Oregon Coastal Mountains

It was an overcast, cool autumn day. We decided to take an outing to the Coastal Mountains.

L.L. “Stub” Stewart Memorial State Park was our destination. It is situated next to the Banks-Vernonia Rail Trail.

The original railway line was built in the 1920s to move logs and lumber from a company mill in Vernonia, as well as freight and passengers to Portland. The railroad line was abandoned in 1973. One year later Oregon bought the right-of-way. In 2007 the State Park opened adjacent to a segment of the rail-trail.

We drove to the upper parking area, used primarily by equestrians. However, this day we were the only visitors.

Unfit Settlement View

Our hiking destination was Unfit Settlement View, a little more than a mile uphill from the trailhead. I read once the name “Unfit Settlement” refers to a 19th century surveyor’s assessment of the poor homesteading potential in the area.

Upon reaching the viewpoint, the highest point in the park (1,528 feet), it became clear that trees had grown high enough to obscure most of the views. As a trade-off, we did spot a Blacktail doe and fawn feeding in the underbrush.

All in all, it made for a nice outing.

Signs of Fall