Originally published Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Portland man in pursuit of Oregon Coast trail
It's possible to walk the length of Oregon's coastline. Sometimes, however, you have to cheat a little — such as by walking on asphalt...
CORVALLIS — It's possible to walk the length of Oregon's coastline. Sometimes, however, you have to cheat a little — such as by walking on asphalt in populated areas.
Al LePage has begun walking the Oregon coast. He's doing so to spark public interest in completing the unfinished Oregon Coast Trail, and in preserving what remains of wild coastal landscapes.
"There are 50 missing links in the trail," he told the Corvallis Gazette-Times by cellphone from a spot on the coast south of Astoria. "It would be nice to connect all of those in the next several years."
LePage's trek is a reprise of a 360-mile hike he did 20 years ago to explore the proposed route of the Oregon Coast Trail.
The dream of creating a continuous oceanside walking route from the Columbia River to the California line dates back to 1971, when the Oregon Recreational Trails Advisory Council made the idea a matter of state policy.
Much of the route traverses sandy beaches or crosses rocky headlands. Maintained footpaths provide detours around some of the more rugged stretches, and travelers must sometimes consult pocket tide tables to take advantage of low water.
There also are portions where hikers have to walk on pavement.
LePage wants the state to finish the trail so users never have to do that.
"We're not talking about walking down the Oregon coast on Highway 101," said LePage, a dedicated trails advocate who lives in Portland and heads the National Coast Trail Association.
"A road is not a trail."
LePage began his encore hike of the Oregon Coast Trail on July 14, 20 years to the day after he began his first coastal trek. He plans to complete the journey on Aug. 12, just as he did in 1988, walking an average of 12 miles a day. He'll camp along the way, mostly in state parks.
So far, LePage has been struck by what hasn't changed. He cited Sunset Beach State Recreation Site as an example.
![]()
Today it's the terminus of the Fort to Sea Trail, a 6.5-mile path from the restored Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark made their quarters during the rainy, hungry winter of 1805-06. But the historic beach was preserved only after citizens stood up to protect it from development as a golf course and resort hotel.
"It was very close," LePage said.
LePage also has a bigger dream.
"My vision is to have what I call the West Coast Trail — 1,800 miles from Canada to Mexico," he told the Gazette-Times.
He's hiked that route, too, covering the 200-mile Washington leg in two weeks in 1992 and walking the 1,200-mile California portion over 3-½ months in 1996.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
Aberdeen soldier killed in Afghan bombing on Fourth of July
Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Sunday, Jul. 5th
- IKEA Summer Sale
- REI Summer Sale and Clearance
- Seattle Premium Outlets July 4th Summ...
- Kibbn Storewide Summer Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Russell Branyan, Mariners fight off the Red Sox
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin takes to Web for hints of political future
- Fourth of July festivals and fireworks in Seattle, the suburbs and beyond
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Tenn. police rule ex-QB McNair's death a homicide
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
786 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
164 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
132 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
118 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
112 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
103 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
96 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
64 - Seeking your questions
49
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Amtrak cleared for 2nd daily train to Vancouver, B.C.
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
- Pre-grill drill: marinate steaks
- Concert Review | Green Day blasts off 4th weekend with KeyArena show
