community
may3
2018
Worth the Trip: Nehalem River/Coast Loop
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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
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