Oregon

Drift Creek Historical Covered Bridge, Built in 1914

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Drift Creek Covered Bridge is a nice piece of History on the way to the Oregon coast.  Claimed as the oldest remaining covered bridge in Oregon.

Location:

From Lincoln City head north on Hwy 101 to Hwy 18. Travel east on Hwy. 18 to milepost 3.96. Exit Hwy. 18 and travel south on Bear Creek Road 0.9 mile. The bridge is located on the left.

From Portland take I5 South to 99w heading towards Newberg and McMinnville.  In approximately 17.8 miles take the Hwy 18 Bypass towards the Oregon Coast.  follow this for another 49.2 miles to Rose Lodge, Or and make a left turn onto Bear Creek Road, this is a hard road sign to see so pay attention.

 

Drift Creek Covered Bridge Map
Drift Creek Covered Bridge Map

Drift Creek Bridge was originally built on a span of the highway only 1.5 miles from the coast, as new roads and highways were built later on it diverted the traffic from it’s original remote site.

When the bridge was originally built in 1914, the area surrounding the bridge site was known as Lutgens, and in 1917, the name was changed to Nice. Overall, the area has had at least eight name changes occur in this community prior to the closing of the post office in 1919.

This bridge was completely dismantled in late 1997. The County gave the timbers that made up the covered bridge to the Sweitz family who owned land only eight miles to the north of the original site.

Laura and Kerry Sweitz had envisioned the house being rebuilt over their concrete bridge that provides access to their property across Bear Creek. Thier vision was to resurrect & preserve the bridge which now stands in a small, beautiful park-like setting.

The Sweitz family has given the public easement for heritage purposes for all time.

Drift Creek Falls Bridge

Drift Creek Suspension Bridge Hike

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Distance:  3.5 miles
Season:     All Year
Class:        II

Directions:  Coming from Portland you will take I-5 South to the Tigard Newberg exit, Hwy 99W.  Stay on 99W through Newberg and Dundee.  Approximately 5 miles past Dundee is the junction of Hwy 18 West, the road sign reads Oregon Coast and Dayton.  Turn left onto Hwy 18.  You will stay on Hwy 18 for 41 miles to Bear Creek Road.  This is a difficult road to see so I will give you a landmark.  At approximately the 40-mile mark start looking for Brown’s Rosewood Lodge Gardens and Nursery on the right.  About ½ a mile further is the road sign.  It will state Bear Creek Road, Cougar Mt LO and Schooner Creek.  Also on the sign is the Drift Creek Falls Forest info.  From here turn left onto Bear Creek Road for 9 miles.  At approximately 2 miles onto the road it turns into gravel, but don’t be alarmed, the pavement comes back in about 1-½ miles and continues for most of the journey.

This is a narrow one-lane road that has many curves in it; caution should be exercised when driving it.  The parking lot is at the 9-mile point and is located on the left side of the road.

Trailhead:  The trailhead is located on the far side of the parking lot next to the NW Forest Pass pay station and information board.   NW Pass Required.

Restroom:  Yes, located on the other end of the parking lot opposite the trailhead.

The Hike: This hike starts with a series of long switchbacks as you descend to the bottom of the valley.  There is approximately a 12% grade, this is why it is rated a class II hike.  At ¼ of a mile you will come to a wooden bridge in the middle of one of the switchbacks.  This bridge offers you a wonderful view down the creek.  From here continue on the trail enjoying the many ferns that cover much of the forests floor.  Looking into the forest you will see signs of logging from many years ago, stumps, some downed trees and such.  The forest is doing great with many large trees along this hike. 

Points of Interest: 

Return:  For your return trip just turn around and go back on the same trail you came in on.

NORDIC NORTHWEST TROLL – Ole Bolle by The Danish artist and environmentalist Thomas Dambo

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The much anticipated completion of Ole Bolle the Troll is finally here.  Introducing the newest resident of the Northwest Campus, Ole Bolle!  Open to the public starting Aug 13, 2023 on the campus of the non-profit Nordic Northwest located near Washington Square in the Tigard Beaverton area.  The Troll is constructed using recycled materials and volunteer workers.

Just a short walk down a groomed gravel path to witness one of Thomas Dambo’s Troll Creations.

Admission is free to view during daylight hours, donations are appreciated.

“There’s something in the air, that something makes my belly rumble.

Something smells so strong, it hits me almost makes me stumble.

Could it be the little people cooking something smelly?

In the big red cookie jar, so I can put them in my belly.”

How to Visit the Troll

The 19-foot-tall troll is nestled within the trees behind Fogelbo, a home filled with Nordic antiques and art on the National Register of Historic Places. 

You can visit the troll during daylight hours at the campus of the nonprofit Nordic Northwest at 8800 S.W. Oleson Road, Portland Or 97223 not far from Washington Square. It will be on site for at least three years. The troll isn’t visible from the street, and visitors will need to travel down a gravel path to find it. Follow the troll signs.

This is a great little fun adventure that anyone will enjoy.  So get in your car, grab the kids, grand kids and friends and take the short Stroll to see the Troll…

Thomas Dambo's Troll Map

This map is an overview of Thomas Dambos ever-growing recycle sculpture fairytale “Trail of a 1000 Trolls” Thomas Dambo is an artist based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Thomas makes beautiful and fun sculptures and installations out of recycled materials.

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