2018 SWOCC Elliott State Forest Draft Recreation Plan

Chapter 5. Sightseeing and Aesthetics

Fig. 5.1. Old-Growth Canopy at Silver Creek Heritage Grove. Photo by Daniel Patton, April 17, 2018. .

Sightseeing and Aesthetics
By Daniel Patton, Tara Boyd, and Matthew Smith

The Elliott State Forest has many features that any visitor, or a local resident can explore. With a short 30-minute drive from the city of Coos Bay, you can gain access to the Elliott. There are multiple entry points ranging from the West fork of the Millicoma River, up to the Umpqua River. The Elliott provides 93,000 acres of land for the public to enjoy. Sightseeing is a popular recreation activity and can become more with new visitors coming to explore the Elliott. Caution should be used while occupying the narrow roads. Reviewing the area by map would be advised, due to the lack of signage.  

Current Use

Depending on what the type of scenery the visitor is seeking, many different locations are accessible for viewing. Some different activities to consider include, scenic vistas, wildlife, history, and water sources. Here is a list of recommended locations to visit:

BLM Dean Creek Viewing Area; Indian Trails; elk trails; early pack trails; CCC roads; Columbus Day Storm roads; Loon Lake; BLM commercial camping; Mill Creek splash dams; riparian vegetation control; Huckleberry Point; Indian Point; ethnobotany; wild flowers;  Tenmile Lakes and Elliott tributaries; tideland channeling; Millicoma Hatchery; Elliott lakefront property; exotic fish management; native fisheries (including eels); Golden and Silver Falls; Millicoma River; Deans Mountain; Silver Creek Old-Growth viewing.

Map 5.1. Map of Scenic Photograph Locations (Oregon Department of Transportation 2017 base).
Options

Scenic Vistas

To seek out scenic vistas, a drive to the highest ridgeline would be best. A logging clear-cut can provide an open space that provides miles of viewing from all around. In certain locations, east of Tenmile Lakes, the Oregon Dunes and beaches can be seen. On a clear sunny day, the quality of sightseeing can increase dramatically. This provides photographers an excellent chance to get long-distance shots. A list of places providing scenic vistas include, Indian Trails, elk trails, early pack trails, Columbus Day Storm roads, and Deans Mountain. 

Fig. 5.2. Elliott Scenic Vistas. (Left) Photo taken from Larson Ridge facing south, by Daniel Patton, April 17, 2018. (Right) Photo taken from Deans Mountain facing west, by Bob Zybach, December 6, 2017.

Water Features

The Elliott contains hundreds of creeks, several rivers and a couple of lakes all available for viewing. Two main waterfalls I would recommend visiting are Gold and Silver Falls. They are located an hour's drive east of Coos Bay. A large lake located Northeast of Coos Bay is called Loon Lake. Travel time from Coos Bay to Loon Lake is approximately one and a half hours. A day fee and a moderate hike can get you to another waterfall, through the Loon Lake campground, that is great for exploring and viewing.

Fig. 5.3. Elliott Area Waterfalls. (Left) Loon Lake Waterfall, June 3, 2018. (Right) Silver Falls, May 22, 2018. Both photographs by Daniel Patton.
   
Wildlife Viewing

There are approximately 209 species of animals located with in and around the Elliott. This includes: 58 mammals, 103 birds, 23 amphibians and reptiles, and 25 fish species. A list of Elliott wild mammals follows; a listing of Elliott birds is included in Chapter 9.


 
Fig. 5.4. Elliott Wild Animals. (Left) Elk from Dean Creek Viewing Area, May 15, 2018. (Right) Snake near Loon Lake, June 3, 2018. Both photographs by Daniel Patton.

Table 5.1. Wild Mammals of the Elliott (Decker et al. 2011: E-5-6).

