Fun Trail Facts
The Valley of the Giants is a 51 acre jewel containing a stand of old-growth Douglas-fir
and hemlock trees, so many of which are well over 20 feet in circumference and a couple hundred feel tall.
It's hard to feel aged here, as many of the trees are over 400 years old.
In 1976, the Bureau of Land Management designated the site as an Outstanding Natural Area.
and hemlock trees, so many of which are well over 20 feet in circumference and a couple hundred feel tall.
It's hard to feel aged here, as many of the trees are over 400 years old.
In 1976, the Bureau of Land Management designated the site as an Outstanding Natural Area.
Trail Information
| Hike Name Valley of the Giants County & State Polk County, Oregon Forest Oregon Coast Range Latitude & Longitude (DEC) 44.938739, -123.71393 Family Friendliness If you and yours can survive the 30-mile trek on logging roads to reach the trailhead, this is a great place. I had no troubles with my 5-year-old or 2-year-old. Hike Difficulty Easy Elevation 1,335 feet Elevation Gain 200 feet Distance I'd say the full loop and exploring side trails was 2 miles. Route Type Loop Access to Trailhead Insane. Call the BLM’s Salem District Office at 503-375-5646 for directions and road information. I found a PDF of the directions here, and they worked well for our trip. That said, one unanticipated gate closure would have made for some teeth gnashing. Fee None |
Trip Report
I've been on quite a few logging roads with obtuse directions to a trailhead, but this one took the cake. Nearly two hours of bumping around between the time we left pavement and the moment we saw the trailhead.
It's hard to say much about the glory of this little parcel of land. Much like trying to photograph them, large trees are difficult to to convey in words.
It's an awe-inducing place where Ents truly live.
Large sections of the trail were completely safe for both Trail Kids to do their thing. This was my daughter's first time doing most of a hike outside of a carrier, and her aptitude for it floored me.
In another moment of fatherhood beaming, I watched my son do everything he could to help his sister on her way. He held back branches, warned her about stumps, and held her hand on steep parts of the trail.
It's hard to say much about the glory of this little parcel of land. Much like trying to photograph them, large trees are difficult to to convey in words.
It's an awe-inducing place where Ents truly live.
Large sections of the trail were completely safe for both Trail Kids to do their thing. This was my daughter's first time doing most of a hike outside of a carrier, and her aptitude for it floored me.
In another moment of fatherhood beaming, I watched my son do everything he could to help his sister on her way. He held back branches, warned her about stumps, and held her hand on steep parts of the trail.
Are there any parts that didn't feel totally safe for two children running at will? Just a few, as there is a bridge over the North Fork Siletz and a few parts of the trail that are on the steep side. Beyond that, all was good.
The journey to the Valley of the Giants is a wonderful lesson in patience, prayer, and good tires. In all seriousness, it is a living classroom for forestry. The 30 miles to the area is a trek through clearcuts and monoculture reforestation still in its infancy. Once you reach your destination, it's all about what happens when these forests are not disturbed.
The journey to the Valley of the Giants is a wonderful lesson in patience, prayer, and good tires. In all seriousness, it is a living classroom for forestry. The 30 miles to the area is a trek through clearcuts and monoculture reforestation still in its infancy. Once you reach your destination, it's all about what happens when these forests are not disturbed.
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