Hiking for Health
with the
South Coast Striders
The South Coast Striders is a hiking group which plans and delivers free hikes in cooperation with the Bay Area Hospital, and the Coos County Women's Health Coalition. We are just a bunch of hikers who hike regularly and welcome others to come along.
For information or to receive notification of upcoming hikes - send email to Don Luce at southcoaststriders@gmail.com
Not everyone is ready for the physical demands of Hiking.
We suggest that everyone consult their physician before beginning a new exercise regimen.
The American Heart Association offers the following questions as general guidelines for people who are considering starting or increasing their level of exercise. - Click Here
You may need to build up your physical stamina before attempting our hikes.
The Coos County Women's Health Coalition offers the following guides for starting and building a Healthy Walking Habit:
Bandon Coos Bay Coquille North Bend
South Coast Striders 2012 Schedule of Healthy Hikes
Open printable version of Striders 2012 Schedule
New Participants Guide to Hiking with the South Coast Striders
Link to Curry County Hospital's Sole Pursuits Schedule
Hikes from our fellow hikers in Curry County & N. California: Muscle Busters, Sole Pursuit & Others 2012 Hikes
| What | Where | When |
& N. Fork Smith River "Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. Our first hike is to Kentucky Falls and back. Kentucky Falls area offers views of 3 waterfalls two of which drop over 100 feet. This hike is 2 miles down to falls then 2 miles back on switchback trail. It is rated moderate to difficult. Plan on 3.5 hours to complete the hike with plenty of time to relax, eat lunch and enjoy the falls. The falls should really be roaring this time of year. For those who want a more challenging hike join Kim Griffin and Dave Gray as they continue another 6.5 miles down along the N. Fork Smith River trail. The trail winds back and forth over several rustic bridges through old growth forest of Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Western Red Cedar and Big Leaf Maples. Expect to see spawning salmon “reds” in the stream. This hike is rated most difficult and participants should plan on 6 hours for the total 9 miles of hiking. Bring lunch and water and raingear, dress in layers, and wear sturdy waterproof boots. | We will caravan from the Dune Information Center in Reedsport Directions: From Coos Bay Visitor Center in downtown Coos Bay travel 26.6 miles N on Hwy 101. Visitor center is on left directly opposite the turnoff for Hwy 38. We will leave from the Dune Information Center at 8:00 and reach the Kentucky Falls trail head at 9:30. Some gravel roads and deep pot holes are on our route but we will go easy. Suggested carpool sites & departure times: Reedsport Visitor Center - 7:30, Bay Area Visitor Center—6:45, Rays in Bandon—6:10, Coquille Visitor Center—6:10, Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—5:20 | Sunday Dec 18th 7:30am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
"Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. Explore some of the many paths and trails commonly used by the folks in North Bend along with the recently completed Sawmill & Tribal Trail. You can join local authors and historians Dick and Judy Wagner on an easy to moderate 2 mile loop under the McCullough Bridge and through the woods to Ferry Park then along Bayview Ave and back up into town before returning to the Coos Historical and Maritime Museum. This hike should last about 2 hours. OR Take a 5 mile loop at a little faster pace on the North Bend loop portion of the new Sawmill & Tribal Trail. This walk will head out along the Sawmill & Tribal Trail to post #12 on Pony Creek Rd then up the stairs at Lombard and along McPherson to the North Bend Boardwalk then on to Ferry Road Park before returning to the Coos Historical and Maritime Museum. This hike is rated difficult and should last 3—3.5 hours We will stop for a half hour lunch/snack break at Ferry Road Park. | We will meet in the parking lot of the Coos Historical and Maritime Museum. Directions: The North Bend Visitor Center is just off Hwy 101 on the N end of town next to the Historical Museum and Simpson Park. Suggested carpool sites & departure times: Coos Bay Visitor Center—9:20, Coquille Visitor Center—9:00, Ray’s in Bandon—9:00, Dune Information Center in Reedsport—9:00 | Saturday Jan 28th 9:45am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
"Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. We will learn a little about the colorful mining history of the area and do a little tidepooling and rock hounding along the way. This is a popular beach for agate and petrified wood hunting. You can take an easy 2.4 mile hike out to Fivemile Point and back or continue onto Whisky Run Beach and back to Seven Devil’s Wayside on the Oregon Coast Trail alternative route for a 4.6 mile round trip hike rated moderate. * A windbreaker with a hood and hiking sticks are recommended. The weather can change rapidly so dress in layers and come prepared for rain and/or foggy conditions. | We will meet at the Seven Devil's Wayside Park. Driving Directions: From Hwy 101 between Coos Bay and Bandon: go W on W. Beaver Hill - go 1.7 m. then left on W.Humphrey - go 2.6 then right on Seven Devil's Rd. - Wayside is 1.6 miles on left. From Charleston, OR: Go South on Seven Devil’s Rd 6.1 miles. At intersection with W. Beaver Hill Rd continue on gravel portion of Seven Devil’s Rd for 4.2 miles to Wayside entrance on your right. Suggested Carpool sites and Departure Times: Coos Bay Visitor Center—8:05, Dune Information Center in Reedsport 7:25, Rays in Bandon—8:20, Coquille Visitor Center—8:05, Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—7:45 | Saturday Feb 25th 9:00am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
"Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. Saturday - March 31st This 2.8 mile roundtrip hike climbs a switchback trail through old growth forest of Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple and Oregon Myrtle trees up past two beautiful waterfalls both of which are over 100 ft. Early spring is the best time to see lot’s of the early wildflower varieties like the Chocolate Lily. The Falls should be at peak flow. For those wanting a longer hike we will be continuing another 1.7 miles beyond the falls for a 6.2 mile total trip. We will visit an old homestead site and then hike along Frog Creek where we will stop for lunch. So pack a lunch and plan to sit back above the falls and drink it all in. There are pit toilets and picnic tables next to the parking area at the beginning of the hike. | We will meet at the Golden and Silver Falls trailhead. Driving Directions: From the Coos Bay Visitor Center take Hwy 101 south. Turn left on Newport Ave/ Coos River Hwy. Continue for .5 mile - cross the bridge then bear 90 degrees left onto 6th Ave/Coos River Hwy. The road will make another 90 degree turn to the right and you will pass the Coach House Restaurant on your right shortly after that. Continue for .5 mile and turn right onto D Street/Coos River Hwy at the stop sign. You are following the signs to Allegany. Continue .8 mile and bear left across the bridge onto S. Coos River Hwy. Continue 1.5 mile then turn left on East Fork Millicoma Rd. and cross bridge. After bridge turn right and continue on East fork Millicoma Rd. for 19 miles through the town of Allegany before turning left onto gravel Glen Creek Rd. Continue on Glen Creek Rd for 3 miles to parking area. Suggested Carpool sites and departure times: Coos Bay Visitor Center—8:50, Coquille Visitor Center—8:20, Ray’s in Bandon—8:10, Dunes Information Center in Reedsport—8:00, Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—7:30. | Saturday March 31st 10am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
"Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. Sunday - April 15th The Sweet Creek/Beaver Creek area offers hikers a smorgasbord mountain stream and waterfalls experience. There will be 4 different hikes all of which are out and back on the same trail and rated moderate. The first will be a 1/2 mile trip to view Beaver Creek Falls. The second will be a 1.2 mile hike to a different viewpoint of Beaver Creek Falls. The third hike will be 1.6 miles to Sweet Creek Falls. The final and best hike of the day will be a 1.6 mile hike along Sweet Creek on a trail that meanders along the water and actually travels right over the creek on a railed catwalks that is bolted to the side of the canyon. All together you will hike 4.9 miles for the day. If you want to take it a little easier you can cut out the third hike and take a break while the rest of the group goes on this section. Since the hikes are all “out and back” you can cut any of the hikes short and return to the parking area if you are getting tired. Plan on 4 hours for all the hikes—starting for home around 2pm.
| We will meet and caravan from the Dune Information Center in Reedsport Directions: From Coos Bay Visitor Center in downtown Coos Bay travel 26.6 miles N on Hwy 101. Visitor center is on left directly opposite the turnoff for Hwy 38. We will leave from the Dune Information Center at 8:00 and reach the Sweet Creek Falls trail head at 9:30. Some gravel roads and deep pot holes are on our route but we will go easy. Suggested carpool sites & departure times: Reedsport Visitor Center - 8:00, Public Parking north of Coos Bay Visitor Center—7:10, Rays in Bandon—6:40, Coquille Visitor Center—6:40, Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—5:50 | Sunday April 15th 8:00am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
"Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. Saturday - May 12th Registration for the event starts at 9:00am next to the stage at Mingus Park. At 9:30am there will be a speaker (TBA) related to Women's Health. At 10:00am - Let's Move !!! Participants can choose from several walk options or join in a warm up aerobics session. There will be music and a DJ at the park so you can get your walking groove on. There will be dozens of booths set up around the paved track at Mingus park offering participants the latest information on the care and prevention of health care issues affecting women. There will even be a Zumba demonstration. You can take some trips around the 1/2 mile track while perusing the various exhibits or you can take off on a 1.5 mile hike on Mingus Park trails (rated moderate) . The more you walk - the more tickets you earn for the prize drawing. At 11:15 - we will all meet back at the stage area for closing comments and a drawing for lots of prizes. 11:30 to 12:30 - Lunch on your own 12:30 - 3:00pm - 6.5 Mile Coos Bay Walking Trails Tour We will form two different pace groups - 2 & 3 mph and make a big loop around town that will encompass the Blossom Gulch Nature Trail - up around Telegraph Hill - then over to the Bay Area Hospital Fitness Trail before returning to Mingus Park. This is a pretty tough 6 mile walk if you do the whole thing, but participants have the option to stop at various points making it a 1.5, 2.7, 4 or 6 mile walk. Rain or Shine - It is going to be fun.
