Backpacking Salmonberry River

We went backpacking up the eroded our railroad tracks up the Salmonberry River.
This was a wonderful kid friendly hike. Elliot was 6, Ian was 9, and Chris was 14 on this trip. We camped about 1 - 1.5 miles up the tracks from the parking area. The parking area is located at the end of the Lower Nahalem Road.

Getting there:
1. from Portland, OR HWY26 West to Lower Nahalem Road (just past the Elderberry Inn). About 35 miles from North Plains.
2. Turn south and follow Lower Nahalem Road until it ends at the washed out bridge on the Salmonberry (about 30 miles)

NOTE: Much of the L. Nahalem Road is gravel. Maps show the L. Nahalem turning into Foss Road. I didn't really see anywhere to merge or anything - there are no real opportunities to get lost.

Parking:
Parking is at the dead end road. There is room for MANY cars and cars can line the dead end dirt road - it's really wide.

Camping:
Camping is pretty much typical backpack camping. We found a nice spot right on the river. It was sort of a bushwhack to get to the site, but once we were there it was very nice. No people which is typical for a 'off the beaten path' site.

Precautions:
This is a very remote parking area, typical remote parking precautions (busted windshields, etc). Didn't see any signs of break-ins, but I wouldn't leave anything of value in my vehicle. Noticed many empty shells all over the tracks, assume hunters going crazy during hunting season months. Didn't hear any gun shots on our trip. Noticed spray painting on most signs/bridges. Noticed quad tracks in multiple areas - assume locals are vandalizing the area with easy access. I have a concealed permit and pack a pistol because I feel uncomfortable in areas like this. Chances are that nothing would ever happen, I'm just paranoid.

What made the trip great:
There are ZERO opportunities to get lost on this trip. The drive is super simple and the hike is along a railroad track! We had a great time. This was Elliots (6) first backpack trip. His pack was too big, we just used his school backpack. Ian did great with his Outdoor Essentials external frame youth pack I picked up for $35 at Campmore. This was my first overnight trip with my new Gregory Denali. The pack was fine, fit fine, etc. I'm still getting used to the rigid hip belt - it's comfortable but makes standing the pack up to pack/unpack a pain unless it's flat on the ground. I'm also not used to straps and parts of the pack falling all over the place when it's empty - it's messy.

The boys had a great time catching toads, playing in the water, throwing rocks, running around naked, and doing all the things boys love to do. No injuries to report which is fantastic. Elliot took a spill off a wet log and got the wind knocked out of him - he was fine. Dad panicked for a second, I was afraid he got impaled by a limb or something when he fell.

All in all a great trip.

-Dad