Trail Talk Thursday #14

Today's trail is located at Bonesteele County Park, located along the Aumsville Highway. The main trail head is located next to the eastern end of the parking lot, and descends into a wooded section on the property as it leaves a short dirt road that is gated off. Of course, many people start by walking uphill on that road instead of taking the slightly hidden trail. As you enter the forest on this trail, you come across a boardwalk that passes Spring Wildflowers.

As the trail continues, you will find that after walking uphill a short ways, the trail splits into two. The left trail will take you up to a section of forested hillside that is bordered by boulders before connecting with that short road that leads you back to the parking lot.

The right trail will take you out of the small forest and to another split in the trail. Taking a left here will follow the edge of the woods and down to the parking lot, while a right will take you around the perimeter of the rest of the park and offer a view of Mount Jefferson. The field located on the property also has many trails that cross it. For those of you that want to bring Fido, this park allows it as long as the dog remains on a leash and it's poop is picked up. With so many trail combinations to choose from, you and your pet can hike as little or as long as your dog is willing to go.

State Park Saturday #6

If you're the type of person that lives in the Portland metro area and want to find a new place to go hiking, or even some new stomping grounds for you favorite canine friend, you don't have to look far. Mary S. Young State Park, which is just a few miles northwest of Oregon City along the Willamette River, is the perfect place.
 

These rocks have steps carved into the back of them, allowing kids to climb on them.

I just so happened to check this place out a few days ago, and if anything, I was impressed by most of the park. As I personally don't think sports fields have a place in state parks, my first impression was that this was a glorified city park. But after finding out there were many trails, of which I didn't really walk on; several older buildings; and that most of the park seemed to be 2nd-growth Temperate Rainforest; I came to think that maybe I will have to come back someday to explore the trails. Some of the trails used to be where rails once were.

If you look closely, you can see a reflection of me taking a picture of this map.

I really liked the plants that were in bloom this time of year at the park. Trillium, False Solomon's Seal, Flowering Cherry Trees, and possibly many more blooming plants along the trails. Unfortunately, I saw two major invasive species there; English Ivy and Sticky Willy. Also it is unfortunate that I was not surprised by these two invasive species being there as English Ivy has taken over many parts of Portland and Sticky Willy has spread across the Willamette Valley like the wildfire for the past ten years.

 The flowers above are Trillium and the change from white to purple before they wither and fall off.

 The plant above is False Solomon's Seal.

The flowers above belonged to a Flowering Cherry Tree

So if you plan on going to Mary S. Young State Park, bring your dog along as this is one park Fido can enjoy. Until next Saturday, get outside and enjoy one of the many state parks in the great Oregon Outdoors.

State Park Saturday #5

Everyone knows about the Ice Ages and probably know about the Ice Age Floods known as the Missoula Floods that broke through an ice dam, scoured the topsoil off most of eastern Washington, tore a gap through the Cascade Mountains (Columbia River Gorge) and continued out to sea. Few people know the whole story about the floods: they happened hundreds of times throughout the Ice Ages, the flood water backed up into the Snake River when it got to the eastern edge of the Columbia Gorge, and also backed up in the Willamette Valley. 

As you can see from the photo above, the hike to the rock is pet friendly.

When the floodwater backed up in the Willamette Valley, it created a
400-ft deep lake. Icebergs from the collapsed ice dam floated into parts of the valley, and as the water receded, those icebergs were set down when they bumped into a hill that kept them from flowing out. Some of those icebergs had rocks from Montana inside them; those rocks are now called glacial erratics.

That brings us to the state park featured today: Glacial Erratic State Park. With roadside parking long enough to hold four or five cars, this little-known state park does not have a fee to visit.

A quarter mile trail leads up to several glacial erratics, the largest thought to be 90 tons, provides a perfect place for a picnic that has a great view of the surrounding landscape. The 90-ton boulder is thought to be the largest glacial erratic in the Willamette Valley, is composed of a metamorphic rock called Argillite.

 The view from the top of the hill.

So if you plan on going to Erratic Rock State Park, remember to leave the rock alone for others to enjoy as it has been estimated the people have broken off about 70 tons over the past several thousand years. And who knows, there might be Native American archeological evidence in the area that shows the rock being used as a millstone or something else. Until next Saturday, get outside and enjoy one of the many state parks in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Trail Talk Thursday #1

Rim Trail Hike

As the only trail at Silver Falls State Park to allow hikers with their pets to see a waterfall, the Rim Trail is perfect for those who don't want to leave their dog at home or back at their campsite. Depending on which end you want to start at, the Rim Trail can be more difficult one way than the other, especially if you have bad knees or hips and plan to walk to one end and back. Many people that hike this trail come from the South Falls Day Use Area, but a hiker can also start at the North Falls Parking Lot. A third option visitors have for a starting point is to start at either the Winter Falls Parking Lot, or North Falls Viewpoint.

If you are hiking from the South Falls Day Use Area, a 1.6 mile long trail will take you to the Winter Falls Parking Lot. This section of trail crosses paths with the paved Bike Trail, which some people walk on when the Rim Trail is muddy. On the north side of the Winter Falls Parking lot, is a trail that leads a short, but quite steep, distance to Winter Falls. If you are here during winter or early to mid-spring, it might be worth taking a look at. At any other time of year, the waterfall is a small trickle. Just remember, pets are not allowed on the Winter Trail.

As you hike over 0.5 miles further down the trail, you will come below the North Falls Viewpoint. At this spot you can see and hear North Falls, over a quarter a mile away. During the winter and early spring, its thunderous sound resonates within the canyon walls. At over 0.3 miles past the North Falls Viewpoint, the trail connects with the Canyon Trail and the Upper North Falls Trail. Many people with their pets turn around at this spot and complete the 5 mile trek, but some people take the short walk to Upper North Falls, adding nearly a half mile to their hike.

 North Falls from the North Falls Viewpoint in March (left picture) and in May (right picture

For those who started at the North Falls Parking Lot, the trail is reversed. Those who cannot walk their dogs the full five miles, have the option to choose which section or sections they hike. As with any hike, be prepared, as their might be mud, snow, ice, standing water, and/or large branches on the trail. Roots and rocks can also be sticking out as well. I would also suggest to make sure your dog can handle it in the type of conditions the trail or weather might be awaiting for you. One last reminder, if you decide to hike this trail between December and April, go on the Silver Falls State Park web page to check the current conditions of the trails.

So if you feel like taking your pet hiking with you, check out the Rim Trail at Silver Falls State Park. Until next time, get outside and have some happy trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.