NAVIGATION

Each route is available on Gaia GPS and Ride with GPS. Due to the remoteness of several of the routes, cell service can be very limited. Downloading the routes in an offline version will enable you to see your location along the route even without cell service. You can also save the Gaia GPS and Ride with GPS routes to a Garmin device. I do recommend that you print out the provided maps and directions as a back-up in case your phone dies or malfunctions.

Our routes are public on Gaia GPS and Ride with GPS, and can be accessed via the links provided in each route section. You can see the routes on Ride with GPS without signing up, but you will need to at least sign up for a free basic membership on Gaia GPS to see the routes there. To save an offline version of our routes, you will need to purchase a premium membership for either of the apps. Both apps include free trial periods. You can save the desired offline route(s) to your phone or to a Garmin device, which enables you to see exactly where you are along the route in real time, even when out of cell service range. 

If you prefer not to use Gaia GPS or Ride with GPS, you may consider at least downloading offline Google Maps, which will show you where you are (but not the specific route) even when not in cell service range.

• The routes in this guide are on a combination of public and private lands. Public lands include federal, state, county, and city-owned lands. Private lands primarily  including logging company-owned lands (such as Stimson Lumber Company and  Weyerhaeuser Logging Company). These logging companies have been kind enough to allow the public to visit, at least in some areas. Access is allowed typically on weekends or on weekday evenings, or by applying for a permit for access. 

• Stimson Lumber Company closes all public access when Industrial Fire Precaution Level reaches level II (2) or higher. See following link for current Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to determine closures:   

https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html

• Whether public or privately owned, each area has its own rules regarding access to pedestrians, bikers, e-bikers, and dogs. This specific information is provided in the individual route sections (see the menu bar at the top of the page). I have gathered and updated this information, mostly from seeing signage, as we complete or redo the routes. We have noticed quick changes in rules at times, so be vigilant and be prepared to turn around if needed!

• In the more remote regions in the Coast Range, there may be active hunting during hunting season (primarily, bow hunting from late August to late September, and rifle hunting from early October to late November). Hunters are not allowed to shoot over roads, and you are still allowed to access the routes during hunting season. If you go, wear brightly colored gear. 

• The accessibility of the described routes can change, especially in the more remote areas, due to washouts or fallen trees (although we've crossed many obstacles!). Again, be prepared to turn around if needed! 

• Let someone know where you are going. 

• Go with a partner on the more secluded routes. 

• Bring a cell phone (with a portable charger if needed) with saved offline maps/routes (see above).

• Bring printed out directions (in case your cell phone quits working). 

• Bring printed out map (in case your cell phone quits working). 

• Use a GPS tracking device or an odometer on a bike to track your mileage to line up with the directions. Keep in mind that your device may not always be accurate!

• Bring brightly colored paper markers to leave on the route if you are in doubt about where you are (if your printed and online maps and directions are not working well enough for you). This will allow you to retrace your steps back to where you started.

• Wear bright clothing to be visible to others, including possible hunters in the Coast Range (primarily, bow hunting from late August to late September, and rifle hunting from early October to late November). Hunters are not allowed to shoot over roads, and you are still allowed to access the routes during hunting season. Just be visible if you go.

• Bring pepper spray, or even bear spray in the more secluded areas. We’ve never used it, but it’s easy to pack. 

• Bring a whistle. 

• Animals: The chances of encountering a dangerous animal are extremely low. The most dangerous animals within the areas of these routes are black bears, cougars, and dogs. We saw a black bear once, and it was actually thrilling! It ran away from us and was certainly more afraid of us than we were of it. Black bears are not typically a threat to humans unless you corner them or get between them and their cubs. If you see one, it will most likely run away from you. In the rare case that one acts aggressively to you, make yourself look large with your arms overhead, make a lot of noise, and slowly back away while still keeping eye contact. The same holds true if you see a cougar, which is even a less likely sighting than a black bear. Dogs can be unpredictable. We don’t normally see them out on the most remote routes, but we do see them in farm country. Most have been fenced in, and even if they sound aggressive, we have felt safe.