wanderingyuncks

Hand Lake – 08/01/2026

When we were working on our quest to complete at least a portion of all 100 featured hikes in William L. Sullivan’s “100 Hikes/Travel Guide Central Oregon Cascades” (post) there were several hikes that for one reason or another we did not hike the entire route described in the book. One of those hikes was Hand Lake.

Sullivan’s entry for Hand Lake is a 2.6-mile lollipop loop starting from the Hand Lake Trailhead along Highway 242 (McKenzie Pass). The highlights of the hike are the Hand Lake Shelter at the 0.5-mile mark, a short crossing of a lava field on a portion of the old McKenzie Wagon Road, and Hand Lake. The route of this hike shares a portion of another featured hiked, Benson Lake (the 9.7-mile loop option). When we did that hike we saw the wagon road, the lake and visited the shelter, so we counted that as enough to check off the hike. Today we planned on hiking the remaining portion of the hike and revisiting the sights along the Benson Lake Loop.

The trailhead is a pullout along the east side of the highway across from a hiker symbol.

Interpretive sign at the trailhead about bees.

Yarrow

The trail itself begins just to the NW on the opposite side of the highway.

Wilderness registration box, Central Cascade Wilderness Permit information, and a map.

From the signboard the Hand Lake Cutoff Trail leads into the Mt. Washington Wilderness, and the exits the wilderness, before arriving at the Hand Lake Shelter at the half mile mark.

Entering the wilderness area.

Sickletop lousewort

Goldenrod

Leaving the wilderness area.

Meadow just before the shelter.

Alpine gentians. We planned on checking in on these on our way out knowing that they would be open once sunlight hit them.

The Hand Lake Shelter

At the shelter we had to decide which direction we wanted to hike the loop. In this case we considered the steepness of the trails, what time we thought it would be best to visit the summit of Scott Mountain, and how difficult finding the old Santiam Wagon Road would be. For this loop we knew going clockwise would be less steep and we were familiar with the location of the old Santiam Wagon Road junction with the Hand Lake Trail. It was also the longer route to the summit of Scott Mountain which would allow more time for the sun to move higher overhead creating a better view of the Cascade Mountains to the east. Clockwise it was. We took stock of the trail heading into the meadow at the shelter that would be our return route and continued on the Hand Lake Cutoff Trail to the Hand Lake Trail.

Our return route.

Wildflower near the Hand Lake Trail junction.

Aster

At the junction we turned left onto the Hand Lake Trail and followed it 1.5-miles to the Benson/Tenas Trailhead passing Scott Lake along the way.

Prince’s pine

Lupine

We had to be on the lookout for these little guys most of the day.

Hardhack

The northern end of Scott Lake.

North Sister from Scott Lake.

False hellebore

The Benson/Tenas Trailhead.

Just before the gate we turned right onto the Benson Lake Trail.

The Benson Lake Trail. The post was missing a sign.

The Benson Lake Trail climbs gradually for 1.3-miles to Benson Lake which sits just inside the Mt. Washington Wilderness.

Grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scoparium) is a variety of huckleberry. The plant has small berries that are some of my favorites.

Pinesap unfurling.

Pinesap further along.

Pinedrops along the trail.

Pinedrops

Beardtongue

The trail entering the Mt. Washington Wilderness.

Benson Lake

Pond near Benson Lake.

I turned down this signed user trail to visit the lakeshore.

The best view from the lake is actually atop the rocks to the right across the lake. We visited that spot when we hiked around the lake on a backpacking trip in 2016 (post).

After visiting Benson Lake, we continued on the loop. The trail continued to gradually climb reaching a junction with the Tenas Lake Trail in just under a mile.

Fireweed

Red-breasted nuthatch making its way down a tree.

Blueberries

We detoured a tenth of a mile down the Tenas Lakes Trail to visit the first, and largest, of the Tenas Lakes.

We returned to the Benson Lake Trail and in another 0.2-miles arrived at the Scott Mountain Trail junction.

Scott Mountain from an unnamed lake/pond.

We stayed right at the junction and followed the Scott Mountain Trail 0.8-miles uphill to yet another junction. This time with the Scotty Way Trail.

Moth

Paintbrush

At this junction we faced a choice, stay on the Scott Mountain Trail and climb 0.6-miles to the summit or stick to the loop and turn right onto the Scotty Way Trail. The skies were too clear to pass up the view atop Scott Mountain, so we began the 320′ climb to the summit.

Arrowleaf groundsel

Subalpine mariposa lily

Thistle

Approaching the summit meadows.

The Three Sisters and The Husband.

Black Crater (post) straight ahead. To the left through the trees is Belknap Crater (post).

Mt. Jefferson with a cloud in front then Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington and Belknap Crater.

