Lester Creek

Update March 2025: The road to Diamond Mill currently is gated at Jones Creek for logging operations. If coming in this way, it will add a +1.5mi road walk each way. A marginally better (and more interesting) option is to drop a car at the gate and shuttle to the Kings Mountain trailhead. A shortie canyon on the southwestern flanks of Kings Mountain. Lester Creek is best visited in winter and spring when it has water; apparently it can run dry by summer. Access top and bottom is great. Perhaps not one of the greats, but a worthy outing by Oregon Coast Range standards.

From the OHV staging area at Diamond Mill, locate the footbridge across the North Fork Wilson River at the NE end of the parking lot. Follow the Wilson River Trail up about 2.5mi to where it crosses a minor tributary above Lester Creek.

Follow the trib into the creek. There is an optional 15ft rappel (R0) on the tributary before you reach Lester Creek proper. Easily bypassed DCR. Main creek was extremely slippery in March 2025.