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Gales Creek Trail

I enjoy hiking in the Coastal Mountains. It’s always an interesting change of environment compared to the Cascade Mountains to the east which are currently closed to access.

In early May I took a pleasant eight-mile out-and-back hike on the Gales Creek Trail to Bells Camp Road from the west side of the Coastal Mountains.

I started the day by driving to the Reehers Camp Trailhead west of Timber, a great name for a small logging town in Western Oregon.

The trail followed the Nehalem River for awhile before crossing the river and beginning the 1,500-foot climb to Bells Camp Road.

The trail is poorly marked, but makes for a nice outing. On the summit I explored some logging roads for awhile before starting the return trip.

At one point the trail crossed the long-abandoned Tillamook Railroad track.

Other than seeing one mountain bicyclist, a trail runner and a person walking a couple of dogs, I pretty much had the trail to myself.

Wind Flower, Vanilla Leaf and Trillium

Nursery stumps, one with a springboard slot

Vine Maple and False Solomon Seal

Fairy Bells and Fair Lanterns (Wild Lilies)