Out Our  Back Door

Canoe & Kayak Guide

UPDATE 2005:

    The year 2005 sees the publication of a new, expanded version of our popular paddling guidebook, now called Oregon South Coast Canoe and Kayak Guide to reflect its expanded coverage. The guidebook takes in all the flatwater paddling opportunities from Florence to Brookings, and includes information on lakes, rivers and the tidal estuaries of Oregon’s spectacular South Coast.
Printing a new edition of the guidebook was frankly a matter of need - we sold out of the first edition but people kept calling, needing a copy! The next step was to revisit all the paddles, in case any information had to be updated.
    We also decided to expand the coverage area to provide a comprehensive guidebook to the entire southern coast of Oregon. This meant more journeys to explore the far-flung waterways - from tiny Pistol River to the mighty Rogue River, and onward to some of the lesser-known but equally-rewarding streams. Figuring out times, distances, put-ins and take-outs was all part of the job.
Actually, we couldn’t have done it without help from some very knowledgeable people, such as Jim Coffee in Gold Beach, who shared what’s he learned from years of paddling in Curry County on the Rogue, Sixes and Elk Rivers, and such smaller gems as Hunter Creek.
The result is the region’s premier paddling guidebook, a tantalizing invitation to explore this often-overlooked corner of the Pacific Northwest.
   Those who want to explore even farther afield will want to take along a copy of Out Our Back Door, Driving Tours and Day-Hikes in Oregon’s Coos Region. Greatly expanded and now in its second edition, this remains the region’s go-to guidebook for visitors and residents alike. Find out about such world-famous attractions as the ocean clifftop gardens at Shore Acres State Park, as well as the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, dozens of unspoiled beaches and state parks, and miles of little-traveled back roads.
    There are, however, updates good and bad. New places to go to . . . and other old favorites to which we’ve had to say goodbye.
First, the good news. There are even more places to explore these days! For example, the trail system at Weyerhaeuser’s North Spit site (described on page 19) has been expanded, with a couple of miles of trails now available.
    South Slough National Estuarine Sanctuary’s North Trail (page 22) is progressing, and there’s an addition to the Wasson Creek Trail; look for it across from the parking area.
   Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: The Umpqua Dunes Trail (page 57) has been renamed the John Dellenback Trail in honor of a state legislator who pushed national protection of the Oregon Dunes.  In nearby William Tugman State Park, the Eel Lake Trail (page 59) continues to be expanded, and a section also now begins on the lake’s northern shoreline. (Go north along the lake’s edge from parking area to find it.)
   In the Powers region, FS 3358 to the Big Cedar Tree (page 134) has been fully reopened so you can drive rig to a day-use area adjacent to the tree, and potentially continue your journey all the way to Eden Valley. Part of the road is still gravel, tho.
   While we’re in that vicinity, let’s transition to the bad news:
   Unfortunately, Snow Camp Fire Lookout Tower on the Chetco Ranger District (page 177) burned down in a summer 2002 forest fire. Fortunately nobody was hurt during the fire, the worst in 100 years. Snow Camp was the most popular lookout rental in the region, so perhaps the Forest Service will rebuild it. (It’s a pretty good moneymaker in these tough times, after all.) You can stay up to date by checking their website:
www.fs.fed.us/r6/siskiyou/rental.htm
   We’re also unhappy about the apparent abandonment of the BLM Big Tree Recreation Site (page 111). Although the tree was cut down in 1997, it’s still pretty impressive horizontally, and the surrounding canyon is a classic gallery of mixed-species, old-growth forest. The adjacent day-use area, with picnic tables and a bridge over the creek, was right out of a storybook. Alas, these “amenities” have been removed. All that’s left - they even took down the sign - is a vault toilet at the edge of the parking area along BLM 27-11-18.0, so if you’re trying to find this very special place, that’s your only landmark. Remnants of the Quarter-Mile Trail to the Big Tree and up the canyon were still discernable in the early summer of 2005, but are quickly being overgrown. It’s still worth a visit! At least they haven’t logged it yet.
   Finally, a word of caution about signage in the back country. Sadly, it’s getting worse. Shrinking budgets for maintenance is the official answer, but vandals, souvenir hunters and target shooters wage a relentless siege. That’s why it’s important to use the mileages and other information in the book.
And keep your wits about you.
Finally, we appreciate hearing any comments or updates. Let us know if you have any questions about anything in the book:
westways@harborside.com
 
Here are some other helpful paddling-related links:

Adventure Kayak in Bandon has sales, lessons, tours and rentals. Look for them along the Bandon Waterfront.
www.adventurekayak.com
Wavecrest  Discoveries offers land and waterway tours.
www.wavecrestdiscoveries.com

You can often also find information at
www.coostrails.com

Contact us if you have any questions:
Westways@harborside.com

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