Diamond Peak (post) to the south from the summit.

In front of Diamond Peak from left to right are Mt. Ray (post), Fuji Mountain (post), and Waldo Mountain (post).

A tiny glimpse of Mt. Hood above the ridge to the left of Mt. Jefferson (still mostly hidden). Three Fingered Jack with Hoodo (rounded) and Hayrick (flat top) Buttes in front.

Proxy Point in between North and Middle Sister with Little Bother in front of North Sister.

Mt. Washington

Fritillary

Benson Lake from Scott Mountain.

After a nice break at the summit, we headed back down to the Scotty Way Trail. I detoured briefly on the way down to explore the crater area and found another nice view of the Three Sisters.

Small crater near the summit of Scott Mountain.

Orange agoseris

View west of the McKenzie River Valley.

Back on the Scott Mountain Trail.

California tortoiseshell

Mt. Jefferson almost came out as we were descending the Scott Mountain Trail.

On the Scotty Way Trail.

The Scotty Way Trail is steeper than either of the Benson or Scott Mountain Trails and in the next 1.7-miles we lost 720′ of elevation before arriving at the Hand Lake Trail.

Entering the 2010 Scott Mountain Fire scar.

Mt. Washington and Belknap Crater.

Fireweed and pearly everlasting.

Felt-leaf everlasting

The Three Sisters

Coming up to the Hand Lake Trail.

Members of the Scorpions Trail Crew worked on the tread here as well as clearing a few logs between the junction and the Hand Lake Trailhead on 7/30.

We turned right onto the Hand Lake Trail and continued descending.

The trail neared the lava flow which we would eventually be crossing on the old McKenzie Wagon Road.

It was approximately 1.2-miles from the Scotty Way Trail junction to the wagon road which is not signed nor was it currently marked by anything.

The unnaturally flat(ish) surface of the wagon road gives it away.

We turned left onto the old Wagon Road.

It wasn’t the easiest walking, but luckily it was only a tenth of a mile across the lava flow.

The Three Sisters and The Husband from the wagon road.

The end of the lava crossing.

At the far end of the wagon road we turned right along the lava flow.

While not an official trail there was a faint path, however there were also a number of downed trees.

At the end of the lava flow is the lakebed for Hand Lake. The lake’s water level drops each Summer and with the dry year we’ve had there wasn’t a lot of water left in the lake.

Butterfly on pusspaws.

Lupine

We picked up the trail we’d seen that morning in a rocky area and followed it to the shelter.

We stopped to check on the gentians before following the Hand Lake Cutoff Trail back to the trailhead.

My GPS showed 12-miles for the hike although two tenths of that was exploration on Scott Mountain. Total elevation gain was approximately 1400′.

This was a fun hike allowing us to finish Sullivan’s hike in its entirety and also revisit some places we’ve enjoyed in the past. Today’s view from Scott Mountain was also the best one we’d had in our three summits. We did get some sad hiking news later when it was confirmed that the Flag Point Lookout (post) in the Mt. Hood National Forest had been lost to the Grasshopper Fire. This was a sad loss and a reminder to us of why we have been so focused on visiting as many different trails and places as possible before they are lost.

Hopefully there is some relief in the fires soon, but until then stay safe and happy trails!

Flickr: Hand Lake

Tags Benson Lake, Benson Lake Trail, Benson/Tenas Trailhead, Hand Lake, Hand Lake Shelter, Hand Lake Trail, Hand Lake Trailhead, hiking, Mt. Washington Wilderness, Old McKenzie Wagon Road, Oregon, Scott Lake, Scott Mountain, Scott Mountain Trail, Scotty Way Trail, Tenas Lakes, Tenas Lakes Trail

High Cascades Hiking Mt. Hood Area Oregon Trip report

Elk Cove – 07/25/2026

Heather was able to join me for the final hike of my vacation which we’d decided would be the Elk Cove Trail on Mt. Hood. Located on the north side of the mountain the Elk Cove Trailhead was the only trailhead providing access to Mt. Hood’s Timberline Trail that we had not yet been to. Most of the others we’d used as trailheads while a couple we’d hiked through as part of a loop.

Be aware that high clearance vehicles are currently recommended to access this trailhead and Laurence Lake due to the access road having been washed out by the Eliot Branch. Our Outback had no issues. We made the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Salem arriving shortly after 7am and set off on the trail.

The trail begins by crossing Pinnacle Creek.

Pinnacle Creek

For the first 1.25-miles the trail follows an old roadbed to the former trailhead. The trail also passes through the 2011 Dollar Lake Fire scar for its entire length.

Black cap raspberries

Signs of the 2011 fire.

