With the weatherman’s promise of a respite from the fall rains, I drove to the Soapstone Lake Trailhead in the Clatsop State Forest in late autumn. It is a relatively easy hike – – – three miles roundtrip with 475 feet of elevation gain.
The area lies on the west side of the Coastal Mountains about 13 miles from Seaside. It’s a fairly new trail in good shape with four footbridges.
There was some fresh sign deer along the trail, mostly near a grassy meadow that was once the site of old homesteader’s cabin.
Upon reaching the far side of the Lake, I found a nice place to take some photos and eat a snack.
On the way back I marveled at the size of the huge stumps along the trail, a reminder of old-time logging in the early 20th century.
Soapstone Lake
Waterfall nearby on the North Fork of the Nehalem River
Footbridge over a small creek
Railroad ties used for stair steps in the trail
Why your humble scribe does not do much bushwhacking in the Coastal Mountains
Soapstone Lake
The left side of the trail slowly eroding away
Veal (plump Roosevelt Elk spotted near the trailhead)
Great fun and good pics John
Thanks Geoff. It’s a real change from hiking in the Gorge.
Beautiful images, John. Thanks for mentioning a new place for me to explore.
Thanks Debbie. Some times in late spring I’ll do Soapstone in the early morning, then drive to Saddle Mountain and do that hike too. They’re not too far apart.