TRIP 6 Cedar Butte

      HIGHLIGHTS In its continuing (and much appreciated) efforts to build more hiking trails, the Tillamook State Forest recently replaced the old boot path up Cedar Butte with a new, well-engineered trail. As a result, this old fire lookout site, which features grand views over a little-known section of the Coast Range, is much easier to access. The drive to the trailhead remains long and confusing, but once you get there the hike is a real treat.

      DIRECTIONS Drive west on State Highway 6 toward Tillamook to a junction with Cedar Butte Road just past milepost 18. Turn right on this narrow, but relatively smooth gravel road and climb steeply for 2.2 miles to a fork. Bear right, proceed 2.9 miles to another fork, and then bear left. The road is now quite rough and has lots of sharp gravel (good tires are important), but it remains passable. Go 0.5 mile, and then park at a saddle in the middle of a large clear-cut where a rough dirt road goes left (uphill).

      The possibly unsigned trail starts 60 yards up the dirt road at a fence stile on the right. The stile was installed to exclude ATVs from using this hiker-only route.

      The trail climbs gradually through an ugly clear-cut above a logging road for 0.3 mile and then enters a much more pleasant forest environment of young Douglas firs. The ground cover, typical of mid-elevations in the Coast Range, is a mix of Oregon grape, sword fern, and salal. After steadily climbing a series of short switchbacks, the trail becomes increasingly steep and winds up a forested ridge toward the summit. Occasional openings in the tree cover provide partially obstructed views, and rocky areas support plenty of wildflowers in May and June. Look for wood sorrel, beargrass, and cliff penstemon. Just below the top of the butte the trail peters out, but it is easy to negotiate the last 30 yards to the open summit. The small meadowy flat spot at the top is littered with shards of glass (the remains of the old fire lookout), so be careful where you sit.

      The view from the summit is expansive, including the rugged outcroppings on Sawtooth Ridge and Mutt Peak to the west and northwest, the roadless canyon of Little South Fork Kilchis River to the north, and countless other ridges summits and canyons that are unfamiliar to most Oregon hikers. Bring a Tillamook State Forest map to help identify the convoluted assortment of jagged peaks and ridges.

      Dedicated scramblers can continue northwest from Cedar Butte, traveling cross-country along a mostly open but very rugged ridge past a string of high viewpoints and rock gardens. Solitude is virtually guaranteed. After about 2 miles you reach a deep little pass beyond which reasonable travel becomes impossible.

      TRIP 7 Wilson Falls

Distance		2.9 miles, Out-and-back
Elevation Gain		350 feet
Hiking Time		1½ hours
Optional Map		Tillamook State Forest
Usually Open		All year
Best Time		Mid-April to early June
Trail Use		Good for kids, dogs OK, mountain biking
Agency		Forest Grove District, Tillamook State Forest
Difficulty		Moderate
Note		Good in cloudy weather

      HIGHLIGHTS This relatively short outing makes either a great leg-stretcher while traveling to the coast or a worthwhile destination in its own right. The tranquil forest setting and beautiful Wilson Falls are both top-notch, and if they aren’t enough to justify the drive, several other nearby attractions are of both scenic and historical interest.

      DIRECTIONS Drive west on State Highway 6 toward Tillamook and park at gravel pull-outs on either side of the road just after you pass milepost 20.

      The trail goes 80 yards west along the highway shoulder and then descends a flight of moss-covered stone stairs to a large wooden bridge over a rocky gorge on the Wilson River. Once across the bridge, the trail crosses a small flood-damaged area and then climbs 150 yards to an unsigned junction with the Wilson River Trail.

      You turn right (upstream) and wander gradually uphill through a lovely woodland dominated by red alder and vine maple. Although you can hear the sounds of traffic on nearby Highway 6, the landscape feels and looks like a remote wilderness. This is particularly true in the spring and summer when the deciduous trees have all their leaves and effectively block any view of the road. Another advantage of a visit in spring or early summer is that the forest is alive with the songs of warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, wrens, and other birds.

      You soon cross a seasonal side creek on a log bridge and then wander up and down through a lush and attractive forest. After crossing a second seasonal creek at 0.8 mile, the trail climbs two switchbacks and comes to the top of a minor ridge. Here the path makes a sharp left turn and then goes mostly downhill for 0.2 mile to the base of Wilson Falls, which is on an unnamed side creek. Instead of dropping in a single spectacular fall, Wilson Falls cascades down a very steep cliff creating a veil-like appearance that is quite beautiful. Maidenhair ferns, devil’s clubs, yellow monkeyflowers, bleeding hearts, and other water-loving plants complete the scene. The falls is most attractive in the spring when the plants are bright green and the creek is full of water. Although the Wilson River Trail continues beyond the falls, most of the next few miles are near the road and are not recommended.

      Since this is a fairly short hike, you might consider extending your stay by visiting other nearby attractions. First

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