Warrenton Waterfront Hike

Overview

Following for much of its route an old railroad spur to Point Adams, the Warrenton Waterfront Trail is a work in progress. A couple of sections of the route follow city streets (and the City of Warrenton likes to remind visitors that it is the 4th largest city in Oregon – by area). The trail is flat and comes close to Tansy Point, where the shipping channel runs close to shore. You’ll pass the historic Point Adams Coast Guard Station, once the northwesternmost point of Oregon, and the final stop is Seafarer’s Park at the Hammond Boat Basin. A loop option on the return takes you past the Hampton Lumber Yard and a historic mansion. Officially the trail begins at the 2nd Street Park in Warrenton, but to avoid city streets, begin at the Warrenton Waterfront Trailhead. You’ll be walking straight on a paved trail along an avenue of elm and alder and then a thick hedge of willow. Large fields to the right provide fodder for goats, sheep, horses, and cattle. After you cross 5th Street, the willow predominates in the wetlands on the right, along with sedge, blackberry, alder, and elderberry. Soon larger white alder and Sitka spruce cast deeper shade. A raised grassy dike heads off to the right at an acute angle: this is the Lagoon Trail, which you can opt for on the return. Where there used to be a trestle, you’ll jink right off the railroad grade to a bench with views of Astoria and the Astoria-Megler Bridge. The Willapa Hills of Washington are visible across this wide channel of the Columbia. To your left, Tansy Creek joins Alder Creek in a small lagoon, and you can see the supports for the old railroad trestle below. Alder Creek enters Alder Cove to the right, and you’ll pass above a tide gate underneath the trail. The official trail brochure explains that there are over 100,000 “benthic invertebrates” per square meter living in the cove sediments, these small creatures forming the base of the local food chain. Look for the ducks and herons that may feed here. There’s a wide swath of mowed grass alongside the rail

Trail Stats

Photos

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