Skipanon River Loop Hike

Overview

The City of Warrenton, built on tidal flats and marshes, has a system of trails that, in the main, follow the levees constructed to keep the waters from flooding the town. The Skipanon River Loop is a short excursion that follows levees on both sides of the river near its mouth. You can extend the hike by walking out to Youngs Bay. There is an abundance of waterfowl in these parts, including herons, egrets, grebes, geese, and various species of ducks. You might observe a red-tailed hawk perched up high and elk will come out and graze the levees at dusk and dawn. Spend a few minutes checking out Lighthouse Park: there's a memorial to fishermen lost at sea and a map sign of the Warrenton Waterfront Trail. Walk east back to Harbor Drive and follow the Warrenton Waterfront Trail north of the highway. This soon crosses under the road bridge over the Skipanon River on a paved trail that heads down a dyke above the river. Pass a small dock and fishing platform with a gravel parking area down to the right at 2nd Street. The paved trail then reaches the picnic tables at the small Skipanon River Park across from a spruce-forested island in the river. From here, go out on 3rd Street to Main Avenue and go left until you reach 5th Street. Make a left here and resume hiking along a grassy dyke until you reach the 8th Street Dam. Go left and cross the river here to reach a junction. Turn right and head upriver on the Eastern Spur of the Skipanon River Trail. You'll pass a Sitka spruce/willow wetland to the left and notice lots of elk sign, in the form of tracks and droppings, on the levee. You may encounter Canada geese and ducks scudding away on the water. Walk around a meander in the river: look for a little outdoor church on the opposite bank. The levee continues down to Highway 101 (Business Loop). Turn around and hike back to the 8th Street Dam, where you'll continue the hike by keeping to the east bank of the river. Pass around a gate and walk along the grassy, mole-hilled dyke. Pass a spruce wetland and then a bo

Trail Stats

Photos

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