Slough to Sea Trail South Trail Stats Trail: Slough to Sea Trail South Location: Clatsop State Forest Distance: 2.3 miles (AllTrails.com) / 3.8 miles (I added some distance by starting at the Visitor’s Center) Difficulty: Moderate (Ups and down might be a bit much for creaky knees) ADA Accessible: Maybe. The trail looks like it might be designed for all mobilities, but the ups and downs are steep and at places kind of narrow. There was also a downed tree in the path when I went. Also, one of the bridges was under construction and I didn’t see any signage until I was at the bridge. Grade Padme’s Paws: 3 (out of 4) My rating: B+ (A to F) Summary The Slough to Sea trail offers a scenic and diverse hiking experience for dog owners, with beautiful wooded areas, bogs, and meadows to explore. While the trail provides plenty of natural obstacles and sensory stimulation for dogs, it also has some challenges, including a road crossing, boggy terrain, and steep hills. In this post, I share insights from hiking the trail with my dog, Padme, offering tips on water safety, trail conditions, and off-leash considerations to help you decide if this hike is right for your pup. Why It’s Good for Padme  I gave this trail 3 out of 4 Padme Paws, even though it’s a pretty, wooded trail—which usually guarantees a 4-paw rating from us. The biggest drawback is that the trail “starts” at a spot where you have to cross a road to reach it. I’m not a fan of that. There are alternative routes from the visitor center, like the Kwis Kwis trail, that connect to this one—but technically, it begins right next to a road. Another issue is the boggy terrain—at least in early May. Padme loves getting into little cricks to play and drink water, but the first one she jumped into from the boardwalk had her sinking almost to her elbows. I don’t love the idea of a bog swallowing my dog for lunch. This part of the trail made me think small dogs might need to be kept on trail at all times around the bog area. I’ve had smaller dogs before and they have a lot of energy. There was nothing about the terrain of this hike that would make me warn against bringing a small dog along, except for the bog. I will say, though, that the hills tired Padme out. I didn’t think so at the time, but she slept a lot that night and was even tired the next day. Just keep that in mind if you’re deciding whether to try this hike out. Speaking of water, as you can read in Tips and Resources, always bring enough water for you and your dog. I always bring too much, and if there’s a decision to be made about who gets more water, it’s going to be Padme. She likes to jump in creeks to play and to drink. PLEASE, when you’re hiking with your dog, pay attention to the water. If it’s running, it can still be bad—you don’t know what’s upstream. I’ve always risked it, to be honest, because in my head, running water means safer. If the water is still, like in a pond, make sure it’s clear and that there are no signs posted about things like algae blooms. Maybe even call ahead to local emergency vet offices to see if any issues have been reported. Obviously, if the water is murky or green, don’t let your dog drink it or play in it. There are a couple of quick-running cricks along the trail, and there is a water station at the visitor center, so you’ll still need to bring water for your dog. Lastly, I didn’t feel entirely comfortable letting her off-leash. I did it a couple of times—we never encountered other people or dogs—but there were spots with steep ledges or thick bogs where I didn’t want her running amok (literally). On the plus side, the trail had tons of interesting smells and natural “obstacles” that Padme loved. The hills were steep, which for some reason she enjoys—even if it means dragging me behind her. Trail Notes for Dog Owners   Footing: Mostly dirt and boardwalk; one downed tree required a short scramble, but the trail is otherwise clear. Terrain: Steep in places; not technical, but may tire dogs out. Water: Cricks along the trail and a water station at the visitor center; always bring extra for your dog. Off-leash: Not ideal; some steep edges and boggy areas make recall important. Best for: Energetic dogs who enjoy hills and exploring natural features. Small dogs may need supervision near bogs Why It’s Good for Me  After talking about hill training last week, I wanted to challenge myself a bit. While this trail isn’t very long, the elevation profile gave me pause. Once I crossed the road to reach the main trail, the first sign I saw read “Steep Hill.” They weren’t kidding. I’m proud of myself for doing it. It was tough—I was taxed and tired. As soon as I got back in the car, my back seized up and my sciatic nerve started screaming. I gritted my teeth all the way to the local grocery store and grabbed some IcyHot. About 30 minutes later, it eased up enough for the drive to be tolerable. The variety of landscapes makes this hike worth it. You’ll pass through sparse mountain woods, lush bogs full of giant waxy plants (which surely conceal forest death monsters), and unexpectedly beautiful meadows with tall grasses and sweeping views of the slough. Also, even though the hike is associated with Fort Clatsop, it is still very much in a forest. Be mindful of big cats and bears. Rangers say these animals generally aren’t aggressive toward humans, but you should still be cautious. And especially if you have small dogs, be aware that there are big raptors (like eagles) in the