1.2 hr
Overview
This hike takes you up along an elk–frequented ridge to a basalt formation known locally as The Thumb (or sometimes more colorfully as God's Thumb) on Siuslaw National Forest land. There are spectacular views from here of secluded coves, offshore stacks, and across the Salmon River, the great grassy promontory of Cascade Head. There are several ways to get to The Thumb. The one described here allows you to begin and end the hike in a woodland of mixed forest, parking at a cul de sac that was constructed for a failed development. Lincoln City purchased over 500 acres here in 2013 as the property went into foreclosure. The purchase protects the natural feature known as The Knoll, a spectacular viewpoint, and also includes planning for affordable housing. Note that the shorter and most popular access route in past years, from the end of Logan Road, crosses private land and is no longer tolerated. Another starting point for the hike is from the Roads End State Recreation Site, making your way up neighborhood streets, or you can begin higher up from the Sal La Sea Trailhead for a shorter in and out hike. Please stay on the trails, and respect all signs. At the beginning of the cul de sac at the end of Devils Lake Boulevard, there's a parking pullout for a couple of cars. The trail leads west into The Villages Open Space from here and veers right to descend a slope among salmonberry, Scots broom, Sitka spruce and red alder. At a four-way junction, keep straight and cross a bridge over Logan Creek. Pass a gate and come to Sal La Sea Drive. Turn right to walk up this gravel road to reach Port Drive. There is space for parking on the right side of Sal La Sea here. Turn right on Port Drive and hike past the last house to reach a gate. Walk around the gate, and take a grassy track leading to the right (the main track leads to a quarry). Hike up along this old road bed under red alder and Sitka spruce with thickets of blackberry, salmonberry, and elderberry. This trail can be quite muddy at times. Reach the crest of the
Trail Stats
0.0 km
359 m
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Photos
400px-TheKnollTheThumbLoopMap
400px-TheKnollTheThumbLoopMap
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250px-And_descending_
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250px-Alder_lined_meadow%2C_Hike_to_The_Thumb
250px-View_to_Devil%27s_Lake_from_The_Knoll%2C_Hike_to_The_Thumb
250px-View_to_Devil%27s_Lake_from_The_Knoll%2C_Hike_to_The_Thumb
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250px-Coltsfoot%2C_The_Knoll
400px-View_to_Salmon_River_and_Cascade_Head_from_The_Thumb%2C_Lincoln_City
400px-View_to_Salmon_River_and_Cascade_Head_from_The_Thumb%2C_Lincoln_City