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Elk Mountain, King's Mountain Loop
4 trails link together to create a brutal loop dayhike in the Oregon Coast Range.
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| Author: | echolynn |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Oregon (OR) |
| Distance: | 10.66 mi |
| Average Speed: | 1.4 mph - 0:42:49/mi |
| Duration: | 7:36:35 |
| Difficulty: | 9 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
Beginning at Elk Creek Campground (closed in winter, adding 0.5 miles to each end of the hike) start with a difficult climb. Ascend 1860 feet in 1.66 miles to the summit of Elk Mountain. But don't stop there! Take in amazing views of the Coast Range, then continue down the backside of Elk losing and regaining hundreds of feet of elevation several times as you cross the traverse to King's Mountain Summit 3 country miles away. Be warned: You will need hands and feet at times to scramble along this trail. Not recommended if there is any ice!
( An Alternate option exists of looping with Elk Creek, for those who find this cross between mountains too much).
Strong knees, heart, and lungs are required on this one; once you reach the summit of Kings, descend 2465 feet over 2.1 miles to the junction with the Wilson River Trail. You can leave a car here for a shuttle, or for those who just haven't had enough - hike another 3.87 miles back to your car along the creek. The first half of this is a pleasant enough stroll, but then you gain another 500 feet of elevation again after the third bridge crossing. Bring plenty of fuel.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
ACTIVE LOG 002
| Distance: 1.66 mi | Points: 108 | |
| Total Time: 2:00:48 | Speed: 0.8 mph | Pace: 1:12:47 / mi |
Track
| Distance: 3.03 mi | Points: 191 | |
| Total Time: 2:26:37 | Speed: 1.2 mph | Pace: 48:23 / mi |
Track 001
| Distance: 2.10 mi | Points: 131 | |
| Total Time: 1:22:57 | Speed: 1.5 mph | Pace: 39:32 / mi |
Track 002
| Distance: 3.87 mi | Points: 215 | |
| Total Time: 1:46:13 | Speed: 2.2 mph | Pace: 27:25 / mi |
Points of Interest
Trailhead Elk Creek
Location: 45.607206, -123.46167123-JAN-10 8:33:08AM
Elk climb - pic
Location: 45.614157, -123.481607It's hard work!
Elk climb - pic
Location: 45.616169, -123.483367Mist rising through the mountains
Elk climb pic
Location: 45.616139, -123.483946The road (your starting point) far below
Elk summit - pic
Location: 45.616259, -123.485363Amazing rewards
Summit Elk Mt.
Location: 45.616289, -123.48491223-JAN-10 10:26:14AM
Elk descent - pic
Location: 45.616604, -123.485137A steep drop down the backside
Junction - Sign
Location: 45.620304, -123.48426723-JAN-10 10:56:38AM To continue on to King's Mountain, bear left at this three way junction.
Elk Mt Kings Mt junction pic
Location: 45.620303, -123.484290Road
Location: 45.626186, -123.502663Don't let the "road" fool you -- an old logging trail? The forest has been fast at work reclaiming this so that not even an off road vehicle would have room. But it makes for an awfully nice trail.
Rope
Location: 45.620382, -123.51195623-JAN-10 12:08:52PM Rope to assist in a particularly steep section
Rope - pic
Location: 45.620431, -123.511997Descend with caution
Elk to Kings Mt trail - pic
Location: 45.620394, -123.512029Yes, it IS that steep. A lot.
Kings mt ascent
Location: 45.616754, -123.514454switchbacks
Summit King's Mt.
Location: 45.614548, -123.5139663225 ft
Summit Kings Mt - pic
Location: 45.614563, -123.514046Kings Mt descent - pic
Location: 45.614450, -123.514100Begin a steep descent, and head into dense Oregon forest.
Junction Kings Mt Trailhead
Location: 45.598719, -123.507291Bear left at this three way junction to continue on the river trail, or continue straight to reach the Kings Mountain trailhead parking lot.
Bridge
Location: 45.598868, -123.507400Oregon Henge
Location: 45.601455, -123.504218A ring of stones placed for unknown reasons
Oregon Henge - pic
Location: 45.601406, -123.504165Bridge 2
Location: 45.601218, -123.502100The marsh drains over a sinkhole into a creekbed again
Crossing - pic
Location: 45.601199, -123.502094Bridge 3
Location: 45.608446, -123.494557State Park
Last bridge - pic
Location: 45.608439, -123.494530Related Trips
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