Lower Salmonberry River - November 3, 2014

Lower Salmonberry  River Hike

10 Miles

This trail is located along the Lower Nehalem River about 50 miles west of Portland off highway 26.  

Hikng along the rails does provide a challenge.  Fall hiking was beautiful in this area with all of the colors and the beautiful river alongside most of the trail.  

There are a couple of spots where erosion and storm damage has caused the rails to be unstable and so you do leave the main trail for a bit but it is easy to follow.  A couple of river crossings also provided a little challenge but others have placed logs and rocks so that you can cross without getting too wet.  I do recommend waterproof boots though.  

All in all this was a beautiful but semi satisfying hike.  I think you could probably hike further than the water tower and see more of the river but we got a late start and didn't want to run out of daylight so we turned around at the water tower after Doug's climb up into it to see what was inside - just branches and leaves.

Indian Beach - October 27, 2014

Clatsop Loop Hike
Tillamook Head Traverse Hike
8 Miles

This hike starts out going up for about a mile on a narrow gravel road.  Traveling through trees and woods it is not super scenic.  At the top you will find Hiker's Camp, old structures where hikers can stay overnight, there are restrooms there and it looks like it would be a fun place for a group to spend a couple of nights.

After the viewpoint and the Tillamook Head Lighthouse we decided to continue on to the Seaside 

Trailhead.  

This trail was beautiful, with occassional views of the ocean, winding our way through a mossy forest.  There were several muddy bog areas so I was really glad I had good boots for this hike.  We didn't make it all the way to the end of this trail.  Since the Chihuahuas had hiked 10 miles the day before and we were at 8 miles already, we decided to turn around.  This is a hike we will definitely do again and all the way to the end.

Nehalem Spit Loop - October 26, 1014

Nahelem Spit Loop - Plus
10 miles

We started out to complete this hike and then turned around on the beach, walked north a bit and then hopped on the road that goes down the middle of the spit.  The road was fairly boring.  A few deer tracks crossing back and forth and some mud puddles that Pinto wasn't too happy about.

Once we reached the jetty though it was absolutely worth it. 

 Beautiful waves crashing up on the rocks and that is where we sat to have our snack and take a little break.  Then we scrambled over the huge piles of driftwood that have been deposited there.  Then back to the beach and to our original starting point.  The Chihuahuas loved this hike but they do love the beach.  Cocoa wasn't excited about the crashing waves at the jetty and she hid under Doug's jacket while we took our break.

Opal Creek Wilderness Area - Jawbone Flats, Cedar Flats - October 6,2014

Cedar Flats  10.5 miles

This hike follows a gravel road for the majority of the hike.  Not my favorite surface for a long hike but the surrounding scenery is so amazingly beautiful you forget about the gravel.  I would consider this hike easy except for the distance.  It is flat all the way to Jawbone Flats.

You pass this old mine that is now boarded up.  Seems they were mining for gold but mostly found silver, copper and zinc.  

The water is so clear but deeper than it appears.  We sat and enjoyed our snack while watching some mushroom hunters trying to find a place to cross the creek.  Realizing it was too deep they gave up.  I'm not sure how they reached the other side to begin with but if they kept walking along the trail on that side they would have found the bridge that crosses over.  I hope that is what they decided to do.

Silver Falls State Park 10 Fall Loop - September 28, 2014

Trail of Ten Falls Loop Hike

8.7 Miles

This is an amazing hike that is a must see for everyone.  You can do smaller hikes to some of the more popular waterfalls but it is worth it to complete the ten falls loop.  The hike is moderate and has a few hills.  I had done the majority of this loop about 17 years ago but we weren't able to complete the loop because one of the bridges was out and we had to back track making it a much longer hike.  This time  we were able to hike the entire loop.

The trails is nice and soft for the most part.  There are a few areas with roots and a couple of switchbacks, making the climbing a bit easier.

You get to walk behind two of the falls.  It is a great experience to hear the rushing water above you and stand behind the waterfall, gives a great perspective.

There are also beautiful pools of water along the way.

Cape Lookout State Park - September 22, 2014

Cape Lookout State Park

5.2 Miles

We started our day with a little putt putt golf.  Doug continues to be the riegning champion in our ongoing putt putt golf challenge.  That won't last for long though.

After the golf game we headed out to Cape Lookout State Park.  This is a moderate hike with some great viewpoints. 

There are lots of roots and obstacles along this hike.  Keep an eye on your footing.

Yes, that is a 400 foot cliff, right there beside the trail. 

I had to keep telling myself to just focus on the trail and not look down.  Really, you are hiking right along the edge of this cliff for awhile.

I was very happy to see this bench at the end.

Then this view . . . . . amazing!  The day was perfect.  

That is Doug, picking up rocks at the top of the lookout.

We ended our day with a delicious shrimp louie at Kyllo's in Lincoln City and then the drive home.

University Falls, September 21, 2014

A hike not too far from home in the Tillamook State Forest.  This is a fun moderate level hike that the chihuahuas really loved.  

Mosier Twin Tunnels - September 13, 2014

This hike travels what was the original Columbia River Hwy.  Previously closed when the new highway was built, it has been reopened for hikers and bicylces.  A very nice hike along a paved pathway with beautiful views of the Columbia River along the way.  It was interesting to see the message carved inside the tunnel where people were snowbound for 8 days in 1921.

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Mosier_Twin_Tunnels

Munson Creek Falls September 8, 2014

This was a short but beautiful hike to Munson Creek Falls, just outslide of Tillamook, Oregon

This is suppose to be the second largest waterfall in the state, maybe more impressive in the spring when there is more water flowing and if the trail hadn't been blocked and we could have gotten a bit closer.

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Munson_Creek_Falls_Hike