| Participants need to register next to the stage area at Mingus Park in Coos Bay between 9:00 and 9:30 am. We expect a big turnout, so please consider carpooling to reduce congestion at the park. Suggested Carpool Sites and Departure Times:Public Parking near Coos Bay Visitor Center - 8:50am, North Bend Visitor Center - 8:45am, Ray's Grocery in Bandon - 8:25am, Coquille Information Center - 8:25am, Reedsport Information Center - 8:15am, Battle Rock Park - 7:45am Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—7:30. | Saturday May 12th 9:00am to 3:00pm *Registration takes place between 9:00 and 9:30 next to the stage at Mingus Park. |
"Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. Saturday - May 19th Don Ivy, cultural resources program coordinator for the Coquille Tribe will lead us on a hike through a beautiful rocky meadow and give us some insight into how native people lived and interacted with the land and its resources and how they are managing those resources to support traditional uses. Don is going to change things a bit this year and take us into some additional areas, so the hike will be a bit longer. Hike is a moderate 4 miles but there are some steep climbs. Plan on 3 to 3.5 hours. * This hike leaves the Bridge Country Store at 9:30 and is limited to 30 people. Email Don Luce at southcoaststriders@gmail.com to reserve your spot. __________________________ * We leave the Bridge Store at 9:00 sharp in order to set up the shuttle and leave ahead of the next group. Plan on 4 hours. Dress for the weather and for walking through tall wet grass. Don’t forget water, it can get hot.
| We will meet and caravan from the Bridge Country Store. Long hike leaves at 9am and Don Ivy's hike leaves at 9:30am. Driving Directions: From Myrtle Point, head east on Hwy 42. Go approximately 9 mi., turn right into parking lot of the Bridge Country Store. Reg Pullen’s group will leave here at 9:00am. Don Ivy’s group at 9:30am.
| Saturday May 19th 9:00 & 9:30am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
"Help us spread the word by posting flyers in your town. Saturday - May 26th The Tough Hike Reg Pullen will lead us on an exploration of this little known area of high rocky ridgeline habitat with views that reach from the Pacific Ocean to the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. This 2.3 mile section of the old Asa Carey trail (circa.1870) climbs 1300 feet to a rocky outcropping at 3029 feet. 4.6 mile round trip. The full hike up to Rocky Peak has some very steep grades and is rated most difficult. The Slightly Less Difficult Hike You will have the option to cover the first moderate to difficult portion of the Rocky Peak trail for some nice views and some interesting flora. We will stop at an overlook for lunch. You can rest or do a little exploring in some of the nearby meadows and wooded areas and then we follow our new and "Kinder" path that the local deer were taking back up to the road before returning to the trailhead for a total of 3 miles. You can thank Dave Gray for the kinder trail. Dress in layers, bring plenty of water and lunch.
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We will caravan to the trailhead from the Battle Rock Park Visitor Center in Port Orford at 9:30am Directions: We will leave from the Coos Bay Visitor Center at 8:00am or travel S on Hwy101 - 51 miles to the Battle Rock Park Visitor Center in Port Orford where we will leave to caravan to the trail at 9:30 sharp. Suggested Carpool Sites & departure times: Bay Area Visitor Center—8:00, Rays in Bandon—8:35, Coquille Visitor Center—8:05, Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—9:30 | Saturday May 26th 9:30am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
South Coast Strider's Hike Photos
Just click on any of the thumbnail links below.
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| Millicoma Marsh 2011 Cape Mountain Trails 2011 Iron Mountain & Big Tree Trails 2011 |
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| Bandon Historical Hike 2009 Hanging Rock & Panther Ridge 2009 Euphoria Ridge 2009 |
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| Cherry Creek & China Wall 2010 Sweet Creek & Beaver Creek Falls 2011 Rocky Peak 2009 |
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| Siltcoos Lake & Waxmyrtle Trails South Slough North Creek Trail Hanging Rock Pre-Hike May 24 2010 |
Read hike descriptions by clicking on the links below:
Coos Bay Waterfront 2005 | North Spit 2005 | Sunset Bay 2006 | Seven Devils 2006
Millicoma Marsh 2006 | Oregon Coast Trail 2008 | North Spit Shipwrecks 2008 | Eel Lake 2008
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