooters were reloading.

Skunk cabbage

Coming to an OHV trail crossing.

Violet

Another OHV crossing.

Trillium

Mushrooms

Approximately 1.4-miles along the Wilson River Wagon Road the trail followed Saddle Mountain Road for 150 yards before resuming on the far side.

The trail resuming on the left off Saddle Mountain Road.

Deyoe Creek

The Wilson River Wagon Road Trail arriving at University Falls Road across from the University Falls Trailhead.

University Falls Trailhead.

We detoured here and descended 0.3-miles on the University Falls Trail to visit the waterfall.

There was a clearcut on the right-hand side of the trail.

The Gravelle Brothers Trail joined from the right after 0.2-miles. This is the trail we’d used to reach the falls in 2015.

Salmonberry blossoms

Trillium near the falls.

After a brief break at the falls we climbed back up to the trailhead and turned right down University Falls Road for almost two tenths of a mile to the resumption of the trail.
Heading down the road from the trailhead.

Coltsfoot

After a tenth of a mile back on the trail we came to a “Y” junction with the Side Step Trail where we veered right to stay on the Wagon Road Trail.

This section of trail used to recross University Falls Road three times, but a clearcut on the north side of the road has apparently rerouted the trail because we didn’t cross the road again. The first two crossings are now gone with the trail sticking to the south side of the road, and the third crossing was closed by yellow caution tape.

Wood sorrel

University Falls Road below to the right.

This appeared to be a new section of trail replacing the old alignment on the north side of the road.

The closed section of the trail that remains on the north side of the road.

We turned left on University Falls Road and followed it two tenths of a mile to a road junction. Here the Side Step Trail joined from the left.

I decided to head down the road to the right to see if the section of the Wilson Wagon Road Trail from that road to the Stagecoach Horse Camp was open.
The closed section of trail coming up on the right with the continuation of the trail ahead on the left.

The other end of the closed section.

This section was open so I waved Heather on and we headed down through the clearcut to the horse camp.

It was a third of a mile down to the horse camp were we took a break from the light rain that had begun falling off and on under the cover of the community shelter.
A lot more hikes may look like this if the current administration gets its way.

The horse camp in the trees.

After another brief rest we headed back uphill to the Side Step Trail and followed it through the forest back to the Wagon Road Trail and University Falls Trailhead.

In hindsight we probably should have done the side trip to the horse camp before visiting University Falls and then we could have continued on a loop from University Falls that may have been a bit shorter with close to the same amount of elevation gain as the hike we wound up doing. We were focused on following the field guide entry though, so we retraced our steps on the Wilson River Wagon Road and Nels Rogers Trails.

Footbridge over Deyoe Creek.

Rough skinned newt.

In true Oregon fashion the weather was a mix of sprinkles and blue skies.

Violet enjoying some sunlight.

This stump looked suspiciously like Davey Jones from the Pirates of the Carribean movies to us.

Huckleberries

Devil’s Fork

Our hike came in just under 12.5-miles with approximately 1800′ of elevation gain.

The trails were great, and I’d love to give the hike 4 stars but the nearly constant gunfire, which was joined by OHV noise by late morning just won’t allow it. That being said if you’re okay with a noisy hike it is worth a visit. As mentioned earlier we would recommend doing a loop using the Gravelle Brothers Trail from University Falls to connect up to the Nels Rogers Trail rather than hiking back on the Wagon Road Trail and of course you could start from any of the trailheads located along the loop. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Wilson River Wagon Road Trail

Tags devils fork wilson river, Deyoe Creek, Deyoe Creek Trailhead, hiking, Nels Rogers Trail, Oregon, Oregon Coast Range, Side Step Trail, Stagecoach Horse Camp, Tillamook State Forest, Trillium, university falls, University Falls Trailhead, Wilson River Wagon Road, Wilson River Wagon Road Trail

Coastal Range Hiking Oregon Trip report

Kilchis Falls, South Triangulation Point, and Cedar Butte – 06/08/2024

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date June 10, 2024
1 Comment on Kilchis Falls, South Triangulation Point, and Cedar Butte – 06/08/2024

We’re continually looking for hikes that are new to us which led us to a pair of such hikes in the Tillamook State Forest. William L. Sullivan includes the 1.6-mile round trip to a former lookout site in Cedar Butte as an additional, non-featured hike in his “100 Hikes Oregon Coast” guidebook. A hike that short didn’t warrant the 2hr drive from Salem, so I took a look at the Oregonhikers.org field guide for other nearby hikes. That research revealed the Triangulation Point Loop. The field guide entry mentioned that the loop could be started from a saddle on the north side of Cedar Butte which was just over a mile from the Cedar Butte Trailhead.

