Kayaking and Hiking Adventures

  S5. Hike #17 - Drift Creek Falls Starting Location:  parking lot at trailhead Point of Interest :  forest scenery, waterfall, suspension bridge Distance : 3 miles (with option for 1 more) Difficulty : Moderate due to steepness Bathrooms:  Vault toilets at parking lot Parking : decent parking, well marked. EV Chargers :  no It's been quite a few years since we've been here. The road to the trail is longer than I remember, and not really well marked. There is a sign on Hwy 18 for Drift Creek Covered Bridge, and this is the correct turn. There's another way coming from Hwy 101 south of Lincoln City.  The road is narrow, but paved the whole way. You just have to go slow around corners. We came here on Veterans Day, and the weather was gorgeous. Temp was mid 50s, but my hands did get chilly in the forest.  The trail is easy to follow, and well maintained. It wasn't too wet when we hiked, so not muddy or slippery. We did bring a set of poles, an...

  S5. Hike #16 - Peavy Arboretum (McDonald Dunn Forest) Starting Location:  parking lot at Peavy Arboretum Point of Interest :  forest scenery Distance : 4 miles (lots of trails available) Difficulty : Moderate due to steepness Bathrooms:  porta potties at parking lot Parking : plenty of parking, several small lots EV Chargers :  no We've been here before, in Feb 2024, but the weather was so good, and this is close to home, and the leaves are changing color. Our group of 8 started out walking uphill along a service road, with trees arched over us, dropping colorful leaves. The road is in great shape, but a constant incline for over a mile. We eventually left the road for the Powder House trail. This trail is smaller, but still in good shape, although the wet leaves could be slippery. We were here in the afternoon, and the light was fantastic, setting off the color of the leaves. Lots of interesting places and views along the way, including this small ...