The Oregon Coast Range runs roughly two-thirds the length of the state, starting near Portland and terminating near the north fork of the Coquille River. At its highest point (Marys Peak), the range barely tops 4,100 feet (1,249 m), making it a relatively low when compared to other mountains in the Pacific Northwest. (For example, Mt. Hood in the Cascade Mountain range to the northeast is over 11,200 feet (3,413 m)!). Although intrinsically valuable as a unique environment, the Coast Mountain Range is also economically important. It provides much of Oregon’s raw lumber, though over-harvesting has left the soil unprotected from erosion in many places, hampering new forest growth. These dwindling resources and efforts to restore the forest have caused logging to decline although recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking and camping remain popular.
Category: General Article
There are only a few major highways which connect the Oregon coast to the interior of the state, with U.S. Route 20 being one of the best known on the central coast.
Category: General Article
OR34 (known as Alsea Highway) connects US Highway 101 (Pacific Coast Highway) at Waldport with Philomath on the east side of the Coast Range Mountains.
Category: General Article
Commonly known as the Florence-Eugene Highway, OR 126 is 60 mile (96.5 km) stretch following the northern bank of the Siuslaw River and wending through the pristine rain forest of the Coast Mountain Range.
Category: General Article
The real story of how an enigmatic but shady character named Colonel Thomas Egenton Hogg promised the people of Corvallis a railroad which would connect them to the Oregon Coast – but delivered only one disaster after another.
Category: Fun Fact
If the Coast Range Mountains prove one thing, it's that even modern engineering and transportation can't match the raw forces of nature.