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TRIP 10 Kings Mountain

Distance		5.5 miles, Out-and-back
Elevation Gain		2800 feet
Hiking Time		3 hours
Optional Map		Tillamook State Forest
Usually Open		Late March to November
Best Time		Mid-May to mid-June
Trail Use		Dogs are allowed, but it’s too rocky and rough for most.
Agency		Forest Grove District, Tillamook State Forest
Difficulty		Difficult

HIGHLIGHTS If you take only one hike in the upper Wilson River drainage, make it the trail up Kings Mountain. The peak is one of the highest in the northern Oregon Coast Range, and the views from the open meadows atop its 3226-foot summit are terrific. On a clear day you can see, not only the extensive green hills of the Coast Range, but also the Pacific Ocean and even distant snow peaks in the Cascades, including Mounts Hood and Jefferson. The advantage of this hike over neighboring Elk Mountain is that while the total elevation gain is greater, the grade, while still steep, is less exhausting and the trail is better maintained. Finally, the flowers are more abundant in the large meadows atop this peak, so you can luxuriate in views and in the smell and color of the blossoms.

DIRECTIONS Drive west from Portland on State Highway 6 toward Tillamook. Near milepost 25, look for the brown sign with a hiking figure on it, and the small trailhead parking lot for the Kings Mountain Trailhead on the right.

Like so many other paths in western Oregon, this trail begins in a lush forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and red alder whose branches are draped with mosses. The forest floor is covered with sword fern and a low carpet of oxalis and candyflower, both of which feature small white flowers in spring. Just 0.1 mile from the start is a junction with the eastbound Wilson River Trail, which forks off to the right (Trip 11). Go left, then, 20 feet later, go right where the westbound Wilson River Trail departs.

From here, the Kings Mountain Trail makes an irregular but usually gentle climb through attractive woods. At first there are small creeks in the gullies on either side of the trail, but afterward the trail is entirely dry. About 1 mile from the trailhead the forest gets drier and the slopes steeper as you begin to tackle the worst of the climb. As with all paths in this area, you will notice blue paint markings on the trees along the route. These aren’t really necessary, as the trail is obvious throughout. The uphill climb is uneventful (and unrelenting) except near the 2000-foot level. There you’ll find two places where the path stays nearly level for a couple hundred yards as it follows sections of very old roads that seem to come from nowhere and end for no apparent reason.

View north from atop Kings Mountain

Fairly steep climbing eventually leads you to a picnic table right beside the trail, just 0.3 mile from the top. You can stop here for a rest, but save your longer lunch break for the very top, where the view is far superior. The final climb to the summit is quite steep in some sections, with loose gravel that can be a little dangerous on the way back down. On the plus side, most of the final 0.2 mile is a joyous route through open meadows that are ablaze with wildflowers in early June.

Very adventurous hikers can continue this hike over the rugged path that connects Kings Mountain with Elk Mountain to the east. For a description of this difficult route, see Trip 12.