King’s Mountain

It’s «very difficult». The view at the top is pretty, but not worth the strain to get up there. We didn’t try the loop, which probably would have more pretty things to look at, although it’s a lot longer.

This is a hike with a trailhead located directly on Wilson River Highway (known to some as OR-​6). It is located at approximately milepost 25.5 on the north side of the road. If you travel OR-​6 during the summer months, you’ll almost inevitably notice a parking lot full of cars at the trailhead, a couple miles east of Lee’s Camp.
People love this trail, myself included, for reasons that become evident upon your first trip up it. There are a handful of trails and loops you can take from this trailhead. I have only hiked the King’s Mountain trail, but I’ve heard the other ones are great as well.
The trail starts at approximately 500 feet elevation. It is 2.5 miles to the top of King’s Mountain during which time you gain damn near a half a vertical mile (summit is at 3,226 feet). For those that know, 1,000 vertical feet elevation gain/​loss per mile is pretty damn steep. It is not a trail for beginners, but definitely can be completed by anyone in decent shape with some stubbornness in their bones and an ability to pace themselves.
I’ve hiked this 5 or 6 times now since I’ve moved to Tillamook almost two years ago. It is a great hike that gives a great sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit. There is a cool feature at the top – a sealed tube with a spiral notebook journal inside wherein hikers scratch their names, the date and any notes they want to add. It is pretty cool to see the other people that have climbed it and some of the things they made note of in the journal.
The view from the top is spectacular. On a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean to the West, Mt. Hood to the ESE and Mt. St. Helens to the NE. Very cool stuff.
There is a great little location to eat near the top (about 2,950 feet) with a picnic table and a great view of the ocean (on a clear day), the Coast Range and the Wilson River Valley. It has some trees around the small clearing that block some, if not all, the wind (which can be significant at the top of the ridgeline/​range.
The directions are pretty basic: from PDX, take US-​26 west out of Portland to OR-​6 (to Tillamook) and drive over the pass until approximately mile-​marker 25.5. There will be a sign with «King’s Mountain» on the right hand (north) side of the road as you’re heading west which marks the trailhead. It is right after a right hand curve, so it can sneak up on you.
If you like to hike and haven’t experienced this hidden gem yet, do so! I highly, highly recommend it.