Scouler’s bluebells

First view of Mt. Hood. One result of losing nearly all the trees in the fire is the trail now offers numerous excellent views of the mountain.

Woodland beardtongue

The location of the former trailhead. Here the trail leaves the old roadbed a switchbacks up to gain the ridge.

Trail sign announcing Elk Cove is just 3.9-miles away.

On the lower portion of the ridge some of the trees avoided crowning and survived the fire.

Mt. Adams was also visible to the north.

Mt. Adams

Mt. Hood from the ridge.

The trail followed the ridge which provides no cover from the sun, but the views are spectacular.

Fireweed

Mt. Adams again.

Probably Cascade aster.

Lupine along the trail.

To the right is the namesake pinnacle of Pinnacle Ridge. We hiked that ridge to Elk Cove in 2014 (post), but recent reports indicate that it is in rough shape and in need of maintenance.

Owl Point (post) to the NW.

There are two saddles along the ridge which provide some downhill on the way up to Elk Cove which also means uphill on the way back down to the trailhead.

Yarrow

Bird on a snag with the Coe Glacier behind.

The ridge to the right across the Hood River Valley is Surveyors Ridge (post) with Bald Butte (post) the hump toward the left end.

Both Compass Creek and the Coe Branch flow down the valley to the left (east) of the ridge. Straight ahead about 3/4 up this photo is Cannon Ball Falls, a.k.a. Lower Compass Creek Falls.

Blurry attempt at zooming in on the falls in the afternoon.

Starting down the second saddle.

Mountain bluebird

The Coe Glacier on Mt. Hood.

Once we had successfully climbed out of the second saddle we stopped for a short break where we were visited by an inquisitive hummingbird.

Beyond the second saddle the ridge widened and flattened considerably, and the number of blooming wildflowers also increased considerably.

Barrett Spur (post)

There was also more blowdown on the upper portion of the trail but nothing that was too difficult to navigate.

The fireweed was in full bloom higher up.

More aster

False hellebore

Pearly everlasting and fireweed

Goldenrod

Just over 4-miles from the trailhead the trail crosses Cove Creek, the first water source along the trail since the Pinnacle Creek crossing at the trailhead.

These logs provided a dry crossing.

Lewis’ monkeyflower. We stopped here on the way down and Heather topped off her water.

Monkeyflower

Paintbrush

After a short break at the creek we continued on.

The trail up from the creek.

Orange agoseris

Dark-eyed junco

One-sided wintergreen with a dwarf bramble blossom behind.

Robin

Valerian

The trail soon entered a dry gully that was at one time a creek bed and followed it for a bit before climbing out and entering meadows shortly before arriving at the Timberline Trail.

Purple sanicle

Campsites at the edge of the meadow.

Sub-alpine fleabane

Sign ahead at the junction of the Timberline and Elk Cove trails.

We headed right on the Timberline Trail to Cove Creek where Heather was going to take a break. I decided to continue up the Timberline Trail from Elk Cove to visit a talus field where I hoped to spot a pika (or two). Even if I didn’t see a pika I knew from previous trips that there was yet another good view of the mountain from the trail as it descended into Elk Cove.

The Timberline Trail crossing at Cove Creek.

Monkeyflower and a couple of lupine

Mt. Hood from the crossing.

There was a lot of aster blooming in Elk Cove.

Western pasque flower seedhead.

Bistort

Monkeyflower lining Cove Creek.

As I approached the talus slope I could hear multiple pikas.

I was able to spot one of the little guys.

Surveyors Ridge from the talus slope.

Waterfalls on the mountain.

Barrett Spur in front of Mt. Hood.

I continued a little further up the Timberline Trail to visit a wildflower filled hillside before returning to Elk Cove.

After meeting back up with Heather and showing her to the monkeyflower lined section of Cove Creek we returned to the Elk Cove Trail junction, but continued a little further on the Timberline Trail for another view of the mountain.

A spur trail next to a no camping sign leads to this view from Elk Cove.

Flowers along the spur trail.

We finally decided it was time to head back so we returned to the Elk Cove Trail and started down.

It was a fairly uneventful but pleasant descent. We had passed by backpacker on her way out during our climb up to Elk Cove and passed 9 or 10 hikers on their way up the trail on our way back. Those are pretty small numbers for a weekend. We did see a number of people while at Elk Cove, but the north side of the mountain is much less crowded than other areas around the mountain.

Sickletop lousewort

Checkerspot on pearly everlasting

Felt-leaved pearly everlasting

A cinquefoil

Penstemon

Golden chinquapin

A duskywing

A sulphur

Laurence Lake from the trail before descending to the old trailhead.

Laurence Lake

Back on the old roadbed.

Ripe thimbleberries!

