EDITOR’s NOTE: A collaborative project between Tillamook County Wellness, the U.S. Forest Service/Hebo Ranger Station and Tillamook Coast Visitors Association has produced an interactive, live map of all types of outdoor recreation assets to provide better access and information. Be sure to check out the Pioneer’s local hiking enthusiast, “Outback with Backman” as he checks out this new option for…
Category: Tillamook County Hikes
TILLAMOOK COUNTY WELLNESS: Celebrate National Trails Day Every Day with Local Favorites in Tillamook County
Tillamook County is home to an abundance of beautiful hikes, beaches, and rivers – and with summer just around the corner, you may be looking for some inspiration on where to start. In honor of National Trails Day coming up on the first Saturday of June, we asked community members what they loved about the trails across Tillamook County: “My…
TILLAMOOK COUNTY WELLNESS: How A Map Brought A Community Together
by Samantha Goodwin, Northwest Youth Corps GIS Intern In Tillamook County, the problem isn’t finding a place to enjoy the outdoors but rather that there are too many places to choose from. With hundreds of beach access points, dozens of parks and day use areas, over 40 boat launches, and over 200 miles of trails, how do you find the…
Call for Volunteers in the Gorge, Mt. Hood and the North Oregon Coast to serve as Trail Ambassadors
Portland, Ore. – March 18, 2021 – This spring, Trailkeepers of Oregon, the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge Regional Tourism Alliance, the U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon State Parks are kicking off another season of the Trail Ambassador Program to equip Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Mt. Hood visitors with information they need for a safe, informed,…
OUTBACK WITH BACKMAN: Sitka Sedge – a wintertime hike well worth doing
By Don Backman Sitka Sedge State Natural Area is a relatively new State day-use area located between Sandlake and Whalen Island to the north, and Tierra Del Mar, Cape Kiwanda, and Pacific City to the south. For some reason, I have never hiked it. So, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, I set out to take care of that omission. The…
OUTBACK WITH BACKMAN: Rogers Peak and Blue Lake Loop hike (December 3rd, 2020)
By Don Backman My hiking buddy is into peak bagging, a fun sport that involves climbing to the top of the tallest hill around just so you can say you did it. I’m not a big fan of peak bagging, but it is fun as long as it doesn’t involve even “funner” things like cliff climbing, or swimming through wet…
OUTBACK WITH BACKMAN: Wilson River trail, segment Footbridge to Lester Creek, 12/29/2020
Story, Photos & Video by Don Backman “Hey, it looks like it’s going to be nice Monday and Tuesday of next week,” my buddy said over the phone. “We need to go for a hike.” Pause. “Where are we going?” My friend lives in the Valley. I don’t hold that against him — too much. He is an avid, highly…
OUTBACK WITH BACKMAN: Winter hiking on the Oregon Coast. Why would anyone be crazy enough to do this? Some of us are, and here are some tips to help you get started.
By Don Backman This is the first article in a series about hiking. Since it is the off season, and officially winter, it seemed best to start with the obvious question: Why would anyone in their right mind wander around in the hills in the cold wind and rain in Tillamook County? The beach is understandable, but the hills? Isn’t…
Make a paradise where you are
By Victoria Stoppiello Recently a conflict emerged in the town of Manzanita. Owners, wanting to sell two lots on the north side of the community, put up signs forbidding people to use a trail along a sewer easement to walk to the beach. I’ve used that trail countless times. As advice has oscillated between “Stay home” and “Exercise in nature,”…
FIRST DAY HIKES EVENT RETURNS TO STATE PARKS JAN. 1, 2020
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites Oregonians outdoors on New Year’s Day for the annual First Day Hikes event. Visitors can choose from 37 hikes in 31 parks across the state. All hikes will be guided by a park ranger or volunteer who will share stories about the park’s history, geology, wildlife and plants. All hikes are free and…