This section of the Wilson River Trail in Oregon’s Coast Range goes from the Elk Creek trailhead to the Kings Mountain trailhead. Along the way, the trail charms with cascading creeks and moss-covered boulders and trees.
The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area contains some of the best remaining old growth forest on the Oregon Coast. This hike includes the Cooks Ridge, Gwynn Creek and Oregon Coast Trails for a 6 mile loop.
On this two night camping trip, we stayed at a campground with views of the ocean and a wide expanse of beach, viewed the crashing waves of the king tides on the rocky coastline, and hiked in an old growth coastal forest.
This hike in Southwest Washington begins at Moulton Falls Park and goes up to the summit of Bells Mountain through mossy forests and open formerly logged sections with views towards the Silver Star Mountain area.
A rainy hike is sometimes the best kind of hike, like today in Oregon’s Coast Range. We started at the Keenig Creek trailhead on the Wilson River Trail and hiked to a spot on a ridge and back for a total of about 8 miles with 1,100 ft. gain.
The Salmon River Canyon trail is usually snow-free in the winter, with higher water levels in the river and streams – and the forest at this time of year is lush with many shades of green.
The Klickitat River Trail can be a good option for dry conditions during the rainy season. Located near Lyle, Washington, this area receives less rain than the western side of the Gorge.
The Elk Creek Trail is a quiet, forested route on an old logging road that parallels Elk Creek before ascending a ridge of Elk Mountain.
It’s been over 5 years since I hiked to the summit of Hamilton Mountain. While the hike felt just as strenuous as it ever had, this was the first time I’ve hiked there in the fall.