🎶“A-WATERFALL HUNTING WE WILL GO… HEIGH HO THE FLYNNIE-O, A HUNTING WE WILL GO”🎶
ON THIS MID-OCTOBER 2021 NORTH OREGON COAST PAWTRIP
The Map above shows our route. From Lake Oswego, OR we drive out the 26W, and take the Wilson River Highway/Hwy 6, to the Jones Creek Trailhead/WILSON FALLS, then 101 North to Garibaldi for lunch, on to Wheeler, turning east to NEHALEM FALLS, then back to the 101 and North to the Tolovana Inn in Cannon Beach. On DAY 2 we drive south on the 101 to Short Sand Beach and BLUMENTHAL FALLS at Oswald West State Park, North to Hug Point and HUG POINT FALLS, then back to the Tolovana Inn. On Our FINAL DAY we take the 101 North to Seaside, drive inland to YOUNGS RIVER FALLS, then follow the Nehalem River Hwy to FISHHAWK FALLS, then JEWEL MEADOWS WILDLIFE REFUGE, before rejoining Hwy 26 up and over the coastal mountain range and back to Lake Oswego.
DAY 1 Friday – LAKE OSWEGO, WILSON RIVER HIKE, NEHALEM FALLS, TOLOVANA INN CANNON BEACH
With our Friends Dana and Laura in tow, we leave at 9:30 a.m and it’s 🎶“Over the river and through the woods to WILSON FALLS we go, the FLYNN knows the way…” (you get the idea)… arriving an hour later at the WILSON RIVER JONES CREEK TRAILHEAD where we meet up with our friend Michelle, who lives at the Coast, and is joining us for this FALL hike.  We end up parking at the OHV area and pick up the trail here, when we find out the start of the trail from the Day Use Area is blocked off.
This section of the Wilson River Trail to Wilson Falls is an easy 5.5 RT hike along the Charming Wilson River! (Leashed Dog)
NO FEE OR PERMIT REQUIRED
WILSON RIVER TRAIL MAP BELOW
Along the trail we make a stop, walking out onto the Tillamook Forest Center Suspension Bridge looking up and down stream (Note: On the other side of the River, the Forest Center is closed, and so too is the Bridge Gate and Entrance to the Bridge from the Forest Center;) then we continue our hike up to the road, and across another bridge, then back down to the trail…
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY IN THE FOREST
IN LIKE FLYNN!
Followed by, A short uphill climb, A Rocky Wet Patch of Trail, and when We look up, there Above Us is WILSON FALLS. Â (So glad we had our friend Michelle with us who was familiar with the trail, or we might have missed the Falls altogether!)
Selfies at WILSON FALLS,
a 200′ Multi-tiered Falls
Michelle suggests Lunch at the GARIBALDI PORTSIDE BISTRO, a 40 minute Drive North on the 101 from Jones Creek, which is on our route….GREAT CHOICE!
NOTE: The Covered and Open Outside Seating Areas facing the Marina are DOG FRIENDLY, but on this one, the FLYNN DOG sits in the car while we eat inside to warm up!
Outdoor Covered Seating facing Marina
After lunch we follow Michelle North on the 101 to the town of Wheeler, where she signals, we take a right, turning off onto the 53, and follow GPS directions and signs to the NEHALEM FALLS CAMPGROUND and NEHALEM FALLS…. Â The Campground is closed for the season, so we park just outside the gate, walk a short distance into the campground, then take a left down the trail and stairs to the Falls and Fish Ladder. Â Note: These Falls are visible when the water is lower such as today, but disappear, and become rapids, during the higher water in Winter and Spring. (Leashed Dog)
NO FEE OR PERMIT REQUIRED – When Campground Closed
NEHALEM FALLS, an 8′ Gradual Cascade
Then we’re on the road again, driving through Nehalem to the 101N, passing the town of Manzanita, Oswald West State Park, and Neahkahnie Mountain, before finally reaching our destination at Tolovana Park, where we take a right, drive back under the road…And Wait For It…
“What to Our Wondering Eyes Should Appear?”…
But, a HERD OF ELK!
