Oregon Coastal Mountains

It was a beautiful summer day. We decided to take an outing to the Coastal Mountains.

L.L. “Stub” Stewart Memorial State Park was the 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. 

Unfit Settlement Viewpoint

It’s a pleasant uphill hike to Unfit Settlement Viewpoint, which has become mostly overgrown. Then we turned downhill until making a turn onto the trail leading to Skycar Viewpoint. Unlike the preious viewpoint, this one had  unobstructed views of the Coastal Mountains. And, Boomscooter Pond could be seen in the woods below. 

One of the fun things about hiking in the Park is that most everything has a name that comes from the days of the old-time railroads – – – skycar, boomscooter, caddywhomper, etc.