Mike Miller Park Loop Hike

Overview

The one-mile Mike Miller Park Educational Trail circles a square of donated forest in Newport's South Beach area. While the area has been logged in the past, some large old growth Sitka spruce still tower over a lush and mossy understory. There are usually interpretive brochures available at the trailhead. Two newer trails lead off the loop trail to double the distance of the outing: the Wilder Trail on the north side of the property leads to a newly created suburb, and the Emery Trail, named after Will Emery, the benefactor who donated the land and has helped to pay for trail development in this area, heads south from the loop to connect with 50th Street. A trail is proposed from here to lead back along 50th to the Mike Miller Educational Trailhead. The interpretive trail heads off into a rhododendron, evergreen huckleberry, salal and wax-myrtle thicket. At the junction for the loop, keep left and walk along an old railroad grade. This railroad was used during the First World War to carry spruce logs from Yachats to Yaquina Bay. Spruce was used in the construction of early-20th century aircraft. Look for migrating newts on the trail in the spring. The trail veers off this flat track and heads up and down to cross a footbridge. Enter shady Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir and western hemlock forest. Cross a footbridge over a pond. The rooty trail heads up in mature woods of Sitka spruce and hemlock. There are plenty of benches to sit on along the trail. Pass a huge spruce and then a large root ball in an area of large hemlocks. At #7, a side trail leads to a soil pit showing the different layers. Reach the junction with the Wilder Trail. This trail offers a glimpse from a height towards South Beach and then drops to the Wilder Twin Park development on SE 40th Street. Continuing on the loop trail, go right in old growth and at #9, a spur trail leads to the edge of the woods. Enter younger hemlock woods, planted in the mid-70s. Salal forms a dense thicket here. Begin a descent in a more open area under recently-plant

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