Back at the trailhead.

My exploring brought this hike for me to 11.1-miles with approximately 2500′ of elevation gain making it the most milage I’d done since January and the most elevation gained since December 2025. While I’m not back to 100% it seems, I’m heading the right direction.

This was one of our favorite approaches to the Timberline Trail. The combination of big views and fewer people was a big plus. The lack of shade on the ridge would make it less appealing on a hot day though. Whatever route you take Elk Cove is a worthwhile goal. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Elk Cove

Tags Barrett Spur, Cove Creek, Elk Cove, Elk Cove Trail, Elk Cove Trailhead, hiking, Mt. Hood, Mt. Hood Wilderness, Oregon, timberline trail, wildflowers

Diamond Peak Area High Cascades Hiking Oregon Trip report

Salt Creek Falls to Vivian Lake – 07/23/2026

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date July 27, 2026
No Comments on Salt Creek Falls to Vivian Lake – 07/23/2026

For the third time during the week the forecast for a planned hike in the Cascades showed clear skies when I went to bed but then it showed areas of patchy smoke when I rechecked in the morning. The first two times I pivoted to a hike on the Oregon Coast but on Thursday I decided to risk the “areas of smoke” before 11am forecast for Salt Creek Falls and Vivian Lake. The smokey conditions are the result of numerous lightning caused wildfires. Over 2000 strikes were recorded in Oregon on 7/15/26 and another reported 8357 ground strikes occurred on 7/22/26. The staggering number of strikes combined with extremely dry conditions led to some large fast-growing fires in Central and Eastern, Oregon. At least two of my high school classmates have had to evacuate due to the Akawa Butte Fire north of Sisters.

The area around the Diamond Peak Area had thus far avoided any large fires and the handful of small starts had all been quickly contained which is why I had looked at revisiting our 2013 hike from Salt Creek Falls to Vivian Lake (post). I arrived at the Salt Creek Falls Day Use Area just before 6am and was happy to find that there was no smell of smoke in the air.

I started by heading for Salt Creek Falls where there is ongoing construction at the main overlook. (A sign noted that the area is closed when construction is happening and other access routes need to be used, but there was no construction happening yet today.)

Beyond the construction there is a viewpoint of the falls and the start of the Salt Creek Falls Trail.

While we’d been to this waterfall twice before we had never gone down the trail.

The trail descends steeply losing approximately 200′ of elevation to a railed viewpoint of the 286′ waterfall.

Salt Creek Falls is an impressive waterfall, and the basalt cliffs add to the visual appeal.

I trudged back up from the lower viewpoint and followed the paved path along the cliff to the top of the falls.

From the top of the falls I stayed right at junctions and crossed Salt Creek on a footbridge where a sign announced the Diamond Creek Falls Trail.

Salt Creek

On the far side of Salt Creek, and after crossing another small footbridge, the trail split.

The split is the start of the Diamond Creek Falls Loop.

The trail to the right provides the shortest distance to Diamond Creek Falls and also offers access to Too Much Bear Lake so that is the direction I headed.

Warning sign at the start of the loop.

After a brief climb I came to the first cliff edge viewpoint.

I then detoured down a use trail to visit Too Much Bear Lake.

The first use trail didn’t provide much a view of the lake.

One of two great blue herons that I did see from the first use trail.

Back up on the trail along the basalt cliffs.

I detoured again down to Too Much Bear Lake on a better use trail that did bring me to the edge of the lake.

After my second foray down to the lake, I continued on the loop.

There were several short spurs that led to viewpoints on the right.

This spur led to an obstructed view of Lower Diamond Creek Falls, which according to the NW Waterfall Survey, has a height of 180′ over 4 drops.

Lower Diamond Creek Falls from the viewpoint.

Zoomed in on the waterfall.

Continuing on the loop the trail passes near the top of Lower Diamond Creek Falls.

The trail continues a gradual climb to a junction 1.3-miles from the start of the loop. The trail to the right is signed “Lower Diamond Creek Falls” however this is an error, and the spur trail actually descends to Diamond Creek Falls.

I turned down the spur trail and descended to a footbridge over Diamond Creek.

Musk monkeyflower

Shortly after crossing the bridge the trail brings you to 134′ Diamond Creek Falls, in my opinion one of Oregon’s prettiest.

The setting adds to the beauty.

In 2013 we had visited on July 4th and were hounded by mosquitos, but today the waterfall was mosquito free, so I was able to enjoy the waterfall and explore as I liked.

Yellow willowherb

I’m assuming this is an arnica of somesort.

After spending some time at the waterfall I returned back up to the loop and continued on to an overlook of the waterfall.

Sickletop lousewort near the overlook.