Common Name

Latin Name

Status

Bear, Black

Ursus americanus

Game Animal

Cougar

Felis concolor

Game Animal

Deer, Black-Tailed

Odocoileus hemionus columbianus

Game Animal

Elk, Roosevelt

Cervus elaphus roosevelti

Game Animal

Squirrel, Gray

Sciurus griseus

Game Animal

Nutria

Myocastor coypus

Introduced Exotic

Opossum

Didelphis virginiana

Introduced Exotic

Bat, Big Brown

Eptesicus fuscus

Native Wildlife

Bat, Little Brown

Myotis lucifugus

Native Wildlife

Beaver

Castor canadensis

Native Wildlife

Bobcat

Felis Rufus

Native Wildlife

Chipmunk

Tamias townsendii

Native Wildlife

Coyote

Canis latrans

Native Wildlife

Ermine

Mustela erminea

Native Wildlife

Fox, Gray

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Native Wildlife

Hare, Snowshoe

Lepus americanus

Native Wildlife

Mink

Mustela vison

Native Wildlife

Mole, Coast

Scapanus orarius

Native Wildlife

Mole, Shrew

Neurotrichus gibbsii

Native Wildlife

Mole, Townsend's

Scapanus townsendii

Native Wildlife

Mountain Beaver

Aplodontia rufa

Native Wildlife

Mouse, Deer

Peromyscus maniculatus

Native Wildlife

Mouse, Jumping

Zapus trinotatus

Native Wildlife

Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

Native Wildlife

Otter, River

Lutra canadensis

Native Wildlife

Porcupine

Erethizon dorsatum

Native Wildlife

Rabbit, Brush

Sylvilagus bachmani

Native Wildlife

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Native Wildlife

Ring-Tailed Cat

Bassariscus astutus

Native Wildlife

Shrew, Fog

Sorex sonomae

Native Wildlife

Shrew, Pacific

Sorex pacificus

Native Wildlife

Shrew, Marsh

Sorex bendirii

Native Wildlife

Shrew, Trowbridge's

Sorex trowbridgii

Native Wildlife

Shrew, Vagrant

Sorex vagrans

Native Wildlife

Skunk, Spotted

Spilogale gracilis

Native Wildlife

Skunk, Striped

Mephitis mephitis

Native Wildlife

Squirrel, Douglas’

Tamiasciurus douglasii

Native Wildlife

Squirrel, Ground

Spermophilus beecheyi

Native Wildlife

Squirrel, Flying

Glaucomys sabrinus

Native Wildlife

Vole, Creeping

Microtus oregoni

Native Wildlife

Vole, Long-Tailed

Microtus longicaudus

Native Wildlife

Vole, Townsend’s

Microtus townsendii

Native Wildlife

Vole, Red-Backed

Clethrionomys californicus

Native Wildlife

Weasel

Mustela frenata

Native Wildlife

Woodrat, Bushy-Tailed

Neotoma cinerea

Native Wildlife

Woodrat, Dusky-Footed

Neotoma fuscipes

Native Wildlife

Bat, California

Myotis californicus

Oregon Species of Concern

Bat, Hoary

Lasiurus cinereus

Oregon Species of Concern

Marten

Martes americana

Oregon Species of Concern

Fisher

Martes pennanti pacifica

US Candidate Species

Bat, Fringed

Myotis thysanodes

US Species of Concern

Bat, Long-Eared

Myotis evotis

US Species of Concern

Bat, Long-Legged

Myotis volans

US Species of Concern

Bat, Silver-Haired

Lasionycteris noctivagans

US Species of Concern

Bat, Big-Eared

Corynhorinus townsendii

US Species of Concern

Bat, Yuma

Myotis yumanensis

US Species of Concern

Vole, Red Tree

Phenacomys longicaudus

US Species of Concern

Vole, White-Footed

Phenacomys albipes

US Species of Concern

A reviewable option to generate revenue would be a guided tour of the different sites included in the Elliott State Forest. One tour could be dedicated to the history of the forest. Another could be designed to teach the public about the forest and all its many features. Including: wildflower seeking, fungus finding, and old-growth forest viewing. The activities that require a higher cost to attend, is because an educated guide is needed to provide knowledge and safety during the trip. Potential $310/Day:

Activity

Time (Hrs.)

Cost/Adult

Capacity

Totals

History of Elliott

5

$6

10

$60

Scenic Vistas

6

$3

10

$30

Wildlife Search

5

$4

10

$40

Water Sources

6

$3

10

$30

Wildflower/Berry Seeking

5

$6

10

$60

Fungus Finding

6

$6

10

$60

Old-Growth Forest Viewing

4

$3

10

$30

Table 5.2. Commercial Elliott Sightseeing Opportunities.

Barriers that could put a halt on this topic would include roads and trails. If the roads are not maintained, then access to the different locations for viewing might not be possible within a day. Hiking to these locations could be possible. Starting in the morning would give more time for travel and exploring. Also, trails need to be cleared and maintained to allow for better access.

Having a map constructed of roads and trails. Then adding user friendly directions and locations of the different features and landmarks on the Elliott.

Installing signage for trail routes.

Having the option of speaking to a park ranger or someone familiar with the forest to give more insight about the different features available.

“Still another factor was that this forest is at once both aesthetically pleasing to most all visitors and economically very productive,” Jerry Phillips (1998: 413).


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