We decided to start with the long loop first. We drove up the steep, narrow Cedar Butte Road past the Cedar Butte Trailhead and parked at the saddle overlooking a clearcut.
From the saddle South Triangulation Point, the highpoint of the loop, is to the right.

We would be doing the loop clockwise to avoid ending the loop with a climb back up to up to the saddle. We headed down Kilchis Forest Road which wound down through the clearcut before entering the forest.

The roadside was lined with wildflowers which we focused on over the missing trees.
Bleeding heart

Fairy lanterns

Solomonseal

Inside-out flower

Paintbrush

Lupine

Starflower

Salmonberry

Cardwell’s penstemon

Beargrass

Wallflower

Little-leaf montia

Fringecup

Salal

Rosy bird’s-foot trefoil

Band-tailed pigeons

Looking back at the saddle before heading into the trees.

Vetch

Leaving the clearcut.

The road leveled out in the forest making for a pleasant walk. Two miles from the saddle we arrived at 100′ Kilchis Falls.

Rock cliffs marking the location of Kilchis Falls.

Located on a tributary of the North Fork Kilchis River the falls reportedly seldom have much flow, but there was enough water today to make for a pretty sight.

The small pool below the falls.

Avens

Spider hiding on a columbine.

Scouler’s corydalis

Youth-on-age

Valerian

After a relaxing break at the falls, we continued along Kilchis Forest Road which approached the North Fork Kichis River and then followed it NW.

Hedgenettle

Waterfall on an unnamed creek. It was quite a way back in thick vegetation.

The above waterfall sans zoom.

Buttercup

Fick Creek joining the river.

Potholes on the North Fork Kilchis River.

Triangulation Creek flowing into the river.

Approximately two miles from Kilchis Falls we crossed the river on a bridge.

We continued to follow the river for another 0.6-miles where Middle Road joined steeply from the right.

Snail shadow on a iris.

Middle Road coming downhill on the right. This is the Middle Road Trailhead mentioned in the Oregonhikers.org field guide.

We made a sharp right turn here and began the difficult climb to South Triangulation Point.

Middle Road isn’t really a road anymore and is only suitable for high clearance 4wd vehicles or OHVs. We huffed and puffed up this track passing a road on the left after 1.3 miles and arriving at a saddle in another 0.3 miles.

A very blurry picture of a doe that was way down the hillside in the forest.

Large rock and log in the middle of Middle Road.

Monkeyflower surrounded by candyflower

Paintbrush on some cliffs above Middle Road.

Thistle

The road at the 1.3-mile mark along Middle Road.

The saddle at the 1.6-mile mark.

Memorial at the saddle.

We took a break at the saddle before continuing the climb. We passed another road on the left approximately half a mile from the saddle then came to 4-way junction 0.6 miles later.
Middle Road continuing on from the saddle.

Beargrass

The road on the left at the 2.1-mile mark.

Iris

Stream flowing down the road.

Coming up to the 4-way junction.

From the junction we took the righthand fork signed “FB3”.
Middle Road from the 4-way junction.

The two lefthand forks at the 4-way junction.

FB3

The elevation at the 4-way junction is about 2600′ and the Middle Road Trailhead is just over 800′ so we’d gained over 1800′ on Middle Road. South Triangulation Point tops out at 3255′ meaning we were still over 650′ below its summit so neither of us were pleased when FB3 proceeded to lose approximately 100′ of elevation in the first 0.6 miles.

Monkeyflower

Beargrass, paintbrush and penstemon

More flowers on a rocky outcrop along FB3.

A bunch of monkeyflowers.

