Siltcoos Lake Trail is a good ride if you happen to be in the coast area, but since it is short, you may not want to drive to the coast just for this one ride. This ride can be combined with other rides in the area. The trail is short and easy, and best of all it forms a loop and goes to a lake. The surface is pine needle and smooth for the most part with a few bridges and stairs.
The Siltcoos Lake trailhead is 6 miles south of Florence on Highway 101. Turn left (east) at the Siltcoos Lake Trail sign, and find the trailhead parking lot about 200 yards from Highway 101. There is a basic map sign at the trailhead.
The ride begins with a 1 mile gentle uphill, which comes to a junction. It really doesn't matter which way you go at this point, as this is the beginning of the loop. The north trail is easier, so it would be a good choice if you want to make this a very casual ride. It is about another mile to Siltcoos Lake by either arm of the trail. The lake has a number of nice lakeside campsites that are accessible only by this trail. This would he a good place to try out mountain hike camping. If you came in on the north trail arm, you now can decide to either return by the same easy route, or try the slightly more difficult south arm. The south arm has a few duckboard sections, bridges, and several short and steep sections some with stairs.
The ride is nearly all in dense, second growth trees. Siltcoos Lake is clearly the most attractive part of the trip. This would be a good ride to do in conjunction with the Three Mile Lake Trail, which is 5 miles further south on Highway 101.
Bruce V Mason
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