(And, NOT A SINGLE REINDEER)
Below is the view from our
DOG-FRIENDLY Oceanfront Suite at the TOLOVANA INN;
Sunset from our deck;
And, A Midnight Moon –
“HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE…THE (FLYNN) JUMPED OVER THE MOON”
OVERNIGHT AT THE Â TOLOVANA INN.
DAY 2 Â Saturday – TOLOVANA INN, SHORT SAND BEACH/BLUMENTHAL FALLS, HUG POINT/HUG POINT FALLS, TOLOVANA INN CANNON BEACH
“IT”S A NEW DAWN, IT’S A NEW DAY….and FLYNN’s FEELING GOOD!”…after yesterday’s busy day and now morning walk on Cannon Beach.  (Dogs are allowed off-leash.)
This afternoon, We drive South to Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park, where we park in the paved lot on the east side of the highway, then hike the 1.2 mile RT trail through Old Growth Forest to the beach…
NO FEE OR PERMIT REQUIRED
..and north to BLUMENTHAL FALLS, a 45′ Horsetail Falls at LOW TIDE. (Dogs allowed off-leash on beach)
Below, FLYNN timing the waves as he plans his exit off the rock; Playing his favorite game of  “Pick up Sticks;” and Navigating a Slippery Slope
Then we drive back up the 101 to HUG POINT STATE PARK; take a left into the parking lot; follow the short path and stairs down to the beach…
NO FEE OR PERMIT REQUIRED
…and, walk .7 mile RT north and there is the popular HUG POINT FALLS and Sea Caves at LOW TIDE. (Dogs allowed off-leash on beach)
HUG POINT FALLS, a 15′ VERTICAL BLOCK
OVERNIGHT AT THE TOLOVANA INN
DAY 3 Â Sunday – TOLOVANA INN, YOUNGS RIVER FALLS, FISHHAWK FALLS, JEWEL WILDLIFE REFUGE, LAKE OSWEGO
“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…” on our last day of Waterfall Hunting.
We leave the Tolovana Inn late morning and head north to Seaside, OR, turning east on Lewis & Clark Road…
…driving the backroads of Clatsop County, surrounded by FALL COLOR, following GPS directions to Youngs River Rd, and YOUNGS RIVER FALLS.
We know we’re there when we spot the Small “Youngs River Falls” Sign on our left pointing right, so head up the dirt road, and park, when we see another car.
An unmarked trail (opening,) on the left looks promising, so we start walking down, see the Falls through the trees, and keep going .3 mile RT until we reach the Impressive YOUNGS RIVER FALLS, a 54′ Veiling Horsetail Falls. (Leashed Dog)
NO FEE OR PERMIT REQUIRED
Then back on Youngs River Fall Road, we pull over when we see a HERD OF ELK munching on fruit in a Fenced Orchard…
“Little FLYNN BRECK come Blow Your Horn
(or, In FLYNN’s case Let out a BLOOD-CURDLING YOWL,)
the ELK are in the Orchards, on Hillsides, in Pastures and Meadows, literally everywhere we drive,
The Pinzgauer Cows in the Corn?”
“ABOUT FACE…MAKE A RUN FOR IT!”
“HOLY COW, PINZGAUER CATTLE!”
Continuing on, Youngs River Road becomes the Olney Cutoff Rd, then joins the Nehalem Hwy/Hwy 202, where after several wrong turns, we finally see a LARGE Sign (Note the Emphasis on LARGE, Meaning Can’t Miss It, In Your Face Sign,) for LEE WOODEN COUNTY PARK /FISHHAWK FALLS, and pull into the parking area.  (I can’t stress enough, IGNORE the GPS Directions or you will wind up in the Creek or on some unnamed road!)
A Leafy .25 Mile RT Path from the Parking area leads us down to FISHHAWK FALLS. (Leashed Dog)
NO FEE OR PERMIT REQUIRED
FISHHAWK FALLS, a 72′ steep veiling cascade
5-minutes further along the Hwy, and we turn off into the first of several Elk Viewing Areas at the JEWEL MEADOW WILDLIFE REFUGE…
”FLYNN, tell the Readers what’s behind Viewing Area #1?”
