Kentucky Falls - N. Fork Smith River

Sept 13th

Our first hike is to Kentucky Falls and back. Kentucky Falls are twin waterfalls that drop over 100 feet.  This hike is 2 miles down to falls then 2 miles back on switchback trail.  It is rated moderate to difficult.  Plan on 3.5 hours to complete the hike with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the falls.

Dell & Roberta Willis will be the hike leaders for the short hike.  We will all be together for the trip down to the falls.  Dell and Roberta will accompany the group back to the Kentucky Falls trail head parking and make sure everyone gets back to the highway. 

For those who want a more challenging hike join Kim Griffin, Dave Gray and Don Luce as they continue another 6.5 miles down along the N. Fork Smith River trail.  The trail winds back and forth over 10 or more bridges through old growth forest of  Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Western Red Cedar and Big Leaf Maples. This hike is rated difficult and participants should plan on 5 hours for the total 8 miles of hiking.     * Special Note: About 10 feet of this trail has slipped 5- 6 feet down the hillside.  We will be traversing this short distance with the assistance of ropes.  Participants must be able to climb and support their own body weight with their arms. We just don't want anyone to get 4 miles into this hike to find out they can't climb down and back up the dip the trail makes here.  So just look at the picture and think about it before your decide.  Everyone is welcome.    

Directions to Reedsport Visitor Center:  From Coos Bay Visitor Center in downtown Coos Bay travel 26.6 miles N on Hwy 101. Visitor center is on left directly opposite the turnoff for Hwy 38.

Directions to the Kentucky Falls trail head from Reedsport: From Dunes Information Center Go north on Hwy 101 across bridge then make immediate right onto Road # 48 North Fork Road. Go 15.9 miles turn left onto 48A North Fork Rd. (part of this is single track gravel road with lots of deep potholes). Go 10.6 miles then turn right onto Road # 23.  Go 9.6 miles then turn left onto Road 919 go 2.7 miles to trailhead. (We will leave some vehicles to shuttle those who plan to take the 8.5 mile hike at the N. Fork Smith River trailhead 3.9 miles on left after #23 turnoff.)

From North Bend, drive north across the McCullough Bridge.  Turn left ( west) at Horsfall Dune Beach sign.  Follow the TransPacific Parkway 4 miles to the BLM boat ramp parking area on your left.

Tahkenitch & Three Mile Lake Trail

October 11th

Experience the amazing diversity of the Oregon coast range on either of these two hikes.

You can either travel the 2.5 miles loop trail  through the lush coastal forest along Tahkenitch Creek with views of the dunes.  The shorter hike is rated moderate and will last 2 hours. 

 or

Don Luce will lead you on a 6 mile loop combining the Tahkenitch Dune trail and the Threemile Lake trail.  Hike through big Spruce forest then over open dunes and through  the marshy deflation plain to the beach.  We travel 1 mile south along the beach before returning across the dunes past the beautiful and remote Threemile lake.

The long  hike is rated difficult and should last 4 hours.   

Bring lunch, plenty of water and dress in layers for hot and sunny to cold, foggy and windy weather.

The short hike will meet at the Tahkenitch Creek trailhead.  The long hike will meet a mile or so south of there at the Tahkenitch Dunes/ Threemile Lake trailhead. 

Tahkenitch Creek Trail head is 9 miles North of Reedsport on your left , Mile post marker 202 on Hwy 101.

This is a Forest Service day  use area .

A $5 day use fee per vehicle or appropriate pass is  required for parking at this trailhead.  

Golden and Silver Falls Trail

October 25th

This 2.8 mile hike climbs a switchback trail through old growth forest of Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple and Oregon Myrtle trees up past two beautiful waterfalls both of which are over 100 ft.  We wanted to see the falls after a little rain, so bring your raingear as we walk through the mist.  This hike is easy to  moderate and should last 2.5 hours.

For those wanting a longer hike Sarah Crawford will lead a group on past the falls another 1.5 miles to the site of an old historic homestead and talk about what life used to be like “ Above the Falls” .  The longer hike is 5.8 miles and is rated moderate overall.  There are a few springs crossing the trail beyond the falls, so waterproof boots are recommended.  Plan on 4 hours total.

Bring a lunch or snack and plan to sit back above the falls and drink it all in. 

There are pit toilets and picnic tables next to the parking area

From the Coos Bay Visitor Center take Hwy 101 south.   Turn left on Newport Ave/ Coos River Hwy. You are following the signs to Allegany.   Continue for .5 mile - cross the bridge then bear 90 degrees left onto 6th Ave/Coos River Hwy.  The road will make another 90 degree turn to the right and you will  pass the Coach House Restaurant on your right shortly after that.  Continue for .5 mile and turn right onto D Street/Coos River Hwy at the stop sign.   Continue .8 mile and bear left across the bridge onto S. Coos River Hwy.   Continue 1.5 mile then turn left on East Fork Millicoma Rd. and cross bridge. After bridge turn right and continue on East fork Millicoma Rd. for 19 miles through the town of Allegany before turning left onto gravel Glen Creek Rd.   Continue on Glen Creek Rd for 3 miles to parking area. 

Click on the links to see the full schedule of upcoming hikes:
South Coast Striders 2008 Schedule of Healthy Hikes

Hike schedules from our fellow hikers in Curry County:  Sole Pursuits remaining 2008 Schedule   Muscle Busters remaining 2008 Schedule