Just beyond the overlook the trail split again at an unsigned junction. The loop continued to the left while the Vivian Lake Trail headed uphill to the right.

I headed right and began the 2.2-mile climb to Vivian Lake. For the first 0.3-miles the trail crossed some swales, Diamond Creek using a road bridge, and climbed to a railroad crossing.

Prince’s pine

Bugbane

>
Columbine

Approaching the road.

Fireweed

Diamond Creek

The trail continuing on the other side of the bridge.

Gnome plant was prevalent in the forest.

More swales

The railroad tracks.

No trains today but the tracks are in use.

On the far side of the tracks there are two trails, an obvious old roadbed and a narrower trail to the roadbeds right. They will both get you to the same place, but the narrower trail is the official Vivian Lake Trail (it’s also shorter) and the one I took.

A quarter mile beyond the railroad tracks the trail comes to a wilderness registration box at the edge of the Diamond Peak Wilderness.

While I was filling out the self-issued permit I felt a bite near my right elbow and looked down to see three mosquitos there. There was another on my left arm and none of them had reservations so I dispatched of them and quickly continued on. After 75 yards I realized I no longer had hiking poles so I had to turn around and go back to the kiosk to retrieve them. After gathering my poles I again headed toward Vivian Lake.

Twinflower

Lupine

Sugar sticks

Mushrooms

Hedgenettle

One-sided wintergreen

The trail climbed steeply at times passing a very obscured view of Middle Fall Creek Falls.

You can hear the waterfall much better than you can see it.

There is a much better view of Fall Creek Falls 1.3-miles from the Diamond Creek Falls Loop.

Spur to the viewpoint above Fall Creek Falls.

Fall Creek Falls

Beyond Fall Creek Falls the trail leveled a bit as it traveled above Fall Creek before steepening again prior to reaching a signed junction near Vivian Lake.

Rosy spirea

Clasping arnica

Approaching the signed junction. The trail to the right leads to the lake while the Vivian Lake Trail continues to the left to Notch Lake and eventually the Vivian Lake Trailhead (post).

I followed the trail to Vivian Lake and made my way to some campsites where I took a break on the lakeshore.

There were a few mosquitos in this area, but they were absent from the lakeshore.

Frog in the grass.

My break spot.

My only company at the lake were a few ducks who kept their distance.

Aside from an occasional faint smell of smoke and some haze depending on the direction I was looking the fires weren’t an issue.

Just as I was about to leave the clouds began to break up and I decided to make my way around the lake a bit to try and get a view of the top of Mt. Yoran.

Mt. Yoran

After getting my view of Mt. Yoran I made my way back to the Vivian Lake Trail, stopping often to admire the scene at the lake.

Once I was back to the Vivian Lake Trail I headed downhill toward the Diamond Creek Falls Loop.

On my way down I spotted something coming up the trail below me.

It wasn’t another hiker, but rather a young buck who stopped and stared at me through the trees.

We stared at one another for a while then I told him I was heading that way. Proving deer are smarter than cows he turned around and took a couple of steps down the trail, then left the trail and bounded away from me uphill through the brush. Cows would have taken a few steps down the trail, stopped, looked back at me and then taken a few more steps down the trail. This would have repeated for a half mile or more and resulted in the trail being carpet bombed with cow pies, but I digress.

Back to the hike when I finally reached the Diamond Creek Falls Loop I turned right and completed the loop.

False hellebore

Snacks included blueberries, huckleberries, and a ripe salmonberry.

The Diamond Creek Falls Loop.

Rhododendron lined the trail. The loop is a great hike for rhododendron earlier in the year but that is also typically mosquito time.

Mount David Douglas from the trail.

The trail crossed two roadbeds.

Completing the loop.

I recrossed Salt Creek then turned right looping around the picnic area to return to the trailhead parking lot next to a Diamond Creek Falls Trail sign.

I somehow managed to turn my GPS off after marking the trailhead and didn’t catch it until I was at Too Much Bear Lake so I had to fill in the first part of the track manually. Based on the additional information I did get, this hike was between 9.5 and 10 miles with 1900′ of elevation gain.

