Skip to main content

Neskowin Scenic Drive

If you are driving up the Oregon Coast on US 101 between Lincoln City and Tillamook or heading on OR Highway 18 to the coast, you may pass by a sign for an Old Scenic US 101 Highway. That old road is the Neskowin Scenic Drive, which is an old alignment of US 101. A new, and at times steeper, alignment of US 101 past Cascade Head on the way to the Neskowin Ghost Forest in Neskowin has since replaced this narrow, twisty forest road. Fortunately, you can still explore the old road as it winds its way through the Siuslaw National Forest's Cascade Head Experimental Forest, whether it be by car, on foot or by bicycle. The Neskowin Scenic Drive is about 10 miles long, using Slab Creek Road and Old Scenic US Highway 101 as it meanders from Neskowin to Otis. That's just what I did following a hike to nearby Drift Creek Falls and a visit to the Neskowin Ghost Forest.


An informational sign about the Neskowin Scenic Drive, which goes through some lush coastal forests.

That is an one lane bridge going over a small creek.

A typical view of the forest on the Neskowin Scenic Drive.

The Otis Cafe, at the corner of the Neskowin Scenic Drive and OR 18. This long operating greasy spoon apparently has some delicious molasses bread.

The Neskowin Scenic Drive ends at OR 18. It's just a short drive back to US 101, or a longer drive to Salem or Portland.




Sources and Links:
Waymarking.com - South End of Neskowin Scenic Drive - Oregon
Motorcycle Roads NorthWest - Slab Creek Road / Scenic 101

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bridgeport Covered Bridge

The Bridgeport Covered Bridge is a historic crossing of the South Fork Yuba River located in Nevada County, California near Nevada City.  The Bridgeport Covered Bridge opened as a tolled crossing during 1862 as part of the larger Henness Pass Road.  The Bridgeport Covered Bridge closed to vehicle traffic during 1972 and was recently restored during 2021.  The Bridgeport Covered Bridge is historically California's longest covered span is thought to likely be the longest such structure surviving in the world.  Featured as the blog cover is the Bridgeport Covered Bridge during 1950 when it was an active part of Pleasant Valley Road.   The history of the Bridgeport Covered Bridge The history of Bridgeport Covered Bridge was featured in the  September 1950 California Highways & Public Works .  Bridgeport Covered Bridge was constructed during 1862 over the South Fork Yuba River.  The Bridgeport Covered Bridge served as part of the Virginia Turnpike Company maintained Henness Pass Roa

Former California State Route 215

  California State Route 215 was a short-lived state highway which existed in the Los Angeles Metropolitain area after the 1964 State Highway Renumbering.  California State Route 215 was aligned from US Route 60 at 5th Street in Pomona north to US Route 66 near Claremont via Garey Avenue.  California State Route 215 came to be after California State Route 71 was bisected in Pomona due to relinquishment of a portion of Garey Avenue due to the opening of a portion of the Corona Freeway (now Chino Valley Freeway) during 1958.  California State Route 215 was deleted by the Legislature during 1965. The history of California State Route 215 The initial segment of what was to become California State Route 215 was added to the State Highway System as part of the 1909 First State Highway Bond Act.  The First State Highway Bond Act defined what would become  Legislative Route Number 19  (LRN 19) as running from Claremont to Riverside.  The segment of LRN 19 between Claremont and Pomona would in

US Route 70 over San Augustin Pass

San Augustin Pass is a gap in the Organ Mountains, San Augustin Mountains and San Andres in Dona Ana County east of Las Cruces.  San Augustin Pass lies an elevation of approximately 5,600 feet above sea level and was originally traversed by New Mexico State Route 3.  US Route 70 would be realigned over San Augustin Pass during 1934 when it was extended to Los Angeles, California.  During 1963 US Route 82 would be extended through San Augustin Pass to Las Cruces.  Since the early the early 1990s signage of US Route 82 has been withdrawn to Alamogordo.  San Augustin Pass and US Route 70 are largely known for the numerous closures due to test firings originating from the White Sands Missile Range.   Part 1; the history of highway designations over San Augustin Pass San Augustin Pass traditionally has been the easiest from the Rio Grande in Las Cruces east to the Tularosa Basin.  The terrain conditions at San Augustin Pass allowed for an easy crossing in the gap between the Organ Mountains