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:
| What | Where | When |
South Coast Striders Annual Picnic & Eel Lake Hike We will talk about hikes we would like to plan for next year at the picnic. Ruth Romoser and Bob Golden will lead us on this beautiful and fairly level trail which runs around the south edge of the lake for 3 miles. Hikers can explore the lakes many inlets and maybe catch a glimpse of osprey, crane, eagle, deer and other forest creatures as you walk through forests of spruce, cedar, fir, and alder. Hikers have an option to make this either a 4 mile or 6 mile hike. We have reserved the Pavilion for the day, so rain or shine we will have a covered area to grill and picnic. There are power outlets, so we can have a little music and there will be a laptop to view past hike photos with. If you plan to stay for the picnic bring something to drink and a picnic lunch. I plan to fire up a grill, so if you want to cook something there will be room on the grill. If you have a little firewood to spare let me know - it will save me from going out to buy some. Bring lawn chairs if you have them so we can congregate a little better. If you are into paddling - Eel Lake is a very nice flat water paddle. You might want to follow your hike and picnic with a relaxing paddle around the lake. Or maybe some horse shoes or croquet. | We will meet in the Covered Pavilion in the Day Use Area at Tugman State Park Driving Directions: From the Visitor Center in downtown Coos Bay drive 18 miles N. on Hwy 101 to Tugman State Park on your right. Turn in and follow the signs to the day use area at Eel Lake.
Suggested Carpool sites and departure times: Reedsport Visitor Center—9: 30, Coos Bay Visitor Center—9:20, Ray’s in Bandon—8:55, Coquille Visitor Center—8:55. Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—8:00. | Saturday July 10th 10:00am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
Join archaeologist and historian, Reg Pullen for a 4 mile walking tour of Bandon. Reg will share all the local lore and colorful history of Bandon while touring various historical points of interest. The total hike is 4 miles, rated moderate to difficult with some sand walking involved and should last 2.5 to 3 hours. The first part of the walk will take place in “Old Town Bandon” and if you aren’t up for the longer beach walk you can end your walk there.
| Meet in Public Parking on East Side of Hwy 101 across from “The Station” restaurant. Driving Directions: At the site of the Old Cheese Factory. On the East side of Hwy 101 between the 1st and 2nd traffic lights - Across the highway from “The Station” restaurant. Suggested Carpool sites and departure times: Coos Bay Visitor Center 9:15, Coquille Visitor Center 9:15, Dune Information Center in Reedsport 8:20, Battle Rock Park Visitor Center in Port Orford 9:05 | Saturday July 24th 10:00am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
Oregon Coast Trail - Sunset Bay to Shore Acres & Beyond August 14th Let’s walk this beautiful trail in the warm summer sunshine for a change. The trail travels in and out of the woods along the coast and treats you to many beautiful views from atop the rugged sandstone cliffs. Participants can return from Simpson Beach for a 4 mile round trip or continue on at a brisker pace to Arago Point for a total distance of 9 miles. The short hike should last 2 hours. The long hike will take 4.5 hours and participants should pack a lunch. Dress for the weather and don’t forget to bring water | Meet up near the group shelter on your right across the main road from the Sunset Bay State Park campground. Driving Directions: From Hwy 101 in downtown Coos Bay follow the signs 12.3 miles through Charleston to Sunset Bay State Park. Suggested Carpool sites and departure times: Bay Area Visitor Center—9:20, Coquille Visitor Center—8:45, Ray’s in Bandon—8:45, Dune Information Center in Reedsport—8:40 | Saturday Aug 14th 10:00am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
Two hikes will be offered. Join Reg Pullen for this rugged 8.5 mile journey from Floras Lake to Blacklock Point along beaches, densely wooded trails and exposed rocky points with beautiful ocean views. This hike is rated difficult to most difficult. There will also be a shorter 4 mile hike which will take us 2 miles south along the beach to a point just north of Blacklock Point then back along a nice wooded trail. This hike is rated moderate. Dress in layers, windbreaker with a hood is recommended. Bring water and something to eat. | Meet at the Boice-Cope County Park’s parking lot next to Floras Lake Directions: From Bandon or Coos Bay, travel south on Hwy. 101 to Langlois. Go 1/2 mile past Langlois and turn right (west) on Floras Lake Loop Road. Follow the signs 3 miles to Floras Lake and Boice- Cope County Park. Suggested Carpool Sites and departure times: Bay Area Visitor Center—8:40, Coquille Visitor Center—8:40, Ray’s in Bandon—9:15, Battle Rock Park Visitor Center—9:15 | Saturday Aug 28th 10:00am *always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for sign in and hike introduction. |
View the full schedule here: South Coast Striders 2010 Schedule of Healthy Hikes Open printable version of Striders 2010 Schedule Link to Curry County Hospital's Sole Pursuits Schedule Hikes from our fellow hikers in Curry County & N. California: Muscle Busters, Sole Pursuit & Others 2010 Hikes | ||
South Coast Strider Hike Photos
 |
| Hanging Rock / Panther Ridge Prehike and Hike Photos 2010 |
 |
| Coquille Walking Routes |
 |
| Bandon Historical Hike |
 |
| Cherry Creek & China Wall |
 |
| Hanging Rock Photos 2009 |
 |
| Euphoria Ridge 2009 |
 |
| Rocky Peak 2009 |
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
| get a search engine optimization quote |