Shortly after moving to Tillamook, my boyfriend and I joined the watershed council on a tour of Anderson Hill, a beautiful hiking area behind the airbase at the Port of Tillamook. We quickly fell in love with the 0.64-mile understory loop which only takes about 20 minutes to complete (with a few stops in between to admire blooming shrubs, tasty berries and wildlife) and includes moderate and well-maintained trails, native plants, and a variety of song birds.
While you hike along the understory, ferns and other small shrubs sprinkle the trail while large old growth hemlock, spruce and Douglas fir tower over you. Anderson creek also flows through this enchanting landscape which you encounter over a few different foot bridges.
Since many deciduous shrubs and trees scatter the trail, the landscape changes with each season. Make sure to come prepared to get muddy, with the Oregon weather in the winter, the trail turns into a muddy obstacle course, which adds a fun challenge. Early spring welcomes blossoming Trilliums which can take 7-10 years to produce their first flower. Summer months are my favorite due to the variety of berries to snack on during the hike, including salmonberries, blackberries and raspberries. No matter what season it is, there is always something exciting to find here.
If you are looking for a longer adventure, some side trails that are within the loop lead to logging roads which can be walked for hours! If you do find the logging roads, you are guaranteed a beautiful view of the port as well as an open area perfect for bird watching.
With plenty of parking and an easy trail, this place is our favorite to show visiting family and friends, and to take our dog on. Whether you are looking for a short stroll in the woods, or a longer trek up some awesome hills, Anderson Hill holds some amazing adventuring opportunities.
Here is a link to directions to the Anderson Hill Interpretive Trail:
https://www.oregonhikers.org/
For other fun hiking ideas around the Tillamook area, check out the Tillamook Coast website @ https://tillamookcoast.com/
Blog contributed by Meg Angier, Rob Trost Real Estate, LLC
Posted by Admin Account on
Leave A Comment