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 Coos Regional Trails Partnership, the Bay Area Hospital, and the Women's Health Coalition.

WhatWhereWhen

Cherry Creek Old Growth

July 12th

Who says there are no big trees left in the forest?  This trail was originally developed by the resident Roosevelt Elk and moves through dense forest and fallen trees with some steep ups and downs.   Reg Pullen will lead us on a 2.5 mile moderate to difficult trip (out and back) to this very special place to see what a real old growth forest looks like.

Don Luce will lead a small group off-trail to the creek and back from the midway point of the first hike.  We will wind down through Indian Pipe flats to the creek.  The alternative off-trail hike is extremely difficult and for safety reasons will be limited to 8 people. Don says, “You will need to be part Elk to do this one.”  “If you have any doubts you should rule this one out.” 

Bring lunch and water, dress in layers, long sleeves and pants and wear sturdy waterproof boots.  

Call Don Luce to register for the extra off-trail hike—266-8201 

Driving Directions:

We will caravan from the Coquille Visitor Center at 9:15am.

To get to the Coquille Visitor Center take Hwy 42 into Coquille and turn on Birch St.  It is right next to the Library.  

Carpool Sites and departure times:             Bay Area Visitor Center—8:35,   Rays in Bandon—8:35,   Coquille Visitor Center—9:15,   Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—7:50

9:15 am
Saturday
July 12th
* We will Caravan from the Coquille Visitor Center

Blossom Gulch Nature Trail

Work Party

What we plan to do:  We need people to help clear and repair the Blossom Gulch Nature Trail. 

We will clear the fallen trees from the trail, stabilize the trail, pick up litter, clear brush, sweep the boardwalk, repair boardwalk rail, repair roof of gazebo, sand and repaint bench, paint support post of gazebo and remove graffiti from signs. 

Paint, lumber and roofing materials have been donated by local businesses.

We will however need people to bring the following tools and supplies:

A couple of sturdy ladders, hammers, shovels, hand pruners, loppers, paint brushes, plastic drop cloths, sand paper, brooms, a few stiff bristle scrub brushes or non-scratch scrub sponges.  We will need a few people with chest waders to help clean out the marsh area.   We could really use someone with a little roof repair experience.

I need to know if you are coming and what tools and materials you can bring.

  Call Don Luce at 266-8201 or email  southcoaststriders@gmail.com

Blossom Gulch Elementary

 333 S. 10th St in Coos Bay. 

Driving Direction: On S 10th Street between Elrod and Anderson.  

Saturday
July 19th
8:00am to noon

South Slough Reserve

July 26th

Joy Tally the Education Program Specialist for the South Slough Reserve will lead hikers on a moderate 3.5 mile exploration of this beautiful estuarine reserve and show us some of the things that make this place so special.   This first hike should take from 2 to 2.5 hours.     

Following Joy’s hike and a break to eat a little lunch, Don Luce will offer an additional 3 mile trip to preview the nearly completed “North Trail”.  A lot of hard work has gone into the development of this new trail and it really shows. The additional hike should take another 1.5 hours and is rated moderate overall as well.   

Driving Directions:

From Highway 101 in Coos Bay, follow signs to Charleston/State Parks/Ocean Beaches. Cross bridge into Charleston and continue through town.  Turn left on Seven Devils Road and continue 4.6 miles, turn left into South Slough Reserve.

From Highway 101 coming from Bandon, Coquille or Port Orford:   8.7 miles north of Bandon turn on W Beaver Hill Rd.      -           6.1 miles keep right on Seven Devils Rd.   -      2  miles turn right into South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Carpool Sites and departure times:             Bay Area Visitor Center—9:15,    Rays in Bandon—9:15,    Coquille Visitor Center—9:10,    Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—8:25
10:00 am Saturday
July 26th

Click on the links to see the full schedule of upcoming hikes:
South Coast Striders 2008 Schedule of Healthy Hikes

Hike schedules from our fellow hikers in Curry County:  Sole Pursuits 2008 Schedule   Muscle Busters 2008 Schedule

Cape Blanco Photos

Castle Rock

 

Castle Rock Beach.

     Lupine on Cape Blanco HillsidesClams in the rock

 

Lupine blooming on the Cape Blanco hillsides.                                                  Clam fossils in sandstone.  

Climbing up from Castle Rock beach.

 

 

Climbing up the Oregon Coast Trail from Castle Rock Beach.

Striders in the Meadow at Euphoria Ridge

 

 

Long Hikers feeling the wind at their backs.

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