Trail Overview
This route takes you from Flat Iron Mountain to Bloom Lake, then continues to a hill near the start of the Lost Lake trail in the Clatsop State Forest. While Bloom Lake is usually reached by a 1.25-mile hiking trail starting right off Highway 26, this path lets you drive most of the way via forest gravel roads. Bloom Lake is small but surrounded by fascinating coastal foliage—dense ferns, salmonberry, alder, and towering conifers that make it feel like a hidden gem in the woods.
Difficulty
The gravel road is smooth and mostly gentle in grade, except for the relatively moderate climb to the summit of the approximately 1,800-foot hill that overlooks Lost Lake.
History
Bloom Lake is a small, serene lake in the Clatsop State Forest within Oregon's northern Coast Range, surrounded by lush coastal foliage like dense ferns, salmonberry, alder, and towering conifers. Nestled at around 1,540 feet elevation above the Quartz Creek drainage, this tranquil, boggy spot offers a peaceful escape with vibrant green surroundings and occasional wildlife sightings. Parking at the lake is very limited.
