Leap Year Hike

Siltcoos Lake, from the trail.\Photo courtesy of South Coast Striders.

The South Coast Striders hiking group invites the public to join them on a hike on the Siltcoos Lake Trail, making a four-mile loop through a coastal forest of Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir to the shores of the largest freshwater lake on the Oregon coast. It is a rolling trail but has a few steep places in it. Paddlers might want to use this opportunity to check out the Siltcoos River Trail.

The hike, which begins at the trailhead parking lot at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29, is free and open to all.  Bring plenty of water, lunch and dress appropriately for the weather.

If interested in a longer hike, one group of hikers will cross the highway and take the Waxmyrtle Trail out to the beach and back. This is an additional three-mile round trip.

Directions to Siltcoos Lake Trail: Travel on Highway 101 to trailhead parking on east side of highway, seven miles south of Florence near milepost marker 198.

This hike, taking place on Feb. 29, is a rare opportunity.  It can only take place every fourth year.  During the other three years, the Siltcoos Lake Trail disappears.   No, wait, that isn’t how Leap Year works….