Felt like the Stampers, I did. Hiking in the Coastal Mountains always reminds me of Ken Kesey’s ode to the old-time logging families in Sometimes a Great Notion. Without a doubt, it is verdant and beautiful country.

On an early summer weekend I drove almost to the crest of the Coastal Range before taking the well-maintained road to Gales Creek Forest Camp. After four years the Gales Creek Trail had been repaired and reopened early last year, allowing a six-mile hike to Bell Camp Road at the top of the Coastal Mountains. But this day I was thwarted by an active logging operation about one mile from the end. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed a pleasant hike in the Gales Creek Valley.

Great Hedge-nettle

Blackberries

Rein Orchid

Trail closed due to logging

Devil’s Club

Gales Creek

Tributary Creek

Scouler’s Bluebell