Salmonberry River

Check "Red Tape" before planning a trip to this area. A unique non-technical canyon / hiking / backpacking destination: this is a 16mi+ section of the abandoned railroad line along the Salmonberry River through the Oregon coast range. Non-technical does not mean easy, however. The route is largely abandoned, overgrown, and it is far more dangerous than your average hike. This is absolutely not a route for the inexperienced. The route used to be an active train line used for hauling lumber out from the coast, until large sections were damaged/destroyed by the Great Coastal Gale of 2007. Between the start at Cochran Pond and the Nehalem River takeout there are 18+ railway bridges you walk across, including 2 massive wooden trestle bridges, and at least nine tunnels. The full route is commonly done as an overnight hike, although strong hikers could do it as a day trip. You can also do an out-and-back from Cochran Pond to see the two large trestle bridges and the first couple tunnels. Beware of car breakins, particularly at the start, although they have been reported at the takeout as well.