7.1 hr
Overview
Gales Creek was the origin of the first two Tillamook Burns of 1933 and 1939, both initiated during summer logging operations. The burns (there were two more major burns in 1945 and 1951) have defined the current ecology of this part of the Coast Range, with nitrogen-fixing alders seeding naturally on the slopes and millions of conifers, mainly Douglas-firs, being hand-planted. Other natural events have taken place since. The central portion of the Gales Creek Trail, in the heart of the Tillamook Burn, was closed for five years between the Winter of 2007-08 and Summer 2012 so that the part of the trail that ran along the east bank of the creek could be rerouted to the west bank. Numerous slides and washouts in the 07-08 winter necessitated three miles of new trail and, during construction, a trail worker was killed by a tumbling boulder after dynamiting a rock face, thus prolonging the project. Nowadays, hikers can enjoy a gradually ascending walk in and out of small gullies as they follow the course of Gales Creek almost to its source. After crossing Gales Creek, the trail ascends to Bell Camp Road and then drops to reach Reehers Camp (described in the North Gales Creek Trail Hike ).
Trail Stats
21.9 km
622 m
768 m
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Photos
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