I haven’t been to Gnat Creek for a few years, not since the Upper Gnat Creek Trail was constructed, so I ventured out there on a damp Sunday. The ODF has a map online for the trail.
I began near the campground on the north side of Highway 30. The first section of forest is a beautiful woodland of tall western hemlock and Sitka spruce above the steep, eroding banks of Gnat Creek. Long tendrils of spikemoss extend over the forest floor here. They are descendants of the earliest vascular plants, dominant during the Carboniferous Period, and a major component of coal. The trail then undulates through younger secondary woods. I fetched up at a fishing hole where two anglers were proud to show off part of their catch. Then it was up to cross Highway 30 and reach the Gnat Creek Hatchery.
There is Visitor Parking here and most of the rearing ponds were dry, the exception being the one with big fish, which you are allowed to feed. There’s an overlook to a 15-foot waterfall, which, because of the decorative conduit running down one side, I will dub Stovepipe Falls. I took the trail behind the covered picnic area, walked across a powerline corridor, and crossed the hatchery road to do the nature trail loop near massive 5-foot Barrier Falls. Then it was back across the road on another interpretive loop to reach the Upper Gnat Creek Trail.
This newer trail heads up along the edge of a clearcut replanted with hemlock, but with frequent views down into the Gnat Creek ravine, where tall hemlock, cedar, spruce, alder and maple reign. Soon, I reached an older woodland, logged more than 100 years ago and now a natural forest of Douglas-fir and hemlock harboring massive rotting stumps. The trail descends to the confluence of Gnat and McNary Creeks before rising to a short loop at Bigfoot Creek. A spur leads off this to Bigfoot Creek Road, about a quarter of a mile away. At a bench overlooking the creek, and sheltered from the drizzle by tall conifers, I ate my sandwich and returned down the trail.
About 8 miles or so (I think).
Gnat Creek (Clatsop State Forest)
- BrianEdwards
- Posts: 2405
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Re: Gnat Creek (Clatsop State Forest)
Good choice of a hike. Didn't realize McNary Creek was so big. I like the name "Stovepipe Falls." That waterfall was needing a name.
Clackamas River Waterfall Project - 95 Documented, 18 to go.
- mileagemike25000
- Posts: 475
- Joined: February 8th, 2012, 7:40 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Gnat Creek (Clatsop State Forest)
Bobcat - Thanks for the great pictures and TR. One of our favorite hikes, and never crowded when we went! Hiking this trail in a light dusting of snow was a real treat. Did you stop to feed the fish at the hatchery?
Re: Gnat Creek (Clatsop State Forest)
@Brian: Regarding McNary Creek, I looked again and I think in my photo what you see is a braided section of Gnat Creek. I believe McNary Creek comes down and joins the eastern channel somewhere just out of the photo, so all that water is really coming from two sources!
@Mike: A few years ago, I was with a kid and we fed the fish. This time, I declined the opportunity. And yes, I did check your two reports after I did the hike.
@Mike: A few years ago, I was with a kid and we fed the fish. This time, I declined the opportunity. And yes, I did check your two reports after I did the hike.