Low Divide Creek, October 19, 2014

Low Divide Creek

4.2 Miles

This hike kicked my butt.  It is listed as a "moderate" and "family friendly" hike.  That is a lie.  This is two miles straight down and two miles straight back up.  It does a little lollipop loop at the end through Gales Creek Campground.  There were lots of mushroom hunters out and we did see a family with some small children, one whining to be carried.  They didn't make it very far on the trail.  

This is a hike that I am glad I finished and I felt great afterwards but I won't choose to do it again.

The Tillmook National Forest is beautiful though and there are many other hikes where you can experience it.

Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls - October 13, 2014

Eagle Creek To Tunnel Falls

12 Miles

I hadn't done this hike since around 1996, back when I was an athlete and had done it a couple of times.  It hasn't changed much except that they have put in more cables to hold on to when walking along the slippery cliffs.  I was happy about that because although I remembered this hike fondly, that was the thing that kept me from wanting to do it again.  

This is the hike you will hear mentioned on the news when people or dogs fall off the trail.  It is quite steep so you need to pay attention and I would not recommend it in rainy weather.

It is beautiful though.  We didn't make it all the way to Tunnel Falls this time because we were running out of time and were a little anxious about getting off the trail before dark.  We were so very close though.  Next time we will start earlier so that we can make it all the way.  Even though, there are some beautiful water falls and sights along the way and the fall colors were gorgeous.

Oregon Zoo - October 10, 20014

Today we decided to explore the zoo.  We didn't have much time and wanted to go someplace close by but interesting.  The zoo was it!

Although we didn't track any mileage on the walk, it was nice to get out and enjoy this great fall weather we have been having.

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.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park - September 29, 2014

Hollie's Point of View and Bumping Knots Loop

7 Miles

We wanted a hike close to home and one that we could take the dogs on so we chose Stub Stewart State Park because we had heard of the many trails there and wanted to check them out.

The weather was cloudy and raining and someone didn't want to go.

Once there though he was ready to hike, even with the threat of rain.

The trail starts out on this paved portion and then becomes dirt and with the rain it was a muddy mess.  You do need to watch out for horses and bikes because this is a multi-use trail.  Along with the horses comes the piles of horse manure.  The trails are obviously used by many horses so watch where you step.  

Once the rain started the hike became not so fun.  We finished and had hopes of views of some sort as their were viewpoints noted on the map.  We must have missed them because we saw nothing but mud.  This is not a trail I would recommend on foot.  I think it is best suited for mountain biking.  There is a nice information center with helpful volunteers and probably great for city kids to learn about wildlife and the forest.