Cascade Head Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Knights Park Trailhead
- End point: Nature Conservancy Trailhead
- Trail log: Trail Log
- Hike type: Out and back
- Distance: 6.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 1310 feet
- High point: 1,305 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Lower trailhead year round. Upper trailhead is closed Jan 1-Jul 15
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
PLEASE NOTE: Dogs are not permitted on this trail even on leash. You may have seen people going up with dogs: these scofflaws are ignoring signs and the explicit directions of the Nature Conservancy. This is a private trail: DO NOT bring your pet!
This is one of the truly amazing places on the Oregon Coast. It has spectacular views down to Three Rocks, the Salmon River Estuary, and the headlands north of Lincoln City. The grassy headland is also home to an endangered species of butterfly, the Oregon silverspot, and at least two rare plant species. Much of the hike is on Nature Conservancy land, and you are subject to the Conservancy's own restrictions, as the primary purpose for this protected area is the conservation of native species. Please stay on the trail and leave your pet at home!
The hike begins at Knights Park. The first part of trail follows a path of wood shavings scant feet from Three Rocks Road. Cross the road and you'll find the path headed north on the shoulder of Savage Road. The trail dips from the road to reach a wooden bridge, and then parallels the road through the trees. At the crest of a hill, the path crosses the road and follows its west shoulder. A sign at the bottom of the hill marks the original trailhead, where the trail leaves the road for good.
With the roadside hike done, you'll begin climbing steeply, sometimes on stairs, through an old growth coastal forest. Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce dominate the area. You're on National Forest land in this short section, but please stay on the trail as private property is close. You'll climb about 270 feet in the first 2/10 of a mile to a grove of Sitka spruce indicated by a "13" marker. The climb eases here.
The trail crosses a couple of bridges over small streams and then enters a virtual tunnel of undergrowth. There are nearby houses here, but the thick, impenetrable growth separates them from the trail as effectively as distance. You'll cross Teal Creek in a dense wood and then start climbing again, although more gradually this time. At the edge of the Nature Conservancy land, there's an informational sign and a donation box. The meadows you're about to visit were saved from developers in the 1960s by the Nature Conservancy. (The same organization preserved Rowena Plateau and McCall Point in the Columbia River Gorge.) All hikers owe them a debt of gratitude. This hike wouldn't even be here without their efforts. Please consider a donation.
Very quickly after the sign, you'll break free of the forest and enter the headland meadow. The views to the south are awe-inspiring. The Salmon River Estuary dominates an ocean view that extends to Lincoln City. There's a small oasis of trees in a draw before the trail again hits the open slopes. The path traverses along the ridge at about the 500 foot level, finally coming to a view north and down a cliff to the ocean. From there, the trail switches back to begin climbing the slope. After several switchbacks, it levels out somewhat at the 1200 foot level at an upper viewpoint.
This headland meadow is a very rare ecosystem. There are two rare plants that call this hill home, the Cascade Head catchfly (Silene douglasii var oraria) and the hairy-stemmed checkermallow (Sidalcea hirtipes). Both of these species make their strongest stand here. It's estimated the 99% of all Cascade Head catchflies live on this one hill. The hairy checkermallow isn't quite that rare, but it still holds the rating of a "species of concern".
Most people will turn around in the meadow area. The last 0.6 miles of trail as well as the Nature Conservancy Trailhead, all in the Siuslaw National Forest, are closed from January 1st to July 15th.
If you're continuing (between July 15th and December 31st), follow the trail eastward on the north side of the ridge. This side is timbered, and it's a completely different hiking experience. The trail picks up a long-abandoned road as the level path works its way through an open forest carpeted with candy flower. There's a wooden arch across the trail at one point, and salmonberries are plentiful in season. It's almost a mile from the upper viewpoint to the Nature Conservancy Trailhead on Road 1861, but the walk is a quick one. If you have a second car, you can drive back, or you can hike back the way you came.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Cascade Head Trails (USFS)
- Cascade Head Trails Closure Order (USFS)
- Green Trails Maps: Oregon Coast North #356SX
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Siuslaw National Forest
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Oregon Central Coast
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs are not permitted on this trail
- Off-trail travel is not permitted
- Last 0.6 miles of trail as well as the upper Nature Conservancy Trailhead closed from January 1st to July 15th.
- Restrooms at Knights Park Trailhead
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Cascade Head
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Cascade Head
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes: Oregon Coast by William L. Sullivan
- Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region by George Wuerthner
- Beer Hiking: Pacific Northwest by Rachel Wood & Brandon Fralic
- PDX Hiking 365 by Matt Reeder
- 25 Hikes on Oregon's Tillamook Coast by Adam Sawyer
- 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland by Paul Gerald
- 52 Hikes for 52 Weeks by Franziska Weinheimer (Hike Oregon)
- Hiking the Oregon Coast by Lizann Dunegan
- Oregon Hiking by Matt Wastradowski
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Craig Hill & Matt Wastradowski
- Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness
- 120 Hikes on the Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson
- Day Hiking: Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson
- Best Hikes with Children: Western & Central Oregon by Bonnie Henderson
- 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon by Douglas Lorain
- Take a Hike: Portland by Barbara I. Bond
- Best Hikes Near Portland, Oregon by Fred Barstad
- Siuslaw Forest Hikes: A Guide to Oregon's Central Coast Range Trails by Irene & Dick Lilja
- Oregon Coast Hikes by Paul M. Williams
- 100 Oregon Hiking Trails by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
- Oregon Coast Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill
More Links
- Cascade Head Preserve (Nature Conservancy)
- Knight Park (Lincoln City, Oregon)
- An Eye-opening Hike to Cascade Head (Travel Oregon)
- Oregon Coast Hikes: Cascade Head (Author Paul Gerald)
- A Hike Up Cascade Head (Northwest Travel & Life)
- Cascade Head Hike (Outdoor Project)
- Cascade Head - Hiking (Roots Rated)
- Cascade Head (Oregon.com)
- Cascade Head (Oregon Adventures)
- Cascade Head (Summit Post)
- Cascade Head Trail (All Trails)
- "New hiking plan for Cascade Head and God's Thumb considered near Lincoln City" (Statesman Journal)
- Cascade Head (OregonWildflowers.org)
- Cascade Head (Northwest Wildflowers)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)