When the road finally started climbing again it was more gradual than Middle Road had been. In 3/4 of a mile, we gained 350′ before coming to a fork.
Springs along the road.

Snake cooling off in the mud.

The snake didn’t budge as we passed around it.

This fork is approximately 4.2 miles from the Middle Road Trailhead.

At the fork we veered uphill to the left. This road gained nearly another 300′ in half a mile where it arrived at a saddle between Triangulation Point and South Triangulation Point.
Snake number two on the day.

This one didn’t budge either.

Switchback below the saddle.

Approaching the saddle.

Gated road up Triangulation Point.

South Triangulation Point

The wildflower display at the saddle was impressive and we spent some time admiring the blooms.
Serviceberry, paintbrush, yarrow, and iris.

Paintbrush and Cardwell’s penstemon

Iris

Broadleaf arnica, paintbrush and penstemon

Columbine among others.

Broadleaf arnica

Aside from a vehicle that was just leaving the saddle below Cedar Butte when we’d arrived that morning we hadn’t seen anyone all day. That changed at South Triangulation Point as a group of dirt bikes had arrived while we were taking a break at the switchback below the saddle. We took a left fork in the road and made our way to the summit where we briefly spoke with them.
Final pitch to the summit.

We could see our car parked at the saddle below Cedar Butte from South Triangulation Point.

Motorcycle track heading down from the summit with Triangulation Point on the other side of the saddle.

Looking to the NW you can see out to the Pacific Ocean. The line of peaks furtherst back staring from left to right consists of Neahkahnie Mountain (post), Angora Peak (post), West Onion & Onion Peaks, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Kidders Butte.

Closer look at Surgarloaf Mountain and Kidder Butte.

Wildflowers on South Triangulation Point.

After a break we headed down the road to the fork where we turned left and quickly began a steep half mile descent to a 5-way junction.

Another nice clump of wild iris.

Lupine

Flowers lining the road.

More motorcycles at the 5-way junction.

We stayed straight at this junction and continued downhill sticking to the main road at all junctions.

Variable-leaf collomia

The road briefly followed a narrow ridge.

Anemones

Moth

Heather spotted this little one. Not sure if it’s a vole, pocket gopher, or something else.

A little over a mile from our car we passed a series of wet cliffs that were putting on a spectacular flower display.

Silverleaf phacelia and chickweed

A lomatium

Larkspur and monkeyflower

This pink larkspur really stood out on the cliffs.

Littleleaf miner’s-lettuce

Several types of yellow wildflowers.

The cliffs helped explain why the road had dipped so far below Kilchis Saddle where our car was. Shortly after passing them the road began a final climb to the saddle gaining close to 200′ in the final three quarters of a mile.
Still dropping a little after the cliffs.

Bleeding heart and candyflower

Climbing the road at the edge of the clearcut.

The saddle where our car was parked across the clearcut.

South Triangulation Point from Cedar Butte Road.

South Triangulation Point

Looking down the North Fork Kilchis River valley from the saddle.

For us this loop came in at 12.7 miles a little over 2700′ of elevation gain. Despite being on roads some of the elevation change was quite steep adding to the difficulty. That being said this was a good hike with a nice waterfall and lots of wildflowers. We encountered about a dozen motorbikes, all between South Triangulation Point and end of the hike and we didn’t hear them all that often either.

It had been a long hard loop, so Heather chose not to add another 780′ climb when we arrived at the Cedar Butte Trailhead.

I on the other hand am a glutton for punishment so I threw my pack back on and walked 250′ up a gravel road to a signboard marking the start of the Cedar Butte Trail.
The trail information lists the hike as “difficult” due to the amount of elevation gained over just three quarters of a mile to the summit.

The start of the Cedar Butte Trail.

The trail began fairly level passing through some heavy brush before breaking into a second growth forest.

Star-flowered false solomonseal

Black-headed grosbeak

False lily of the valley

The trail didn’t really begin to climb until the 0.3-mile mark where it made a series of short switchbacks then alternated between steep straightaways and more switchbacks.
The trail was in good shape with just one small tree down over it.

Blue-eyed Mary

Small saddle below the summit.

