Uncharted is a challenge series from Territory Run Co for the Greater Portland area that aims to get you out exploring new areas with pre-planned routes. While each area we highlight may not be new to you, we hope it inspires you to explore some lesser known areas.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Complete one of the listed routes below.

2. Log your run here. Once reviewed, you will receive an email with a merit badge. If you complete between the dates of January 1st - January 31st, this badge of completion awards you $10 in store credit for any Territory products.

3. For each challenge we will also offer a grand prize package. To be entered to win, complete the route between above dates, log it here, and tag us in a photo from your run on instagram.

4. To increase chances of winning grand prize you can also log that you visited post run locations listed below.

We will have Uncharted routes throughout the year and you will be able to collect merit badges from each. 

You can join the Uncharted Strava Group here.

WILSON RIVER TRAIL BACKGROUND

One of the best things about winter running is the solitude you find on the trails, and the Wilson River Trail in the Tillamook State Forest is the perfect place to experience it. Just an hour from Portland, this route is an ideal escape for those looking to lose themselves in the misty green of the Coast Range. Running this trail in January has a way of reminding you why you lace up in the first place- there’s an undeniable magic to the vibrant moss-covered trees, the sound of the rushing Wilson River, and the steady rhythm of your feet on the trail.

The Tillamook Forest is more than just a beautiful place to run- it’s a journey through a landscape shaped by fire, resilience, and renewal. This forest wasn’t always the lush, moss-draped haven it is today. In the early 20th century, this area was ground zero for one of Oregon’s most destructive natural disasters: the Tillamook Burn. The first fire, sparked by a logging operation in 1933, tore through old-growth forest with such ferocity that it created its own firestorm, consuming everything in its path. Over the next two decades, three more catastrophic fires followed, leaving over 350,000 acres of blackened wasteland. For years afterward, the hillsides were little more than a barren expanse of charred stumps and eroded soil.

But out of the ashes came one of the largest reforestation efforts in American history. Beginning in the 1940s, the Oregon Department of Forestry led a massive campaign to restore the land, enlisting everyone from professional foresters to local schoolchildren to plant millions of trees. Thanks to their efforts, the Tillamook was reborn. The Wilson River Trail winds through this restored landscape, offering runners a chance to connect not only with the forest’s natural beauty but also with its history.

The Wilson River itself has long been a lifeline for the region. Well before the fires and the logging boom, the indigenous Tillamook people relied on the river for salmon, clean water, and transportation through the Coast Range. Later, during the peak of the logging era, the river became a highway for timber, as logs were floated downstream to sawmills and ports. Today, it’s a recreational paradise, drawing anglers, hikers, and runners to its scenic banks and rushing waters.

The Wilson River Trail stretches over 20 miles point-to-point, starting at Elk Creek Campground on its eastern end and finishing at Keenig Creek Campground to the west. The best way to experience this trail, in my personal opinion, is to run it point-to-point, and thankfully, organizing a car shuttle for the route is surprisingly simple. Both Elk Creek and Keenig Creek Campgrounds are easily accessible just about a fifteen minute drive between one another. The shuttle makes it possible to fully immerse yourself in the flow of this stunning trail without having to double back. It’s an adventure that’s well worth the little bit of planning.

For those who prefer more flexibility or don’t want to organize a shuttle, the Wilson River Trail works just as well as an out-and-back route. You can tailor the distance to fit your goals, whether it’s a quick run to Jones Creek Campground and back or something longer. The trail’s rolling terrain and steady climbs make it a challenging but manageable winter training ground, with plenty of spots to pause, refuel, and take in the quiet beauty of the forest.

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20 Mile Route GPX File

After dropping a car at the finish at Keenig Creek, we will begin our route at the Elk Creek Campground. As you enter the campground off of Highway 6, continue all the way to the back lot, next to the creek. I should take a moment to warn you to drive slowly as you reach the Summit area near Gales Creek Campground on Highway 6 if you're driving from Portland. The highway is slowly sliding here and the roadway has become uneven.

