Access: From Charleston, head west on Cape Arago Highway and in 0.1 miles turn south on Seven Devils Road. Drive 4.5 miles following signs to South Slough Interpretive Center and continue about 1 mile turning left on Hinch Road, the second access to the slough. Follow Hinch Road 0.8 mile to a road to the right (south) marked by a sign with binoculars. Turn right here and continue to the parking area. Setting and Attractions: Song birds, birds of pray, elk and deer are evidence of the wonderful variety of habitats in the area. In 1866 George Wasson, a successful black sand miner, married the daughter of local Indian Chief. Together they began their homestead along Wasson Creek. The land was granted as restitution for his wife’s, Mary, earlier removal to a reservation near Yachats. Trail description: The trail begins at a freshwater wetland and continues across the valley and returns through an upland forest of Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock. Crossing the Wasson Creek is a great place to look for signs of beaver which like the red alder, salmonberry, sword fern, sedges, and skunk cabbage. The trail ends on a gravel road which continues back to the parking lot with Winchester Creek drainage in the distance. For more information, trail conditions and maps contact: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) at (541) 888-5558 or visit their website at www.southsloughestuary.org |
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