Corvallis, OR: Horse Creek Trail

Massive, mossy trees lend a fairy tale air to this 7.1-mile out-and-back through the Drift Creek Wilderness and one of the Oregon coast's last remaining stands of old growth.

Our Apps

Map Tools

Share Trip

E-mail Trip
Embed Map
Copy & paste the text in this field to embed this trip in your blog or website:
Social Bookmarks
more bookmarks...

Download To

Create a Trip

Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Date:	1 Jul 2009 7:40:25 AM
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	Oregon (OR)
Distance:	7.1 mi (Change units)
Survey Elevation:	Total Gain: 602 ft Total Loss: 1956 ft Net Change: -1354 ft
Difficulty:	4 / 10
USGS Topo Map:	Tidewater
Tags:	Oregon, Siuslaw National Forest, Corvallis, Drift Creek Wilderness, Waldport
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

This easy dayhike in the 5,800-acre Drift Creek Wilderness begins on a high, forested ridge a few hours south of Portland (and only a few miles from the rugged coastline). After a short warm-up along timber-harvest areas of the Siuslaw National Forest, the trail plunges into a mystical woodland of Sitka spruce, hemlock, and Douglas fir, with the largest trees bulging to 10 feet in diameter. Huge ferns blanket the forest floor, and moss hangs from the 400-year-old trees. The path is well-maintained along the ridge but just past mile 2, the trail turns downhill where it begins a steep, switchbacking descent toward Drift Creek.

Though the trails are marked and maintained, there are sections encroached by renegade foliage. Watch for poison ivy as well as resident black bear, elk, bald eagles and northern spotted owls—this is prime territory for all of them. The descent mellows about a quarter mile from a creek-side campsite. If you've got time to spare consider an overnight to enjoy salmon or trout fishing before retracing your tracks on the climb to the trailhead.

Note: With 120 inches of rain annually, this rainforest lives up to its wet-weather expectations. Be prepared for a damp hike, even in mid summer, and don't plan to ford the creek in early spring or after heavy rains.

-Mapped by Steve Johnson

TO TRAILHEAD: From Corvallis, take OR 20 50 miles west and turn south onto US 101 for roughly 8.5 miles. Turn left at Beaver Creek Rd. and continue 3.8 miles. Turn right onto Elk Horn Rd. (FR 51) and drive 5.9 miles. Turn left onto FR 50 for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto FR 5087 and drive 3.5 miles to trailhead.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Horse Creek

Distance: 3.53 mi	Points: 166	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

HCT001

Location: 44.481152, -123.909023
The Forest Service road ends abruptly at four huge boulders. There are no facilities at this remote trailhead. Hike southwest on the old logging road.

HCT002

Location: 44.474522, -123.916726
Turn left off the logging road onto a narrow footpath. The trail heads into a mystical old-growth forest.

HCT003

Location: 44.470728, -123.915348
Before the trail begins descending toward the creek, look west through the trees for brief peeks at the Pacific Ocean. It's about 8 miles (as the crow flies) to the rugged coastline from this lush trail.

HCT004

Location: 44.464768, -123.916833
The trails in this area are well-defined and maintained by the Forest Service: no easy task when it comes to clearing Goliath trees like this one.

HCT005

Location: 44.458642, -123.918647
About a quarter mile after the trail turns downhill you'll turn left at a signed junction onto the new Drift Creek Trail. Up ahead, the trail begins a series of downhill switchbacks.

HCT006

Location: 44.453802, -123.924236
The trail drops quickly on the way to the creek, but masterful trail building makes the descent a breeze. The climb back up is another story.

HCT007

Location: 44.452179, -123.934386
Though this short hike is an easy day trip, there's a sweet campsite near the creek that would make a great overnight stopping point.

HCT008

Location: 44.451750, -123.935437
Find a sandbar or dry rock and rest up for the return climb. During late summer when water levels are low, you could ford this creek and continue hiking on the Harris Ranch Trail.

Skyscraper Sitka

Location: 44.478411, -123.912928
Gorgeous Sitka spruce like this one are a treat on the early sections of the path. © Steve Johnson

Trailside

Location: 44.473803, -123.917241
Trophy trees are around every bend and the entire forest floor is covered with mosses, ferns, and other temperate forest and old-growth understory. © Steve Johnson

The Patriarch

Location: 44.468979, -123.916082
This area hosts some of the coastal region's only remaining old-growth forest and this 10-foot diameter tree is a towering example. © Steve Johnson

Trail Maintenance

Location: 44.464768, -123.916576
Time to spare? Spend a few minutes counting growth rings on this ancient log. © Steve Johnson

Trail Maintenance

Hiking

Location: 44.454614, -123.924751
Towering trees still allow sunlight to penetrate the forest floor in some areas. © Steve Johnson

Drift Creek

Location: 44.451765, -123.935298
Cool flowing water in Drift Creek allows for a mid-hike cool down. Look for sandy and rocky banks to explore. © Steve Johnson