Читать книгу Afoot and Afield: Portland/Vancouver. A Comprehensive Hiking Guide онлайн

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To do this hike as a one-way trip, it is better to begin from Elk Creek, as that involves a total elevation loss of about 400 feet. As part of the Kings and Elk mountains loop trip, however, it is more likely that you will do this trail from the Kings Mountain end, so that is the way it is described here.

DIRECTIONS Drive west on State Highway 6 toward Tillamook. Near milepost 25, look for the brown sign with the hiker on it and the parking lot for the Kings Mountain Trailhead on the right. For the upper trailhead at Elk Creek, turn north off Highway 6 near milepost 28 and drive the gravel access road to Elk Creek Campground for 0.3 mile to its end just beyond a bridge over Elk Creek.

The Kings Mountain Trail begins in a lush forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and red alder most of whose branches are covered with hanging mosses. Just 0.1 mile from the start is a junction. The Kings Mountain Trail veers off to the left, while the Wilson River Trail goes to the right.

The trail almost immediately hops over a small creek and then begins the gentle ascent that will dominate the entire route. An abundance of vine maple in the understory makes this section particularly attractive in mid- to late October. The path goes around the south side of a small pond and marshy area and then crosses the outlet creek for the marsh.