Starting from Elk Creek Campground, the trail wastes no time pulling you into the deep green of the forest. Moss-draped trees arch overhead, and the soft, rain-packed dirt underfoot makes for a forgiving surface. The first major climb (and the biggest of the day) hits early, with switchbacks carrying you up through towering Douglas firs. It’s a solid effort, but the reward is worth it. As you crest the hill, you’ll catch glimpses of the Wilson River far below, winding through the forest like a silver thread. The descent is smooth and runnable, taking you down to the footbridge across the North Fork of the Wilson River.

 After crossing the bridge the trail veers left. Keep an eye across the river for a cool little waterfall. There is a short user path off on your left for a better view of the waterfall. The trail continues a bit further before crossing N Fork Wilson River Road and beginning to climb as we near Jones Creek and the Tillamook Forest Center.

You are soon going to come upon a very poorly marked reroute. A couple of years ago they closed the connection for the Wilson River Trail near the Forest Center to protect a strip of crucial salmon habitat in Jones Creek, but for whatever reason, they did not put good signs warning you the trail you are on will dead end. When you get to this junction it is important you take a right. I believe the sign marks it as an "Equestrian Trail" or something to that effect. Follow the provided .GPX track and you will be fine. This is the new Wilson River Trail and takes you around the closure of the Old Wilson River Trail. 

The trail will connect you back towards the original trail along the banks of the Wilson River. From this side, the trail closure we just routed around is clearly marked. Shortly ahead is the Tillamook Forest Center to our left, across the large bridge. But we are going to stay on the North side of the river and continue along our trail. 

As you continue westward, one of the most memorable landmarks of the trail appears, Wilson Falls. This long, narrow, multi-tiered waterfall plunges from an unnamed creek, splashing down across the Wilson River Trail as you pass directly through the spray of its lower tiers. The entire length of the waterfall, which stretches nearly 200 feet high, cannot be fully seen from the trail, but one of the great advantages of doing this route in the winter, when the forest canopy is bare, is you might catch glimpses of its upper reaches through the trees. In the rainy season the falls roar with life, cascading dramatically over moss-covered rocks and adding an extra layer of magic to this section of the trail.

Beyond Wilson Falls, the trail becomes more remote and rugged. Past the halfway point, you’ll pass Footbridge Trailhead. Shortly thereafter the trail crosses Wolf Creek Road and enters one of the most stunning sections of the entire route- the segment through the Wolf Creek drainage. This stretch is a personal favorite, with its winding path across several bridges then slowly climbing the steep hillsides above Wolf Creek. The sound of the creek below follows you as you run, a constant companion through this quiet, pristine part of the forest. The moss and ferns here are particularly vibrant, and the dense canopy of second-growth evergreens can best be described as lush. It’s the kind of place where you can lose yourself in the rhythm of your stride and feel completely immersed in the forest. The climb out of the Wolf Creek drainage is one of the trail’s final major efforts. The ascent is steady but manageable, and the views back down into the drainage make the effort worthwhile. From here, the trail begins its final push to Keenig Creek.

The last few miles undulate before soon dropping down towards Keenig Creek. After crossing Cedar Butte Rd, the trail begins its descent, which every time feel longer than I remember. It's a series of long switchbacks, which, I'm sure are nice if coming from the other direction, but feel a little drawn out when you're in the last mile. As you return back into the denser evergreen trees, you will know you are finally done. The Keenig Creek are is quiet this time of year, but in summer this is a popular swimming hole that can get quickly overcrowded. 

This trail truly shines in the winter months. While many trails turn into mud pits during the rainy season, the Wilson River Trail holds up remarkably well. Its well-drained soil stays firm underfoot, and the relatively low elevation means snow is rare and usually light. Storms may leave a few downed trees or scattered debris, but overall, the trail remains runnable year-round. The cool temperatures make the climbs more manageable, and the vibrant greens of the moss and ferns seem to come alive against the gray skies.