Beargrass

Phlox

Final pitch to the summit.

Wild onion

Benches at the former lookout site.

View from the summit.

Wildflowers at the summit.

On the way back down I took a short, steep spur trail to a viewpoint where I could see Kings Mountain (post) to the NE.
Kings Mountain is the high point to the right along the ridge.

After checking out the viewpoint I continued my descent and rejoined Heather at the trailhead.

Fairy bells and vanilla leaf

Almost back

This hike had been 1.6 miles and one heck of a climb. My legs were feeling all 3500′ on the day. Late Spring seems like a good time to visit this area as the wildflowers were the highlight. Kilchis Falls was nice but at different times of the year the flow would likely diminish the appeal quite a bit. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Kilchis Falls, South Triangulation Point, and Cedar Butte

Tags Cedar Butte, Cedar Butte Trail, Cedar Butte Trailhead, FB3, hiking, Kilchis Falls, Kilchis Forest Road, Middle Road, North Fork Kilchis River, Oregon, Oregon Coast Range, South Triangulation Point, Tillamook State Forest, Triangulation Point, wildflowers

Coastal Range Hiking Oregon

Elk Creek to Idiot Creek Road (Wilson River Trail) – 05/18/2024

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date May 20, 2024
No Comments on Elk Creek to Idiot Creek Road (Wilson River Trail) – 05/18/2024

The Wilson River Trail currently runs 24.6 miles, with its western end beginning at Muesial Creek Road and its eastern end at Idiot Creek Road. We previously hiked two sections of the trail – the Kings Mountain TH to the Elk Creek TH segment twice (2010 & 2022) and the Footbridge TH to Jones Creek TH segment (2014). It was time to check out another section of the trail and we set our sights on the Elk Creek TH to Idiot Creek Road TH segment.

We parked at the Elk Creek Trailhead since it is the more convenient of the two trailheads to reach. There are a small number of parking spots across from a signboard where we had begun both of our Elk/Kings Mountain loops which is where we once again parked.
The first signboard near the small parking area.

We hadn’t fully woken up yet, so we didn’t think to simply take the trail here uphill 100 feet to the Wilson River Trail. Instead walked along the shoulder of Elk Creek Road to a much larger parking area at roads end.
Elk Creek Road from the small parking area.

The larger parking area.

There was another signboard at this trailhead which we stopped at to study the map.

After confirming our route, we set off past a Wilson River Trail sign and came to a junction where we realized we could have avoided the 500′ road walk.

We turned right following a pointer for Idiot Creek Loop Road (note the road is currently not a loop due to a washed-out section). The trail quickly joined the old bed of Elk Creek Road.

We followed the old roadbed along Elk Creek for approximately a half mile to a well signed junction.

Bleeding heart

Salmonberry

Fairy lanterns

Largeleaf avens

Scouler’s corydalis

Coastal monkeyflower

At the junction we turned right and crossed the seasonal footbridge over Elk Creek. (In place May thru September.)

The trail traversed a hillside above Elk Creek for three quarters of a mile before heading uphill.

Fringecup

Trillium

Star flower

The well graded trail uses a combination of switchbacks and long traverses to climb over 1000′.

Looking down at the trail below.

Vanilla leaf

Spotted coralroot

Anemone

Western buttercup

Near the 2.7-mile mark we took a short spur trail to a rocky viewpoint.

Paintbrush, parsley, and blue-eyed Mary

From the viewpoint it was another third of a mile up to Idiot Creek Loop Road.

Fairy lanterns and paintbrush

I did just a bit of exploring along the road in each direction before we headed back down.

Lupine was just beginning to bloom along the road.

On the way back down.

We had briefly considered following the Elk Creek Trail from the junction near the footbridge before heading back to the car but decided to save that for another time.

West Fork Elk Creek to the left and Elk Creek to the right from the bridge.

The junction with the Elk Creek Trail.

We returned to the car by sticking to the actual Wilson River Trail this time ending the morning at 7.7 miles with a little under 1500′ of elevation gain.
We missed a section of leafy mitrewort on our earlier pass.

On the section of the trail we missed by taking Elk Creek Road.

The small parking area from the trail.

