Kings Mountain Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: King's Mountain Trailhead
- End point: King's Mountain
- Trail log: Trail Log
- Distance: 5 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 2500 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: spring, summer, fall, possible in the winter
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: A little busy summer weekends
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Hike Description
Elk Mountain and King's Mountain are two popular hiking destinations in the Oregon Coast range. The trails are a little more rugged than typical Columbia Gorge or Mount Hood trails. They are lower elevation than Mount Hood hikes so they are possible in the winter when Mount Hood trails are snowed in.
There are two trailheads - Elk Mountain and King's Mountain, off highway 6 between Portland and Tillamook.
There are four hikes mentioned here - Elk Mountain Hike, King's Mountain Hike, Elk Mountain-King's Mountain Loop Hike, and Elk Creek Hike. These cover all the trail sections but you could obviously construct other combinations.
Carry water - there are (almost) no sources of water along the trails. This area is best for day hiking but the Elk Creek Hike mentions a possible backpack.
The Mazamas have adopted these trails, so they are well marked and well maintained. In the spring (late May to early June) King's Mountain features an abundance of wildflowers including beargrass, paintbrush, penstemon, phlox, and the rare phantom orchid.
There is one trail out of the trailhead. At 0.1 mile is a junction. Take the King's Mountain straight ahead. The Wilson River trail goes right, going to the Elk Creek Trailhead.
From here, there is only one trail. There are a few faint unmarked side trails. The side trail near the sign indicating .63 miles to the summit is a little used and overgrown trail leading to King's Jr., a minor peak southwest of the King's Mountain summit. This trail continues down a ridge to connect with the Wilson River Trail.
The trail is fairly rugged. You probably have to use your hands at a few places. During the winter in can be snowy, and after rain it can be muddy making it almost impassable.
There are nice views at the summit. When you're done looking around, go back the way you came. If you want a very strenuous hike, the trail continues, see Elk Mountain-King's Mountain Loop Hike.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required
Trip Reports
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Related Discussions / Q&A
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 60 Hikes within 60 miles of Portland by Paul Gerald
More Links
Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)