ALSEA, Ore. — It’s the trails less traveled that I like to explore, and at the southern end of the Willamette Valley there is a dandy – marked by spring wildflowers, gorgeous forested scenery and a spectacular waterfall whose prime time is passing along the Alsea River Backcountry Byway.
How can you miss on a day like this when the gray-shaded drizzle that blankets the land or the buckets of drenching wet that fall from above are gone and give way to a clear view to wildlife along a less traveled byway.
Right now, the geese pass by in waves, moving north to their Alaska nesting grounds from William Finley Refuge near Corvallis.
While often seen high overhead, the flocks are also closer to ground where they fill the refuge’s pastures, dining on lush green grass.
Let this be just the start of a day-long adventure that leads you toward new territory near the small burg of Alpine, Oregon. Be prepared to spend some time and savor a trail that threads through the heart of the Coast Range mountains to reach the South Fork Alsea River.
It is a roadway so significant that the Bureau of Land Management designated 11 miles of it a National Back Country Byway.
The river is often by your side and you will slow down to enjoy it, for the narrow winding asphalt gives you little choice.
On a gorgeous sunlit day, the small feeder creeks run full across lush moss as wildflowers like trillium and fairy slipper orchids reach their full bloom.
Soon, it’s time to trade in the truck for two legs at the Alsea Falls Recreation Area that offers nearly 8 miles of hiking trails.
One of the special qualities of the Alsea Falls Recreation Area that I appreciate are the hiking trails galore — including one that skirts the South Fork of the Alsea River — were you can fully appreciate what makes this place so special.
Alsea Falls does so in a 125-foot stretch — roaring across ancient basalt rock in a foamy moment that is worth a pause before you move along, too.
You’re apt to find me along this river on a day when sunbeams light up the scene and wildflowers wave you along as the river rolls on to its magical, ageless song … the Alsea River Backcountry Byway is not to be missed.
A couple things to remember: The BLM opens the Alsea Falls Recreation Area picnic area and campgrounds in mid-May and the hiking trails are open any time. The S Fork Alsea River Backcountry Byway is open year-round.
Be sure to watch the weekly half-hour program of Grant’s Getaways. The show airs each Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. on KGW.
For something different, you can follow my Oregon adventures via the Grant’s Getaways Podcast: Each segment is a story-telling session where I relate behind-the-scenes stories from four decades of travel and television reporting.
You can also learn more about many of my favorite Oregon travels and adventures in the Grant’s Getaways book series, including:
- "Grants Getaways I," Photography by Steve Terrill
- "Grant's Getaways II," Photography by Steve Terrill
- “Grant’s Getaways: 101 Oregon Adventures,” Photography by Jeff Kastner
- “Grant’s Getaways: Guide to Wildlife Watching in Oregon,” Photography by Jeff Kastner
- “Grant’s Getaways: Oregon Adventures with the Kids,” Photography by Jeff Kastner
The book collection offers hundreds of outdoor activities across Oregon and promises to engage a kid of any age.
You can reach me: Gmcomie@kgw.com