While there was a number of cars in the parking areas, we only passed 5 other hikers this morning. Mountain bikers would have gone out the Elk Creek Trail and most hikers were likely headed to Elk Mountain or tackling the full Elk/Kings Mountain Loop. The hike to Idiot Creek Loop Road was pleasant and the gently graded trail made for a nice climb through the green forest. The lack of any major “wow” sights along the trail keeps this a quieter option for the area, but the creek, flowers, and forest make it worthy of a visit. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Elk Creek to Idiot Creek Loop Road

Tags Elk Creek, Elk Creek Footbridge, Elk Creek Trail, ELk Creek Trailhead, flowers, hiking, Idiot Creek Loop Road, Oregon, Tillamook State Forest, Wilson River Trail

Coastal Range Hiking Oregon Portland Trip report Willamette Valley

Ki-a-Kuts Falls Fernhill Wetlands – 02/24/2024

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date February 26, 2024
2 Comments on ~~Ki-a-Kuts Falls~~ Fernhill Wetlands – 02/24/2024

A mostly sunny, near 60-degree forecast, looked too good to pass up so we decided to head out and attempt a pair of short hikes in the Oregon Coast Ranges Tillamook State Forest. Our first stop was along Maple Creek Road for a hike to Ki-a-Kuts Falls.
Sunrise from the trailhead.

Clear cut at the trailhead.

The old alignment of the road was said to be located approximately 80 yards from the trailhead, but it appears that between time, storms, and logging operations the old road has become far less obvious.
This was the view through the forest from Maple Creek Road around the 80-yard mark.

We hiked further up Maple Creek Road and checked for a way down to the old alignment, but in the end decided that the slick conditions combined with the amount of blowdown on the hillsides would have made for a much more challenging hike than we were looking to tackle.
We could hear the Tualatin River in the valley below and I managed to get far enough down the hill to get a glimpse of the water. I had descended from a pullout with a fire ring about 50-75′ looking for the old roadbed, but I still couldn’t make out where it actually was and had been slipping a lot on wet wood.

After climbing back up to Heather I called an audible and we turned to Plan B. The second hike we’d originally planned on was a 1.5-mile out and back further into the forest to visit Stairstep Falls, a rapid more than a fall, that requires fording the 25 yard wide Middle Fork North Fork Trask River. We decided against attempting that hike because it would effectively end our hiking day by leaving the only pair of hiking shoes I’d brought soaked. That was fine when it was going to be the final hike of our day, but we wanted to get a little more than 2.5-miles in. (We’d done close to 1 looking for the way to Ki-a-Kuts Falls.)

I’d known going in that there was a chance that we’d need to turn to Plan B because the most recent trip reports I could find for Ki-a-Kuts Falls was from 2014. That Plan B had been Fernhill Wetlands. Located in Forest Grove, OR the trailhead was just 26-miles from where we were. We drove back to Yamhill and then headed North on Highway 47 to the Fernhill Wetlands Trailhead.

Map and information at the trailhead.

There are several loops possible at the wetlands and we hoped to maximize these, so we headed south along Fernhill Marsh.

Starling

Lenticular clouds over Mt. Hood in the distance.

Our first wildflower of the year is Indian plum in 2024.

Egret

Path at Fernhill Wetlands.

We stayed straight at a junction with a path between Fernhill Marsh and Cattail Marsh.
Gazebo overlooking Cattail Marsh.

Great blue heron on a post above Cattail Marsh.

American coot

At the next junction we turned left between Cattail and Eagles Perch Marshes.

Another great blue heron.

Red-winged blackbird

Hawk flying over Eagles Perch Marsh.

Fittingly at the far end of the marsh were a pair of bald eagles.

We turned right and walked along Eagles Perch Marsh for a tenth of a mile to a gate along SW Geiger Rd.

Ring-necked ducks

Buffleheads

This one might be a hooded merganser?

After turning around we headed north passing Cattail Marsh and arriving at Fernhill Lake.

Fernhill Lake

The trail bent eastward along the lake to a gazebo overlooking Barney Wetlands. From the gazebo we watched a flock of tundra swans. This was our second outing in a row (Wapato Lake) seeing tundra swans after not ever having seen them on a hike prior.
This is where the trail turned east (for obvious reasons).