Even though it was a Thursday I was surprised that I only passed one other person on the trails, and that was shortly before I completed the Diamond Creek Falls Loop. There were a few cars at the trailhead and people headed to Salt Creek Falls but I’d had the trails almost entirely to myself. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Salt Creek Falls to Vivian Lake

Tags Diamond Creek Falls, Diamond Creek Falls Loop, Diamond Peak Wilderness, Fall Creek Falls, hiking, Oregon, Salt Creek Falls, Too Much Bear Lake, Vivial Lake, Vivian Lake Trail

Central Coast Hiking Oregon Oregon Coast Trip report

Cape Kiwanda to Sand Lake – 07/22/2026

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date July 24, 2026
No Comments on Cape Kiwanda to Sand Lake – 07/22/2026

As I suspected weather and wildfire smoke steered me back to the Oregon Coast for Wednesday’s hike. I turned to the Oregon Hikers Field Guide and decided to try their Sand Lake – Cape Kiwanda hike. I started from the Tierra Del Mar Trailhead as described but instead of going north to Sand Lake first I decided to start by heading south to Cape Kiwanda. The reason for my choice is that the beach between Tierra Del Mar and Cape Kiwanda is open to vehicles while the northern stretch is closed to vehicles. I figured I was more likely to run into vehicles the later it got.

It was a typically foggy summer morning along the coast which kept Cape Kiwanda hidden until I had covered most of the 1.7-miles to the Cape.

Early morning beach walkers.

Miles Creek Point. At higher tides it may not be possible to walk around the rocks here.

Miles Creek

Cape Kiwanda

Pigeon guillemots (I think)

To reach to top of Cape Kiwanda I needed to climb the large dune behind it.

It’s a nearly 240′ slog up the sand dune.

I did a little exploring at the top of Cape Kiwanda and found a few ripe huckleberries which were a consolation prize given the lack of a view.

Pearly everlasting

Rose

Huckleberries

After the exploration I took a break on some sandstone and had a snack. The Sun was working on burning off the morning fog.

Pacific City (post) to the south of Cape Kiwanda.

After the break I headed back down the dune and began the 3.8-mile hike north to Sand Lake.

Yarrow

Finch

The bottom of the dune.

As I headed north a little blue sky started breaking through.

Miles Creek Point.

If the tide is too high to get around the point you’d need to climb over this mudstone slope.

The fog and Sun locked in battle.

Cape Lookout (post) in the distance.

Tierra Del Mar

A few people were fishing near Tierra Del Mar.

Sand dollar

I had intended to turn inland into Sitka Sedge State Natural Area (post) which the ORH Field Guide said could be done at emergency locator 34B. I completely missed 34B but saw 34A at the southern end of the snowy plover seasonal closure area. During the seasonal closure you have to stay on the “wet” sand which is what I did as I continued on to Sand Lake.

The 34A locator and signs announcing the seasonal closure.

Seagull

Sanderling

Spotted sandpiper

Black-bellied plover

Sand Lake

Cape Lookout from Sand Lake Point.

Since I’d missed the inland trail and the seasonal closure blocks access to Sitka Sedge from Sand Lake Point, I turned around at Sand Lake and walked back to emergency locator 34A and turned inland at the edge of the closure area. A trail here led into the Sitka Sedge Natural Area.

I stayed straight at junctions thinking I would visit the day-use area however upon looking at the map at the second junction with the Estuary View Loop I decided I didn’t want to add that much distance to my hike.

Instead, I backtracked to the Kinnikinnick Woods Loop and turned left onto that trail. I followed this trail for 0.3-miles then detoured left on the short Elk Knoll Trail and took a break on the bench atop Elk Knoll.

Sand Lake from Elk Knoll.

After my break I returned to the Kinnikinnick Woods Loop and followed it another 0.2-miles to a junction with a beach access trail.

Pink pyrola

The beach access trail traveled 0.2-miles through the woods and over the foredune emerging on the beach at emergency locator 34B.

I turned south (left) at the beach and hiked back to the Tierra Del Mar Trailhead which was just under a mile away.

Haystack Rock (Not the Cannon Beach one, the Pacific City one.) making an appearance.

Haystack Rock

Beach access at Tierra Del Mar.

The GPS showed 9.7-miles for the hike with 250′ of elevation gain.

It was too bad it was so foggy on Cape Kiwanda, but the hike was still rather enjoyable. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Cape Kiwanda to Sand Lake

Tags Black-bellied plover, cape kiwanda, Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, cape lookout, Elk Knoll Trail, haystack rock, hiking, Kinnikinnick Woods Loop, Miles Creek, Miles Creek Point, Oregon, Oregon Coast, pacific city, pacific ocean, Sand Lake, Sand Lake Point, Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, Tierra Del Mar

Central Coast Hiking Oregon Oregon Coast Trip report

Cook’s Ridge/Cummins Creek Loop – 07/20/2026

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date July 23, 2026
No Comments on Cook’s Ridge/Cummins Creek Loop – 07/20/2026

Having canceled plans for trip to the North Cascades National Park due to my ongoing back/hip/leg issues Heather decided not to use up a week of vacation. That left me on my own as I continue to try and work back to a place where a week of fairly intense hiking is possible. My plan for the week off was to get out 5 times over the 10 days. Hike one was to Canyon Creek Meadows on Saturday when Heather was able to join (post).

