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A trail through old-growth forests and meadows with some ocean views.


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Map Key

3.4

Miles

5.5

KM

89%

Runnable

1,266' 386 m

High

623' 190 m

Low

365' 111 m

Up

794' 242 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

The roads to the Dry Lake Trailhead are open all year.

Need to Know

The 17 miles of trails around Cape Mountain were designed to be shared by horses and runners. Thus, for foot traffic, these trails are wide, gently-graded, brush free, and easy to follow. There are trail maps at the major trail junctions (these are set high so someone on a horse can read them—runners may have to stretch to read them). Just remember to practice good trail etiquette and yield the trail to horses.

Description

This trail starts on the south side of the Dry Lake Trailhead and climbs gently through a tall forest for 0.5 miles to its high point on the south side of Cape Mountain. From there, the trail descends gradually down the length of Nelson Ridge through open meadows and past several examples of huge old-growth trees. There are a few points along the ridge where there are views south toward the Oregon Dunes and west to Baker Beach. You may see elk or black bears grazing in these meadows.

At about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, the trail drops east off the ridge and makes a leisurely descent, and easy crossing of upper Berry Creek, to end at a junction with the Berry Creek Trail #1329.8 and the Wapiti Trail #1329.9.

Flora & Fauna

This trail passes through the rich and varied vegetation of Oregon's coastal forests.

Contacts

Shared By:

BK Hope

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#30275

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#996

in Oregon

#30,275

Overall
2 Views Last Month
376 Since May 19, 2019
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Dry Lake
May 19, 2019 near Florence, OR
A view of Baker Beach from Nelson Ridge.
May 19, 2019 near Florence, OR
Old-growth on Nelson Ridge
May 19, 2019 near Florence, OR
One of the meadows on Nelson Ridge.
May 19, 2019 near Florence, OR
On the east side of Nelson Ridge.
May 19, 2019 near Florence, OR
Crossing upper Berry Creek
May 19, 2019 near Florence, OR

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