Take a Hike
The weather had been dreary and wet, dark and windy, as is typical in the late winter on the Tillamook Coast. My family was itching for some outdoor action. Although the conditions weren’t ideal for scaling a cliff or hiking a steep trail, they were perfect for a local spot that still seems like hidden treasure on the Tillamook Coast: Kilchis Point Reserve in Bay City.
A Hidden Escape
Many visitors to the Tillamook Coast might opt for adventure in Pacific City or shopping and family-friendly fun in Rockaway Beach and will overlook the little town of Bay City on their way to other escapades. I think that is what makes Kilchis Point Reserve so special, though. A network of accessible, flat, relatively short trails that take you through dense forest and end with sweeping views, all hidden in plain sight.
Starting Out
There are two parking areas (front and back) with bathrooms located at the front lot. We parked in the back lot and signed in at the trailhead. Many people overlook the little clipboard hanging at the trailhead but please don’t! This clipboard tracks visitor information, including party size (doggie companions included) and hometown, and is vital for tracking statistics and “proving their worth” to the forces that be. This information can be used for funding and grants, and it’s fun to look at the list to see how far people have traveled to take a walk at this special place.
Kilchis Point Reserve is stewarded by the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum — a likely partnership due to the history of the land. This site was one of the largest permanent Native American villages on the North Oregon coast, and also home to Tillamook County’s first white settler Joe Champion. Have you heard of the Morning Star? The boat that was built to carry cheese products from Tillamook to the Portland area? That ship was built right here, where the forest meets the bay. A walk through these trees and on this soil is truly a walk through significant stories of our past.
The Stories We Tell
Since the site carries so much cultural significance, The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum set up the trails as interpretive trails. Each trail has a different focus, from floral and fauna, to Native American history, and pioneer history. It’s pretty easy to do the entire trail system to view each and every interpretive sign scattered among the two mile loop.
Trail Conditions
The first loop you come to (Trailhead Loop, .33 miles) is fully paved and accessible. Set among native plants and towering trees, it’s a marvel how quickly you are transported to a new land, a wonder of rich greens, damp soil, and hidden treasure. The rest of the trails consist mostly of packed gravel and dirt and stay relatively flat for the duration of the hike. Jogging strollers should have no trouble navigating, but if you are in need of more assistance, you can request a ride out to the Caitlin Heusser Bird Watching Station on a golf cart! Rides are subject to the availability of the drivers (the caretakers who live on site) and you need to make preparations a few weeks in advance with the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum (503-842-4553.) It’s a great service and highlights the museum’s commitment to making the trails accessible to all.
The Hike Out
No offense to the trail itself, but I use the work “hike” loosely. These trails are perfectly suited for a relaxed stroll through the forest, a meditative meander to a highly sought-after view. There are multiple boardwalks to explore, some over thick wetlands teeming with skunk cabbage, others over roiling streams. The trail instills confidence in my children (and myself) and I am content to let them run ahead within earshot. It’s peaceful. Quiet. We pass no one. I chat with my husband about scenes from the past and my hope for the future, the easy pace lending itself to carefree conversation.
Birds are active at all times of the day, but I tend to get the best encounters early morning or late afternoon. The Sparrows are quickly hopping into the brush alongside the trail, the Kinglets and Warblers swiftly flying from branch to branch. Just close your eyes and listen deeply to their song, the stories they tell. They are woven into the history of this site as well, their birdsong the soundtrack of this special place for centuries, ages, eons.
Greeting the Bay
The trip to the Tillamook Bay is pretty straightforward, with maps stationed at every trail junction. On this day, we made it to the water in less than 30 minutes. We were greeted at the bay by the ringing calls of Greater Yellowlegs foraging in the mud flats, a Bald Eagle heard off in the distance. The water was calm, and my children searched for the flattest rock they could find, attempting to beat their father’s rock skipping record of 14 (they did not.)
Shifting Surroundings
Depending on the tide, the water can be either right at the edge where the forest opens up, or hundreds of yards out in the distance. Each time I visit, I notice something new. A collection of shore crabs huddled under a rock. An assembly of fallen trees, brought in from a recent storm. Upwards of 25 Great Egrets, perched in a pine, stark white against the dark green needles of the tree.
The bay is ever-changing, one of the most transformative landscapes you can find on the Tillamook Coast. It invites you to come close, to visit often, to experience it through the hours and the seasons, grateful to be in tune with the cadence of nature and the rhythm of the land.
The Trek Back
Having had our fill of the view, we headed back to the parking lot the same way we came. It’s pouring now, but that only adds to the mystery of the woods around us. There is something soft and hushed about the rain making its way to the forest floor, gently guided down by the canopy above us.
We arrive at our car, shoes muddy and pants damp, but invigorated by the journey. While this hike might not be technical, long, or challenging, it fills a very different need in our hearts and minds. A soothing opportunity to step into a place of the past, a chance to be present in the magic all around us, and a moment to wonder and hope for what’s to come.
Hike Rating
Total Hike Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: 1/10
Family-Friendly: 10/10
The Payoff: 6/10
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Categories: Hiking, Outdoor Activities, Tillamook Coast