Hike two was going to be Black Crater in the Three Sisters Wilderness which we had visited in 2016 on a cloudy day and gotten no view from the summit (post). Unfortunately, when I got up a 3:15am and double checked the forecast it had gone from sunny to areas of smoke due to wildfires. The forecast was similar to the north in the Mt. Hood area and to the south, around Diamond Peak, there was a chance of rain showers. I then checked the Oregon Coast which was free of precipitation and smoke. I decided to head to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and hike some of the trails in that area.

We’d visited the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area in 2010, 2013 and 2018. For this visit my plan was to hike a loop incorporating some of the trails that we hadn’t been on during any of the previous visits.

I began at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center at 6am.

Not surprisingly I was the first car in the lot.

I made my way to the RV Parking area where the Cook’s Ridge Trail begins next to a signboard with a map.

My plan was to take the Cook’s Ridge Trail up to the Cummins Creek Trail and then follow that trail down to the Oregon Coast Trail and follow that trail back to the Visitor Center. I was also hoping to detour down into the Cummins Creek Wilderness to see Cummins Creek near the Cummins Creek Trailhead.

The Cook’s Ridge/Discovery Loop Trail climbed steadily up an old logging track for 0.4-miles to the start the 0.6-mile loop.

I stayed left at the junction and after another 0.3-mile climb passed the upper loop junction.

Ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora L.) There was a lot of this plant along the trails during this hike.

View from the Discovery Loop.

Ghost pipe on both sides of the trail.

There was something fairly large rustling around in the brush, but I never saw anything.

Signs at the upper junction. I stayed left on the Cook’s Ridge Trail heading for the Cummins Creek Trail. It was 2.8 miles to that trail which consisted primarily of gradual climbing although there were a couple of downhills to drop into saddles.

None of the coastal huckleberries were ripe yet.

Starflower

Douglas squirrel

More ghost pipe.

Little prince’s pine

At the 2.4-mile mark I passed the junction with the Gwynn Creek Trail.

Up until now the hike had been entirely new to me. In February 2013 we had descended to this junction from the Cook’s Ridge/Cummins Creek Trail junction and taken the Gwynn Creek Trail back down to return to the Cummins Creek Trailhead. Incidentally that was the first hike we covered in this blog. I continued uphill another 1.1-miles to the Cummins Creek Trail junction.

Red elderberry

Fringecup

An aven and self-heal

Coastal brookfoam

Bleeding heart

Coming up on the Cummins Creek Trail junction.

I made a sharp right onto the Cummins Creek Trail and continued to climb briefly before the trail began a long gradual descent.

Yarrow

Elegant brodeia

Ocean spray

Snail

After a half mile on the Cummins Creek Trail I passed a 0.1-mile spur trail to a viewpoint.

We visited the viewpoint in 2013 and given how cloudy it was I decided to save those 0.2-miles for my detour to Cummins Creek. A tenth of a mile beyond the viewpoint spur I came to another junction.

To the left was the old Cummins Creek Trail and to the right the newer Cummins Creek Loop Trail (as shown on the trailhead map). In 2013 we’d come up the newer trail so today I turned left and headed down the older trail.

Thimbleberries, I did manage to find one ripe one and a few ripe red huckleberries.

The upper portion of the trail was a little overgrown, but it was clear of obstacles.

View out to the Pacific Ocean.

White triteleia

Crab spider on a daisy.

Tiger lily

After a steep half mile descent I arrived at an old roadbed with a trail sign.

I turned right and followed the old roadbed 1.4-miles to a junction with the Cummins Creek Loop Trail.

Creeping buttercup

Coastal manroot

The road sits on the edge of the Cummins Creek Wilderness.

Moth

The Cummins Creek Loop Trail joining from the ridge on the right.

Given how steep the descent was to the roadbed I was glad that we had not tried to take this trail up in 2013. From the junction I continued to follow the old roadbed for 1.2-miles where I turned left onto a clear but unsigned trail leading downhill into the Cummins Creek Wilderness.

This rabbit hopped out onto the trail and posed for a moment.

I was surprised to find some blooming fairy lanterns.

I turned down the trail which had decent tread to begin with.

After climbing over and through a couple of downed trees I arrived at a flat basin.

The trail got overgrown fairly quickly and I lost it in a swale of skunk cabbage, ferns and grass.

There were some faint, possibly game, trails heading toward the creek so I picked one and made my way toward the sound of water. I popped out of the brush next to a bunch of logs and a couple of small rock islands.

Mushrooms

Where I popped out of the brush.

I climbed over these logs to reach the rocks.

Cummins Creek

California figwort along Cummins Creek.

