Soapstone Lake

Soapstone Lake is located within the Coast Range of Clatsop County, Oregon. The lake supports waterfowl, trout, newts, and a host of other woodland creatures.

There are hiking trails from the trailhead along OR-53, as well as a logging road off Cole Mountain Road.

Finnish pioneer Erik Lindgren’s original homestead was about 1/4 mile north of Soapstone Lake. The relocated cabin now resides at Cullaby Lake in Warrenton, Oregon.

Historical Significance

Hamlet Community

Since the earliest homesteaders settled in the Hamlet area, Soapstone Lake remained a popular location for outdoor recreation, and was even the homestead site for the Piekkola family. People have long enjoyed fishing, swimming, canoeing, and walking on the floating logs throughout the lake. Below are select photos taken by Marie Holst Pottsmith during her stay in 1908.

A photograph of Mrs. Albert Hill, Henry Piekkola, and two others standing on a log in a body of water. Henry Piekkola’s house is visible in the background and is surrounded by tree stumps.
A landscape photograph of Soapstone Lake. Four people are visible in the water with a boat. A fence and structure are visible through the foliage on the shore.
A photograph showing Henry Piekkola’s tree stump house, which included three stories containing a living, dining, and kitchen area, a bedroom, and an attic for storage. One person stands on a log extending out from the stump and another person sits below. They are surrounded by ferns and trees. See also: item 72.
A photograph showing Henry Piekkola’s tree stump house. One person stands on a log extending out from the stump, another person sits below, and a third person leans out of a window. They are surrounded by ferns and trees. See also: item 43.
A photograph of Mrs. Albert Hill, Henry Piekkola, and two others standing on a log in a body of water. Henry Piekkola’s house is visible in the background and is surrounded by tree stumps.
A landscape photograph of Soapstone Lake. Four people are visible in the water with a boat. A fence and structure are visible through the foliage on the shore.
A photograph showing Henry Piekkola’s tree stump house, which included three stories containing a living, dining, and kitchen area, a bedroom, and an attic for storage. One person stands on a log extending out from the stump and another person sits below. They are surrounded by ferns and trees. See also: item 72.
A photograph showing Henry Piekkola’s tree stump house. One person stands on a log extending out from the stump, another person sits below, and a third person leans out of a window. They are surrounded by ferns and trees. See also: item 43.

Lake Location and Directions

Located within Clatsop County, Oregon, the Soapstone Lake is approximately 9 miles south of the Necanicum Junction of US-26 and OR-53. It is located in section 14 of Township 4 North, Range 9 West from the Willamette Principal Meridian.

Directions

There are a few ways to get to the Soapstone Lake either from OR-53, or from Hamlet, Oregon.

Update: The route from OR-53 to the southern trailhead is currently gated off at the two available roads from that highway. The primary trailhead off OR-53 remains opened. (Updated April 2024)

From US-26 to the Northern Trailhead: At the Necanicum Junction of US-26 and OR-53, drive south on OR-53 for approximately 4.5 miles. Turn left at the sign for Soapstone Lake Trailhead. Drive 1/4 mile to the trailhead parking.

From OR-53 to the Southern Trailhead: Approximately 7 miles south of the US-26, turn east on to North Fork Road and immediately keep left onto Cole Mountain Road. When you come to a large intersection, at 1.2 miles, go up to the left. Drive 0.3 miles, and at the X-intersection, take a slight left through the intersection and continue 0.3 more miles. Take a sharp right, and continue 0.5 miles to where an open parking area is on the right.

From Hamlet to the Southern Trailhead: Beginning near the Hamlet Schoolhouse, turn south onto Hill Road. When you come to a “Y” in the road, at 2 miles, turn right which continues as Hill Road/Cole Mountain Road. Continue on Cole Mountain Road for 3.5 miles, then take a sharp right onto the road going up. Drive 0.3 miles, and at the X-intersection, take a slight left through the intersection and continue 0.3 more miles. Take a sharp right, and continue 0.5 miles to where an open parking area is on the right.

references

  1. “Soapstone Lake Loop Hike”, OregonHikers.org, April 24, 2024, https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Soapstone_Lake_Loop_Hike
  2. “Soapstone Lake Trail”, Oregon Department of Forestry, https://apps.oregon.gov/application/PDFDownload/ODF/Clatsop/soapstonelakehikingtrailmap.pdf
  3. “Highway 53 Soapstone Lake Hiking Trails”, Clatsop State Forest Trail Guide, https://digital.osl.state.or.us/islandora/object/osl%3A247231/datastream/OBJ/view
  4. Marie Holst Pottsmith photographs, Org. Lot 460, Oregon Historical Society Research Library, https://digitalcollections.ohs.org/org-lot-460-marie-holst-pottsmith-photographs
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