By Betty Langdon

Gwynn Creek Trail is about a 2.5-mile hike to the Cook's Ridge Trail junction. Almost immediately the hiker notes that the shore pines of the Oregon Coast Trail disappear as an elevation change of about 1,000 feet starts a steady and relentless ascent.

The beginning of the trail is fairly treeless which allows sunlight to penetrate. In this environment in early spring more Salmonberry and Western Iris bloom, as well as Fairy Bells, Wood Violet and the ever-present Salal, natures' erosion control.

Fairy bells

Wood Violet

Salal

Later in the season, Thimbleberry, several varieties of Huckleberry, Lupine, Foxglove, Avens, Pearly Everlasting, Self Heal, Bleeding Heart, Starflower, Hedge Nettle, Bedstraw and Wild Cucumber as well as many other wildflowers and shrubs will bloom. If one hikes the trail several times a year something new will be seen and appreciated each time. *

Very soon the hiker is in a habitat of Douglas fir, Vine Maple, Hemlock, Cedar and the ubiquitous Alder. Highway sounds are replaced by the occasional barking of a squirrel, a shy Swainson's Thrush's flute-like song, a Varied Thrush mimicking a coach's whistle, breezes disturbing the trees and the bubbling of the Gwynn Creek on its way to the Pacific.

During the winter the Creek is visible on the right below for about two miles, then the trail veers away from it. In the spring and summer Willows, other trees and underbrush obscure a view of the Creek but it can still be heard. In 2003 a side trail was added to allow one to hike down and get a better look at the Creek.

To the left small waterfalls tumble over slick rocks then through culverts beneath the trail to join the creek. There are plenty of elk trails visible across the trail as the elk make their way to the Creek. After some good fall rains mushrooms such as oyster and chanterelle appear in mossy and shady areas. Caveat: never eat a mushroom unless you know exactly what you are doing.

In early Spring Western Trillium and Siberian Lettuce begin to bloom. Up until about 5 years ago Miner's Lettuce grew in abundance next to the trail and we put its leaves in our sandwiches at lunch, just as we imagined the miners had done many years before. Now, Siberian lettuce has replaced Miner's Lettuce, which is similar yet, very different.

Western Trillium

Siberian Lettuce

The trail's ascent abruptly increases after about two miles and mature thighs and lungs are complaining. We step gingerly over a Banana Slug, debris such as pine needles being dragged behind in its slime, and wonder whatever made us think you could possibly do this. We use a discussion about the Banana Slug being the largest slug in North America, growing up to 10" in length, and the second largest slug in the World, as a ploy to rest for a moment. Then suddenly the trail makes a sharp left and begins to level off as it makes its way to the trailhead sign at the Cook's Ridge/Cummings Creek T-shaped junction.

On the way a Lobster Mushroom, the eerie Indian Pipe and Redwood Sorrel jut out of the pine needles on the edge of the trail.

Lobster Mushroom

Indian Pipe

Redwood sorrel

Mother Nature, or perhaps Man, put some fallen logs at the junction, which is the perfect place to sit, eat lunch and rest. It is tempting to linger over lunch, but too long and muscles stiffen.

The trailhead sign advises that we've hiked four miles, past the halfway point. The hardest part is over and the last leg of the return trip is mostly downhill, which is the reward for the ascent up Gwynn Creek. We can hike left down Cook's Ridge to the Visitors' parking lot, or right down Cummins Creek Trail to its isolated unpaved parking area. Cook's Ridge is our choice as it's shorter and having been advised that a cougar was recently spotted at the Cummins Creek Trailhead parking area, we save that trail for another day.

*Check out the wildflower section for images of these plants.

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