Barney wetlands

There were also quite a few ruddy ducks here which we don’t often see.

After a good long break watching the swans we continued around Fernhill Lake to Dabblers Marsh.
Double-crested cormorant on a post in Barney Wetlands.

Double-crested cormorant

Drying off in the sun.

Nurtia at a bench near Dabblers Marsh

Nutria

Dabblers Marsh

Green-winged teal

Great blue heron

Pie-billed grebe

We turned west between Fernhill Lake and Dabblers Marsh and came to a nice view of the lake and the start of the Dabblers Marsh Loop Trail.

We turned onto the woodchip path along Dabblers Marsh and followed pointers to a loop around some farmland.

Robin

The start of the loop at the edge of the farmland. We stayed left opting to hike the loop clockwise.

Anna’s hummingbrid

A gaggle of geese in the field.

American kestrels manning their posts.

Purple dead-nettle

More geese coming in for a landing.

Near the end of the loop the trail left the field along Dabblers Marsh.

Spotted towhee

Rabbit

After completing the loop and returning to Fernhill Lake we did a loop through the Water Gardens.
Geese on Fernhill Lake

Mallard drake

Mallard female

Water Gardens

Northern shovelers, a mallard, and a coot.

Oregon grape beginning to bloom.

Northern shoveler

Green-winged teal pair

Path along the Research Wetlands.

Egret near the parking lot at Fernhill Marsh

Looking back at the Research Wetlands from the near the trailhead.

We managed to get 3.7-miles in at the wetlands and saw a lot of birds and other animals. While there were quite a few more folks here than we’d seen on our previous hike at nearby Wapato Lake Wildlife Refuge, it never felt too busy. Plan B had earned an A+ in our books. Happy Trails!

Coastal Range Hiking Oregon Trip report

Gales Creek Trail

A day off of work for New Years and a clear weather forecast = our first hike of 2019. Our trail of choice was the Gales Creek Trail in the Tillamook State Forest. We began our hike at the Gales Creek Trailhead, the same trailhead that we used in 2015 for a hike to nearby University Falls (post).

We began this hike as we had on our previous visit by following the Gales Creek Trail west from the parking area.

The first .8 miles to the Storey Burn Trail was a repeat of 2015 as we crossed Low Divide Creek on a footbridge and arrived at the trail junction.

Unlike last time when we turned left onto the Storey Burn Trail this time we turned right sticking to the Gales Creek Trail which paralleled Gales Creek.

It was a chilly morning, about 28 degrees, and there was a fair amount of frost on the ground and plants. In addition to the typical frost we see on a chilly morning, we had been noticing white clumps here and there. The clumps looked like they could be garbage at first glance but it wasn’t. Other thoughts were fur but we couldn’t think of any animals in the area with white fur or something from a tree but it wasn’t the right time of year for things like cottonwood. Our next guess was a little closer with a fungus but upon closer inspection we determined it was some sort of fine ice/frost.

It was very interesting. The scarcity of the clumps told us that there must be some set of conditions to create these frost clumps and spent much of the hike marveling at the designs. Thanks to the help of some fellow hikers over at Oregonhikers.org we later learned that this type of frost is the result of a fungus inside certain rotting wood that leaves water and carbon dioxide behind as the wood decays. The CO2 forces the water out of the wood through tiny holes and when the temperature is just a bit below freezing creates the frost “hairs” . Here is a post describing the phenomena in more detail and a article on BBC – Earth with a time lapse video of the frost forming.

The Gales Creek Trail stuck fairly close to the creek, sometimes rising a bit above it as it passed through the forest and crossed several streams that would likely have been dry in the summer months.

A mile and a half from the Storey Burn Trail junction we did come to a dry creek bed, but a flash of water back in the trees looked like it might be a decent waterfall. The terrain looked like it might make for a reasonable off-trail jaunt and the fact that there was no water down at the trail but there was some further up made us curious so we decided to head uphill. After about a quarter mile climb over and around downed trees we found ourselves looking at a nice 20′ or so waterfall. The terrain narrowed enough that we couldn’t get right up to the falls but it was still a nice view (although not the best lighting for photos).

