Wildlife Watching at Bloom Lake
For an under-the-radar outing along Highway 26, consider a 3-mile (round-trip) jaunt to Bloom Lake in the heart of the Clatsop State Forest. Best of all: No matter the day or time of year, you’ll likely have the mostly easy trail to yourself.
The unsigned trailhead sits at a gravel parking lot on the south side of the highway, just past milepost 25; you’ll see a map board at the trailhead but not much else.
From there a 3-mile loop heads to (and around) Bloom Lake, with about 675 feet of elevation gain along the way. Most of that comes early, before leveling out as you approach Bloom Lake through a forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock and vine maple; the latter turns vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange in fall. Keep an eye out at a pond along the trail for beavers, and once at the lake, watch for ducks, herons and other waterfowl that frequent the crystal-clear body of water.
If you decide to visit Bloom Lake, remember to pack the 10 Essentials, and be sure to Take Care Out There with responsible outdoor behavior.
For an under-the-radar outing along Highway 26, consider a 3-mile (round-trip) jaunt to Bloom Lake in the heart of the Clatsop State Forest. Best of all: No matter the day or time of year, you’ll likely have the mostly easy trail to yourself.
The unsigned trailhead sits at a gravel parking lot on the south side of the highway, just past milepost 25; you’ll see a map board at the trailhead but not much else.
From there a 3-mile loop heads to (and around) Bloom Lake, with about 675 feet of elevation gain along the way. Most of that comes early, before leveling out as you approach Bloom Lake through a forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock and vine maple; the latter turns vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange in fall. Keep an eye out at a pond along the trail for beavers, and once at the lake, watch for ducks, herons and other waterfowl that frequent the crystal-clear body of water.
If you decide to visit Bloom Lake, remember to pack the 10 Essentials, and be sure to Take Care Out There with responsible outdoor behavior.
