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Wilson River Trail
5 reviews
3.6 of 5
This trail parallels Highway 6 and the Wilson River for about 15 miles. For a river trail, it isn''t very flat, but most climbs are not sustained.
Much of the east end of this trail is Sweco-track (i.e. a couple of feet wide), but it''s out-sloped well, so it''s one of the best trails when the ground is wet.
Some of the trail, near the interpretive center on the West end, is flatter and narrower.
You can ride parts of this trail as an out-n-back or point-to-point (shuttle), or you can ride the whole thing (and back!) if you''re feeling gonzo.
Great views in places of the Wilson River and the coastal range. It''s always cooler here than in the valley (or the gorge), and it''s wet enough to discourage poison oak.
Take Highway 6 West towards Tillamook. About 5 miles past the summit (about 9 miles past the Tillamook Forest sign), you'll see the Elk Creek Campground entrance on the right, almost across from South Fork road. During the summer the gate is open here and you can drive to the Elk Creek campground. (In winter, park by the road and ride in). The trail starts just across a bridge on Elk Creek with a steep uphill.
You can also access this trail several other places, such as Kings. Mountain, Diamond Mill (motorcycle place), Smith Homestead, or the Interpretive center.
Some of the trail sections have some exposure, but there's very little technical stuff.
See this for location: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=45.60732&lon=-123.46156&datum=nad83&u=7
Summary: From Elk creek to Forest center has a big, challenging hill as well as nice views. It's hard either direction, but especially from Elk Creek due to repeated steep pitches. Exposure is only an issue for maybe 50 feet, and not too bad. Trail is great, even when a bit wet. West of Forest center is nice but less remote and without the big hill. Great trail all around.
Recommended Route: I like it as out and back from Elk Creek, going as far as you have time for.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Gales, Browns Camp, Storey Burn.
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Warning! My car was broken into parked by the gate. One of my windows was broken out. We had a bunch of stuff sitting out visible on our back seat. Put your things in your trunk!
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Summary: I thought this was a great trail. From Elk Creek to Keenig Creek is around 18 or so miles. I rode from Elk Creek To Jones Creek and back one day and from Jones Creek to Keenig another. There are possible plans to extend this trail all the way to Tilamook to the west. What an incredible journey to take it all the way from Elk Creek to the Pacific Ocean (around 40 miles one way). The Elk Creek to Jones Creek section has some incredible views. There is some good clibing, but you will be rewarded with very fast downhills and switchbacks. From Jones Creek to Keenig has some very sketchy sections especially by Wolf Creek Road and the descent to Keenig has some very fun switchbacks. I thought the trail was better than Brown's Camp
Recommended Route: the whole thing is very fun. From Portland, get on Hwy 6 and when you pass the summit, look for the first WRT trailhead which will be Elk Creek. Around 8 or so miles from the summit.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Brown's Camp (Historic Hiking Trail), Sioxan Creek Trail, Lewis River Trail, Three Corner Rock
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Summary: This is part of the newer trails that have been built in the Tillamook State Forest. It is a very twisty trail. It is narrow and there are a couple of exposed sections. There is good 800-1000 ft. climb in the section from the Elks Creek to Jones Creek trailheads.
I only did the section from Elks creek to Jones Creek. There are many more miles west of Jones creek.
The trail is loose in parts, so keep your tire pressure as low as possible for traction.
There are a few pedestrians in the 3.5 mile section from the Elks Creek trailhead to the Kings mountain trailhead. Near as I can tell, the rest does not get much pedestrial traffic.
I loved this trail and would recommend it to anyone who is fit and enjoys single track.
Check out : http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/TSF/trails.shtml for all the non-motorized trails in the area.
Recommended Route: Good parking at Jones Creek or Elks Creek Trailheads. Out and back on the trail is the way to go.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Gales Creek, Story Burn, Historic trail
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Summary: I have ridden most of the trail on two occasions. There is a lot of climbing. Lots of exposure. Some sections that are exposed have pretty soft shoulders that are wider than one would expect. High speeds are not possible or recommended. Lots of blind corners. Usually there are hikers.
It would be a good trail to do if you want to see some great views. Or if you cannot ride Browns Camp or Gales Creek because they are rained out. Or if you simply love to climb a bunch with little payoff beyond a serious hand cramp for all of the braking on a couple of sections.
If you want to climb a bunch, do yourself a favor and ride Gales Creek out to the end at Rehers(sp?) camp and then back. Much more fun all the way around.
If you must ride it, know that the trail is in great shape all of the time for the most part. Some parts are pretty new so becareful.
I was not impressed.
Recommended Route: The route Leeman describes is fine. As he said there are several places to jump in. The section with the most climbing is between Kings Mountain Trailhead and Diamond Mill OHV parking lot.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Browns Camp
Gales Creek
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