Cascade Head Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Cascade Head Lower Trailhead
- End point: Cascade Head Upper Trailhead
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and back or Traverse with Car Shuttle
- Distance: 3.4 miles round trip (1.7 mile traverse)
- Elevation gain: 1200 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Lower Trailhead year round. Upper trailhead is closed Jan 1-Jul 15
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This is one of the truly amazing places on the Oregon Coast. It has spectacular views and his home to an endangered species of butterfly and at least two rare plants.
The hike has recently been extended when the trailhead was moved south to Knight Park. The first part of trail is rather ho-hum as you walk a path of wood shavings scant feet from Three Rocks Road. Cross the road and you'll find the path headed north on the shoulder of Alder Park Drive. The trail dips from the road for a bit onto a wooden bridge, the parallels the road through the trees. At the crest of a hill the path crosses the road and becomes the west shoulder of the road. At the bottom of the hill, the trail leaves the road for good.
With the roadside hike done, things start to get interesting quick. You'll climb steeply, sometimes on stairs, through an old growth coastal forest. Doug fir and spruce dominate the area. You're on National Forest land here, but please stay on the trail as private property is close. Take your time working your way up the hill and enjoy the sites. This is a short hike, remember?
After climbing about 400 feet things level off for a bit. You'll cross Teal Creek on a completely treed in bridge and then start climbing again, although more gradually this time. After about a mile (admittedly a long one), you'll break free of the forest and enter the headland meadow. The views are immediately tremendous to the south. The Salmon River Estuary dominates an ocean view that extends to Lincoln City. There's a small oasis of trees is a draw, then the trail again hits the open slopes. The trail traverses along the ridge at about the 500 foot level, finally coming to a view north, down a cliff to the Pacific. From there, the trail switches back to begin climbing the slope. After several switchbacks, the it levels out somewhat at the 1200 foot level and heads back into the trees, toward the Upper Trailhead.
The views are always there for the taking, but be sure to look at the foreground, as well. Cascade Head is home to two endangered flowering plants and the endangered Oregon silverspot butterfly.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- None
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland, by Paul Gerald
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)