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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2018)
community may3 2018 Worth the Trip: Nehalem River/Coast Loop 7 continued from front page for Henry Rierson Spruce is long and easily accessible. Run Campground. The first My favorite beach is at five miles of this road to the Oswald West State Park, be- Spruce Run Campground is tween Manzanita and Cannon nicely paved, but then it turns Beach. To access it, park at into a single lane in places the Short Sands North park- and eventually becomes ing lot and take the trail under gravel. Spruce Run is a very the highway for a short one well maintained Oregon For- mile stroll through the coastal est Service campground and forest to Short Sand Beach at offers day-use areas which Smuggler’s Cove. This fairly would make a great spot for short beach is protected, of- a picnic breakfast; there are fering respite from the con- several other Forest Service stant coastal winds, and offers picnic sites and camps along rocks and tide pools at either Lower Nehalem Road follows the Nehalem River Lower Nehalem Road as well. end to explore at low tide. It’s through the Coast Range. Most of us think of also a popular surfing spot, so Falls, but also winds through a rare stand the Nehalem River as slow either bring your board or just and meandering, but through this canyon of old growth Sitka spruce and western enjoy watching from the shoreline. An- it picks up speed and descends rather hemlock. other attraction here is Blumenthal Falls When you leave the canyon quickly, offering rapids and white water you’ll find yourself in Tillamook dairy much of the way. At milepost 9 is Beaver Eddy pastureland. At the first T intersection Campground, a great place to get out turn right onto Miami Foley Road. At and stretch your legs; there is easy ac- the next T turn left onto Highway 53, cess to a rocky beach and the riverfront then turn right onto Highway 101 and here. Just past Beaver Eddy at mile 10 head north into Nehalem. Because the road is rugged and the name of the road changes to Foss rough, plan on at least one hour to make Road as you cross the Clatsop/Tilla- mook County line. The Salmonberry this part of the drive, more if you plan to River Bridge marks about the halfway stop and explore a bit. mark on this 25 mile route and from here Time to Play Once you’ve reached the coast you can get a great view of the old Port there are numerous recreation opportu- of Tillamook Bay Railroad bridge cross- nities in this region of the Oregon Coast. ing the Nehalem. Farther down the road, around mile post 15 at the Nehalem Falls You can kayak on Nehalem Bay or pick Campground, is a flat and easy, one-mile your favorite spot from the numerous loop hike that takes you past the small beaches to visit and explore – there’s (eight foot and covered during higher Nehalem Bay State Park just south of water in winter and spring) Nehalem Manzanita, and the beach in Manzanita Blumenthal Falls at Smuggler’s Cove at the far north end, a scenic 45 foot horsetail fall that drops directly into the ocean. If you’re looking for a lon- ger hike, look no further than the Cape Falcon Trail. You can pick up this trail right at the beach at Smuggler’s Cove, or park just north from the Short Sands trailhead on the opposite side of High- way 101. This easy five mile, round- trip trail, part of the Oregon Coast Trail, winds through the coastal forest before opening up for views of the ocean and has minimal elevation gain, but can be muddy in winter and spring. Looking for something a bit more challenging? Neahkahnie Moun- tain Trail offers access to one of the highest spots on the Oregon Coast Trail and is also located in Oswald West State Park. You can access the trail at either the South Trailhead, located just north of Manzanita before you enter Oswald West Park, or from the North Trailhead located south of the Short Sands Park- ing area. Both these steep trails will take you to the Neahkahnie Mountain View- point. The trail from the south is three miles to the summit and gains 840 feet in elevation; the trail from the north is five miles one way and gains 1,450 feet. Don’t Forget About Lunch After playing on the beach or hiking up Neahkahnie Mountain, you’ve probably earned yourself a nice meal and maybe even a tasty beverage. You have plenty of choices in either Manzanita or Cannon Beach, or even back down the road in Nehalem. In Nehalem, my fa- vorite spot is Garden Pizza, offering all continued on page 9 RIDE INN Burgers & Fries 9 Beers on Tap Growlers To Go Home of the Bear Creek Pub Prime Rib Dinner every Friday & Saturday Check us Out on Facebook NowOpen!•15rooms•Fullyremodeled 900 Madison Avenue, Vernonia 971-227-0462 503-382-9380 jeromecordell@gmail.com Marie Krahn Massage Therapy Auto injury recovery/medical billing • Accepting: Medical Benefits Cards • Medical Massage Cupping • Swedish Massage • Reiki • Deep Tissue • Reflexology • doTerra Aroma Touch • Trigger Point Therapy • Myofacial Release Mariolino’s Pizza & Grill lic#5495 Farmwoman’s Nursery Lorna Poetter (503) 429-8200 Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner Daily Specials We have ice cream! Cones-Shakes-Sundaes 503-429-5180 mariekrahn@frontier.com 503.429.0214 831 Bridge St. Serving Vernonia since 1970 721 Madison Avenue, Vernonia (503) 429-5018 2121 N Mist Drive (503) 369-09 2 3 PoetterFarm@gmail.com FB: Farmwoman’s Nursery
