BANKS, Ore. — There are so many ways to explore Oregon’s backroads and byways for a quiet, unhurried slice of life at this time of year. Take a deep breath and savor the quiet times along the Trees to Sea Scenic Byway.
It begins near Banks, Ore., where a century ago, it was a railroad line that moved big timber. Today, it’s a trail made for cruising on two wheels through an Oregon forest called the Banks-Vernonia Linear State Trail.
“It’s pretty flat so you don’t worry about hill work, and it’s a nice way to get people used to their bikes or riding in a group and that type of thing,” said longtime trail cyclist Sally Miller.
Visitors can also enjoy Stub Stewart State Park! In fact, you can’t miss it because the trail runs right through it. Rental cabins make a campout a super easy weekend getaway as the seasons change.
“The big leaf maples were really showing off,” noted park ranger John Mullen. “It’s got that crispness in the air and may be a little wet sometimes, but a lovely time of year to be out, and it’s not quite so busy.”
Let this be the start of exploring the heart of the coast range along the Trees to Sea Scenic Byway. Established in 2018, it is the 29th state scenic byway to preserve and enhance Oregon’s most outstanding scenic corridors.
Nearby, just off the byway, stroll across the 600-acre metro parkland called Killin Wetlands.
Don’t forget the camera at a place that is bursting with waterfowl at this time of year. Ducks and geese and other winged wildlife from as far away as Alaska will stop for a rest to recover during their annual migration south.
It’s the sort of place that puts wildlife artist Dean Crouser back on his heels: “I could spend the rest of my life in Oregon and be perfectly happy! We all travel and have these grand ambitions to go to all these faraway places when places like this are in our backyards. You just have to get out here.”
Further along the byway, the Gales Creek Trailhead is a fine place to drop in for a stroll at this time of year. A fine place to rest a bit and capture more seasonal change — streamside!
“Look at the color of the leaves, the greens, yellows, reds. You’ve got everything here,” said longtime photographer, Don Best. “Just look at the creek down here — look at all the leaves in the creek. That’s so nice. It’s got everything.”
Best loves to share his fall photos from the byway — he calls it the best place, best time to be out and about in the woods. His photos capture a countryside in transition — moments that leave you slack-jawed for Oregon’s beauty.
“Oh, absolutely! You can get pictures of the mushrooms, leaves on the trees leaves on the water that are floating by and leaves under the water — all at the same time. ... I look for something very interesting in the picture. You should always have a spot in the picture where your eye travels to first and I control that by my composition of the image,” Best said.
This 68-mile-long Trees to Sea Scenic Byway lets you feel a million miles away from city hubbub, and a stop at the Tillamook Forest Center lets you climb to new heights.
It’s true! A replica fire lookout overlooks the center, and you can climb the stairs 60 feet to the top.
The Forest Center tells the story, through exhibits and film, of four devastating fires — collectively called the Tillamook Burns — that claimed half a million acres of ancient trees. It also explains how men battled the flames to protect what they could and then how volunteers brought the forest back to life through re-seeding and planting of Doug fir trees.
In addition, outdoor classes teach young and old alike much about the great outdoors as you stroll across many different trails. The forest center is a fine way to learn about the forest you travel through to reach the sea.
The Scenic Byway ends in dramatic fashion at Cape Meares State Park, where a lighthouse atop a coastal headland rises 200 feet above the broad Pacific Ocean and offers spectacular views.
The Trees to Sea Scenic Byway: once taken, you’ll never want to leave!
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