Hiking options for early Spring

Punch Bowl Falls - Eagle Creek


Well, I have yet to write my camera review in part because Oregon weather is being, well, Oregon like. As a result I haven't got outside to take pictures yet.

While rain, with a few sun breaks here and there, has been the routine the last couple weeks the current forecast for the weekend is 80 degrees in the Willamette Valley and 70 degrees at the coast. Although there will be too much snow for hiking in the mountains proper, it would be a good weekend to hit the Opal Creek Trail east of Salem, the Drift Creek Trail in the coast range near Lincoln City or the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia Gorge. All of these trails are at lower elevations and are good options for Spring hiking.

Drift Creek Falls Trail

While my daughter was home after graduating from Marine Boot Camp we decided to take a day trip to the coast and work in a hike along the way. As my ankle was still recovering from surgery it seemed like a good hike as it is only a 3 mile round trip with a couple hundred feet of elevation change.

If you are traveling up the Oregon Coast Hwy 101 and want a beautiful mountain hike to compliment the many hiking opportunities along the coast line I would highly recommend you try Drift Creek Falls Trail #1378. The reward at the end is a 240' suspension bridge that crosses 100' above Drift Creek below. From the bridge you can view 80' Drift Creek Falls. The trail is located a few miles east of Lincoln City which is in the central Oregon Coast region.

The trail itself is a gentle decline from the parking lot and very well maintained. We saw several seniors who had no trouble making the hike. If the coast is fogged in and cold like it can get in the summer this is a nice escape to some warmer weather. To get to the trail look for the sign just after crossing Siletz Bay going north. This is just as you are entering Lincoln City. Alternatively you can reach the trail head by Taking Drift Creek Road a few miles from the end of Hwy 20. This is the highway that connects the state capital city of Salem to Lincoln City. While in Lincoln City take the opportunity to stop at the D River wayside. Nice beach access and home to the worlds shortest River.

As with most trail heads in Oregon located on Forest Service land you'll need a $5 Northwest Forest Pass unless you have an annual pass. These can be purchased from the self service dispenser near the trail head.

Trails still covered in snow!

Well it is now July 24 and things are still not looking too good. The Detroit Ranger District is reporting significant snow at 5,000' and higher. I was hoping to make my first hike to Triangulation Peak. It is a nice hike of a couple miles with a great view. It is especially good for those who don't have a lot of hiking experience or are not up for a7-10 mile hike to Jefferson Park. According to the Detroit Ranger Station the trail head is still not accessible.

For now I'll just post a picture from a couple years ago. This is taken from Boca Cave which is a short scramble for the top of Triangulation Peak. You can find the side trail on your left when you first get to the flat area of trail near the summit.