The route we came up.

After admiring the falls we returned to the trail and continued west toward the Bell Camp Trailhead.
A short section of railroad grade.

More creek crossings followed, some trickier than others, but we managed to keep our feet fairly dry using rocks or logs.

A total of 2.25 miles from the junction we arrived at stand of alders as the site of good sized slide that occurred in 2007.

Just over a mile from the alder stand we came to the trickiest crossing of the day. There appeared to be two options across, a lone rock barely sticking out of the water and a pile of slick looking logs. Due to the direction we were heading the rock was too far to reach so we opted for the logs. Some carefully placed steps got us across dry.
The logs we came across.

The rock after having crossed.

On the way back I opted to attempt a jump from the rock. It worked but after watching Heather recross fairly easily on the logs my 46 year old body thought that would have been a better choice.
Heather finishing her crossing on the way back.

Beyond this crossing the trail turned inland away from Gales Creek a bit. Slides apparently forced the trail to be rerouted at some point because a footbridge could still be seen through the trees closer to Gales Creek.

We passed a very small cascade along this section and then approximately 1.75 miles from the tricky creek crossing arrived at our turn around point, a 25′ waterfall right along the trail.

We took a break at the falls and as we studied the falls the light moved enough to create a small rainbow.

We returned the way we’d come. The sun was shining but it was still chilly as we made our way back.

We didn’t see much wildlife, just a handful of birds, and being the middle of winter no wildflowers but there were a few mushrooms to enjoy.

With the half mile side trip the hike wound up being just under 12.5 miles with approximately 1500′ of elevation gain. It was a nice start to a new year of hiking. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Gales Creek Trail

Tags Feather frost, gales creek, Gales Creek Campground, Gales Creek Trail, Hair frost, hiking, Oregon, Silk frost, storey burn trail, Tillamook State Forest, Waterfall

Coastal Range Hiking Oregon Trip report

Gales Creek and University Falls

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date February 18, 2015
3 Comments on Gales Creek and University Falls

We were back on the trails after a long break following our New Years Day outing. This month we were looking for a hike involving waterfalls to take advantage of the higher water flows of late winter. We wound up heading to the Tillamook State Forest to check out University Falls and the Gales Creek area. There were several options as far as trails went, a half-mile trail beginning above University Falls, a longer loop passing the falls starting at Rogers Camp on the south side of Highway 6, or starting at one of the trailheads along the Gales Creek Loop on the north side of the highway. We chose to start at a small trailhead just before reaching Gales Creek Campground. A small post and footbridge were the only markers for this starting point.

A short distance from this trailhead the path joined the main Gales Creek Loop at a well marked junction.

Our plan was to take the trail to the highway and then walk up the road a few hundred feet and cross into Rogers Camp, another possible trailhead and staging area for Off-Highway Vehicles which are allowed on the south side of the highway. At the entrance to Rogers Camp we headed for a trail sign positioned between the entrance road and a highway equipment yard. Here the Gravelle Brothers Trail began.

Following signs for University Falls we stuck to this non-motorized path reaching a footbridge and little bench at the Devils Fork Wilson River.

After crossing the river the trail turned south and began to climb through the forest toward University Falls.

A colorful sign greeted us near University Falls.

A short trail from the sign to the right led down to Elliot Creek but the falls were almost entirely obscured.

To get to the falls we returned to the sign and took the trail directly behind it a short distance to the falls. The falls were going strong making for an impressive show.

After visiting the falls we returned down the trail and recrossed the river. Not too far from the crossing we arrived at a trail junction we had passed earlier. Here we turned left on the Storey Burn Trail.

This trail lead us past a marshy area along the river where skunk cabbage was begging to bloom.

We then climbed away from the river and passed beneath a highway bridge returning to the north side of Highway 6. The Storey Burn Trail climbed steadily along hillsides up to Storey Burn Road, another possible trailhead. We crossed the road and continued on toward Gales Creek Campground. We were mostly going downhill now in a much quieter forest. While on the south side of the highway the sounds of Off-Highway Vehicles and target shooters competed with the water and the birds. Even after returning to the north side of the highway where OHV are banned there was an almost constant barrage of gunfire. Here on the final stretch birdsong and running water became the only sounds making for a pleasant final stretch. The trail also passed by small but scenic Slide Falls.

