Kings Mountain Hike Oregon

Kings Mountain summit Hike Oregon

King's Mountain is Located about an hour from Portland in the Tillamook State Forest (towards the Oregon Coast), It is a fun, moderate hike through the forest that ends with a great view of the surrounding hills. On a clear day There’s a view of Mount Hood and Mount Adams through the trees before we reach the summit.

Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain are two popular hiking destinations in the Oregon Coast range. The trails are a little more rugged than typical Columbia River Gorge or Mount Hood trails. They are lower elevation than Mount Hood hikes so they are possible in the winter when Mount Hood trails are snowed in. There are two trail heads, the Elk Creek Trail-head and Kings Mountain Trailhead, off highway 6 between Portland and Tillamook. The Mazamas have adopted these trails, so it is well marked and well maintained.

·         Start point: Kings Mountain Trail-head

·         Trail : Trail Log

·         Distance: 5 miles round trip

·         Elevation gain: 2500 feet

·         Difficulty: Upper Moderate

The trail heads gradually up under alders and switchbacks at a view of a rushing creek. Then the path winds up steeply on a ridge before dropping and crossing the head of a small gully. The trail rises gradually. Sword fern dominates the under story. Head up a ridge with a rushing creek to the left and then walk on the level in Douglas-fir woods. From here on up it feels as if the hike gets steeper with every step – occasionally so steep that your footing slips a little. And just when you thought the incline couldn’t get any worse, you have to engage your hands to traverse a series of rock steps before the final push to the summit. Finally, the summit.

On a clear day, we can see Mt. Hood, an expansive swath of the Coast Range, and even the Pacific Ocean.  In the spring (late May to early June) Kings Mountain hike features an abundance of wildflowers including beargrass, paintbrush, penstemon, phlox, and the rare phantom orchid.

Kings Mountain Trail-Head Directions : From Portland, take highway 26 to highway 6. It's 49 miles west on highway 6 from the 26 junction. It's on the north side of the road and marked well.