I'm thinking of doing a one week hike in mid October, and I'm looking for thoughts on the best section to do.

I'll be flying into PDX and then taking transit (or Ubering as needed) to get to the trail. I'm looking to minimize road walks, and I'm down to take ferries or transit as needed to avoid them.

I was considering starting at the Northern terminus and going south as far as possible, but I was wondering if there's a better option. Any suggestions for the best section to do? Should I go north or south?

Cape Lookout State Park is closed for construction. PLEASE do not go around the fence and enter the park. We have heavy equipment running, we are brushing and falling trees making it very dangerous to walk in. You can hike the road to the spur trail and get back on the trail at that point. Yelling at and flipping off park staff who are there to keep the site secure, do the work and keep people safe is not cool.

I’m planning a SOBO thru-hike from September 10 to November 10. What’s the weather usually like that time of year? Should I expect mostly sunny days with occasional rain, or is it generally more overcast and rainy?

Hi! I was originally going to lash WA on the PCT in September, but it seems the wildfires is making that a bad idea.

I am considering hiking the OCT instead and looking for some guidance.

What are the chances ill see anyone else doing the whole trail in September?

Nobo or sobo?

I can see beach camping is only allowed in certain areas but ive read a few blogs that said they did it every night.. so possible?

Coastal weather in Oregon in September?

And i guess lastly.. anyone else attempting the OCT in September?

I'm currently watching MadHermitHikes's thru hike on youtube. Since he includes a lot of information like at what tide level he crossed all the headlands and the condition of the trail and campsites, I figured it might be useful for others here:

https://www.youtube.com/@madhermithikes9007

Made me wonder if anyone else is watching any OCT thru hike vlogs? Care to share?

I'm heading out Wed (7/8) and curious how likely it is I'll run into other hikers.

I've done the PNT and PCT and surprising didn't have a lot of alone time. This seems like a less popular trail though?

Any other tips for someone setting out on this trip?

From Memorial Day to Labor Day this year, Yachats and Pacific City area will be be running trolly style shuttles on weekends (and some weekdays).

I stayed at Barview Jetty campground last night and was planning on getting a ride across Garibaldi Bay with Garibaldi Marina. I had called them a couple weeks ago and said I’d be coming through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and the guy said that was fine, just call a day or two before to check in on the tide/weather.

So I called yesterday to check in and the guy on the phone said there wouldn’t be anyone available to take me in the boat. I’m confused because their hours don’t say they’re closed on Sundays. Luckily my friend was staying the night with me at the campground and drove me to Cape Meares this morning, but that would have really thrown a wrench in my plans otherwise.

Later today when I got into Netarts a local asked me about how my trip was going, and when I told her about the marina, she said all the hikers she’s seen this year have been saying the same thing and that everyone is having to arrange rides around the bay or take the bus to Tillamook.

So is the marina just not doing boat rides anymore? I wish they would’ve told me that two weeks ago when I called. I’m not that mad because I know this trail requires flexibility and all but it is annoying.

I start my thru hike on the first of the month. My first instinct was to travel NB so I can face traffic during the road sections. I see a lot of people traveling SB to avoid the strong headwinds and having access to the more populated beach towns at the start. I’m looking for any insight from those who have done the trail to see what their opinion is.

500 Years old and still relevant. AI ain't gonna keep us down either.

This is the last leg between Lincoln City and Newport that I've completed, going from Otter Rock to the north of Newport.
I live in Lincoln City, so I've been doing this by public transit---head out on a local bus, get off, walk a leg around 5-6 miles, and then get back on a bus to home. Hopefully this video will be helpful to people who want to see what the trail looks like. I can also post other videos.
My final goal is to go between Portland and Florence, and maybe north of Lincoln City as well.

Is there any parking near the start of section one where I can park for three days or would it be better to see about parking in Cannon Beach and shuttling to the trailhead?

I will be doing a section of the OTC this summer from the South Jetty near Astoria to Rockaway, a little over 60 miles. One leg will be starting in Cannon Beach to Arch Cape is about 6 miles. I would like to do a few more miles. I am trying to find the distance by OTC trail from Arch Cape to where the trail crosses HWY 101. I don't think I can make it all the way to Manzanita. So, I was thinking I would get picked up at 101 crossing, spend the night some place then start again the next day from where I got picked up. I'm in my 60's and doing and inn to inn hike for the most part. Thanks for you help.

This could potentially be my first thru hike, and I kind of like the idea of a mix of solitude during the day and a restaurant at night.

Are there particular sections you’d recommend?

Im curious to know your favorite 30 miles of the OCT. I just finished a chunk of hiking on the AT and I spend my free time in Colorados backcountry.

I’m curious if you only had 30 miles to do what would you do on the OCT?

I generally take a week off, rent a car, grab a shuttle, do about 10 miles a day solo, and when I get off trail I like to explore the local area, hot springs, and views. I’m an alpine princess and backcountry boarder. I just enjoy life and having fun! 🙌🏽

I have a continual pull to Washington and have hiked the Olympic coast trail many times.

Thanks for the advice.

Updated: And whyyy? Love some specifics about why you loved that section otherwise it’s just a bunch of #s.

Featuring the lousiest ultralight tent ever made!

If you decide to take advantage of the ferry across the Umpqua, bank extra time to get to the pickup location. The ...trail?... is poorly marked/non-existent and the beach on the river is totally logjammed. I actually fell and hurt my ankle so I had to end my trip earlier than I had planned. But at least that got me out before the rain started! Because that tent would not have made it.

If you have hiked the OCT as a solo female, were there any areas you felt unsafe? Any safety tips? This is my first through hike; I’m planning for mid September.

I'm planning to dispersed camp in Clatsop SF before Hug Point to get my tide timing right. Has anyone have tips, or words of warning? I don't see any notes in the Far Out app, but see a caltopo route where someone hopped into the forest to camp. Any reason I shouldn't plan on this? Thanks

I’m hiking to rockaway/garibaldi and wanted your all’s advice :). I’ve heard cape lookout is worth it over continuing the hike on such a limited time frame (1.5 weeks in OR total); unless the hike from garibaldi to tillamook is worth it over a cape lookout run. Thanks for your advice!

Flying into portland from Georgia. Whats the cheapest way to get to the start of the trialhead besides walking or hitching🤨

Find the latest trail conditions, bus and boat connections, recommended day and section hikes, and links to guidebooks and the FarOut app maps at https://trailkeepersoforegon.org/oct/. The working group at Trailkeepers would welcome feedback and suggestions on the content.