A final trail junction awaited, just .8 miles from Gales Campground.

The final portion of the trail paralleled Gales Creek before arriving at the trailhead.

We could have walked 300 yards up the road to our car and the other smaller trailhead or take a connector trail through the forest. We chose the trail which wound around and gained some unnecessary elevation before dropping us back down to our car. We both agreed that we should have taken the road 🙂 Happy Trails!

flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9319235@N02/sets/72157650431797248/

Tags devils fork wilson river, elliot creek, gales creek, gravelle brother trail, hiking, Oregon, rogers camp, slide falls, storey burn trail, Tillamook State Forest, university falls

Coastal Range Hiking Oregon Trip report

Wilson River

So far so good. We managed to get a hike in each month leading up to the marathon in April. Our recent visit to the Wilson River in the Tillamook State Forest was our final hike until after we’ve raced and recovered. We picked this hike because it provided a fairly level 8 miles which seemed like a reasonable outing at this point in our training. We chose Saturday morning for the trip based on a forecast showing no rain until that afternoon versus rain all day on Sunday. Yep, I fell for it again. The drunk monkeys that come up with the weather forecast weren’t even close as the 0% chance of precipitation was more like 95% as it rained or drizzled on us almost the whole time. Fortunately it didn’t rain hard since we hadn’t put our rain gear back into our packs.

The Wilson River trail extends over 26 miles, but for this trip we planned to hike out and back along a 4 mile section from the Jones Creek Day Use area to Bridge Creek Falls. It was great to get back on the trail and especially nice to see some signs of Spring. We set off from the parking area following the river west toward the Tillamook Forestry Center. Since the center opens at 10am the gate on the suspension bridge was still closed so we passed by and headed toward Wilson Falls after taking a quick peak back at Kings Mountain. Heather and I had done a loop hike in 2010 up neighboring Elk Mountain and down Kings Mountain. It remains to this day one of the toughest hikes we’ve tackled.

Kings Mountain

The forest was beginning to transition from Winter to Spring as buds were showing or already opening on many plants and several varieties of early flowers were blooming trailside.

Snow Queen

Trillium

Wood Violets

Slender Toothwort

The river was running quickly due to heavy recent rain which had also swelled the creeks and runoff streams feeding into the river. Even if it hadn’t been raining there was no way our feet were going to stay dry. 🙂

Wilson River

Cedar Creek

Runoff flowing over the trail

Trail crossing below Wilson Falls

We had two waterfalls to visit on this portion of the trail. The first was Wilson Falls which lay hidden right beside the trail until we were almost directly below it.

Nearing Wilson Falls

Wilson Falls

The second falls was also our turnaround point. We had to leave the river and cross Highway 6 to find the short trail to Bridge Creek Falls. An impressive fall in a narrow canyon.

Sign for Bridge Creek Falls along Hwy 6

Bridge Creek Falls

Trying to give an idea of the size of the falls.

We hadn’t had any company on the trail and had only seen a handful of fishermen on the way to Bridge Creek Falls, but things got more crowded on the trail on the return trip.
Slow traffic

Another slowpoke

This one moved to the side to let us pass

Finally we came to a standstill

We didn’t wind up going into the Forestry Center. The rain had picked up and we were wet and muddy when we arrived back so we decided to pass on this trip. We did cross the suspension bridge in an attempt to return to the car from the opposite side of the river but washouts had closed that portion so we backtracked across the bridge and returned the way we had come that morning. The hike worked out just the way we’d hoped. Good scenery, no crowds, and not too taxing physically. Truly a hike that says “Happy Trails”.

Flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9319235@N02/sets/72157642067822544/
Facebook album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10203510030938590.1073741869.1448521051&type=1

Tags Bridge Creek Falls, hiking, Kings Mountain, Oregon, rough skinned newt, Tillamook State Forest, Wilson Falls, Wilson River, Wilson River Trail