“Well Friends, Elk A-Plenty Lazing & Grazing! ”
“Hmm, I wonder if all of the other Elk we saw know about Jewel Meadows?”
(Leashed Dog)
AN ODFW, Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife, PARKING PERMIT is REQUIRED which can be purchased online or ODFW office
Jewell Wildlife Area Map Below
As another PAWTRIPPING Adventure comes to an end, we head over the Coastal Mountain Range onto Hwy 26, and in the words of Chief Seattle:
“Take only Memories and Leave only PAWprints!”
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 1 Friday – Lake Oswego to Wilson River/Jones Creek TH, Garibaldi Portside Bistro, Nehalem Falls, Tolovana Inn Cannon Beac
- Hwy 26 to Wilson River Hwy/6 to
- Jones Creek/Wilson River Trailhead -Between MP 22 & 23 Hwy 6/Wilson River Hwy, Tillamook, OR
- Hwy 6 to Hwy 101 N. to Garibaldi Portside Bistro – 304 Mooring Basin Dr., Garibaldi, OR
- Hwy 101 to Wheeler, East on Hwy 53
- Nehalem Campground & Nehalem Falls – MP7 Foss Rd., Nehalem, OR
- 101 N to Tolovana Park & Tolovana Inn -3400 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, OR
DAY 2 Saturday – Tolovana Inn, Short Sand Beach/Blumenthal Falls to Hug Point/Hug Point Falls, Tolovana Inn
- From Tolovana Inn – 3400 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, OR
- Hwy 101 S. to Short Sand Beach/Blumenthal Falls – Oswald West State Park, Manzanita, OR
- Hwy 101 N. to Hug Point/Hug Point Falls – 5 miles south of Cannon Beach
- Tolovana Inn – 3400 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, OR
DAY 3 Sunday – Tolovana Inn, Youngs River Falls, Lee Wooden Park/Fishhawk Falls, Jewel Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Lake Oswego, OR
- Tolovana Inn
- Hwy 101 N. to Seaside, Right on Lewis & Clark Rd.
- Youngs River Falls – Youngs River Falls Rd., Astoria,OR
- Lee Wooden County Park/Fishhawk Falls – MP 25 Nehalem Hwy 202
- Jewel Meadows Wildlife Refuge – 79878 Hwy 202, Seaside, OR
- Hwy 26
- Lake Oswego
RESOURCES
TRAVEL OREGON
PINTEREST- Various Blogs
CANNON BEACHÂ
NW WATERFALL SURVEY
TIDE CHARTS
JEWEL MEADOWS WILDLIFE REFUGE
THAT OREGON LIFE
ONLY IN OREGON
ALLTRAILS
OREGON HIKERS
OREGON STATE PARKS
“100 HIKES OREGON COAST AND COAST RANGE” – William Sullivan
“WATERFALL LOVER’s GUIDE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST” – Gregory Plumb
”OREGON ROAD AND RECREATION ATLAS”
TOLOVANA INN
www.tolovanainn.com
- 3400 S. Hemlock, Cannon Beach, OR
- 503-436-2211
- Dog-Friendly Ocean Front Suite w/Murphy Bed and 2 adjoining Rooms (Limited Pet Friendly Rooms Available)
- Room Rate. Plus Pet Fee Per Night
- Amenities: Â Full Kitchen; Complimentary Morning Coffee; High Speed Wifi; Flatscreen TV; Sundry Items; Indoor Pool, Spa and Sauna; Fitness Center; Beach Fire pits; Air Conditioning and Heater; Elevator
- Dog Relief Area
FLYNN’S PACKING LIST
Dog Food
Paw Butter
Towel
Toy
Dog Treats
Brush
Dog Bowls
Canned Pumpkin
Sheet
Travel Dog Bed
Dog First Aid Kit
Bottled Water
Raincoat
Dog Boots
Leash
Dog Waste Bags
Safety Harness
Be First to Comment