After a short break I recrossed the logs and found a little clearer game trail back to the main trail and returned up to the Cummins Creek Trail. I followed the Cummins Creek Trail 0.2 more miles to the Cummins Creek Trailhead then walked the road an additional 0.2-miles to a small pullout with a signboard marking the Oregon Coast Trail.

It was 1.3-miles back to the Visitor Center. This section provided several views of the Pacific.

I had one of these ripe salal berries and it was the best salal I think I’ve ever had. If you’re familiar with the berry you know that the skin can be a little thick and hairy, but they have a sweet flavor.

Gwynn Creek

I passed the junction with the Gwynn Creek Trail 0.3-miles from the road. Since we had come down the Gwynn Creek Trail in 2013 I was once again on a section of trail I hadn’t hiked before.

Cape Perpetua from the trail. You can barely make out the stone shelter atop the cape if you zoom in.

Highway 101

My loop came to 9.6-miles with approximately 1600′ of elevation gain.

Over half the loop was new-to-me trail. I passed a total of five people, three were between the Cummins Creek Loop/Cummins Creek Trail junction and where I detoured down to Cummins Creek, and the other two were on the paved trail up to the Visitor Center. While we don’t often hike on the coast in July since that is prime time for higher elevation hikes this proved to be a great alternative. Based on the forecast for the rest of the week I may be looking for another coastal hike or two. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Cook’s Ridge/Cummins Creek Loop

Tags Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, Cook's Ridge Trail, Cummins Creek, Cummins Creek Trail, cummins creek wilderness, Discovery Loop, Gwynn Creek, Gwynn Creek Trail, hiking, Oregon, Oregon Coast, Pacific Coast

High Cascades Hiking Mt. Jefferson Area Oregon Trip report

Canyon Creek Meadows – 07/18/2026

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date July 21, 2026
2 Comments on Canyon Creek Meadows – 07/18/2026

It had been 13 years since we visited the wildflower meadows of Canyon Creek Meadows below Three Fingered Jack (post). Between our focus on hiking new trail (to us) and popularity of this hike we’d stayed away, but the Central Cascade Wilderness Permit system combined with the hike’s length being in the range of what I’m able to do right now it was time for another visit.

We secured our day use permits and made our way to the Jack Lake Trailhead. Note that Forest Road 1234 currently has several gouges due to runoff that are passable but require caution.

We arrived a little after 7am.

We picked up the Old Summit Trail next to the trailhead signboards and followed it around Jack Lake.

Glaucous beardtongue

Hardhack

Three Fingered Jack from Jack Lake.

Spreading dogbane

Sickletop lousewort

Fireweed

Scarlet gilia

North and Middle Sister with Jack Lake below.

An aster

The forest is still recovering from the 2003 B & B Complex fires.

Pearly everlasting

Scouler’s bluebells

At the 0.4-mile mark we passed a Mount Jefferson Wilderness sign and arrived at a junction with the one-way Canyon Creek Trail.

Heeding the one-way designation we turned left onto the Canyon Creek Trail. This trail climbed steadily for 1.7-miles to a junction with the Glacier View Trail near Canyon Creek.

Three Fingered Jack from the junction.

Lupine

Black Butte (post) to the left with Broken Top (partly behind Cache Mountain, and North & Middle Sister to the right. The haze is wildfire smoke from several recent lightning ignited fires across Central and Eastern Oregon.

I believe this is a Hoffmann’s Checkerspot.

As the trail climbed there were a few more trees that had survived the 2003 fires.

Golden-mantled ground squirrel

Woodland beardtongue

One-sided wintergreen

Small unnamed lake along the trail.

Rosy spirea

Arrowleaf groundsel

Mt. Jefferson to the north.

California tortoiseshell

Stellar’s jay

Arnica

Descending into the first of the meadows.

Thistle

Pussy paws

Larkspur

California stickseed

Another aster

Collection of wildflowers.

Sign at the junction. The one-way Canyon Creek Trail turns right here along the creek and returns to the Old Summit Trail. Before completing the loop we turned left on the Glacier View Trail to visit the upper meadow and to hopefully spot a mountain goat or two.

It is just under three-quarters of a mile to the upper meadow from the junction where one can continue on a climbers trail up a moraine to a cirque lake and then beyond to a saddle below the mountain with a view to the south.

Columbine and arrowleaf groundsel

Suksdorf’s paintbrush?

Subalpine mariposa lily

Lewis’ monkeyflower and paintbrush among other flowers.

The views of Three Finger Jack get better the closer you get to the upper meadow.

I was so focused on the mountain that I missed seeing a herd of mountain goats that were further to the left of this photo. Heather spotted them but I had gotten too far ahead for her to be able to point them out to me.

Mountain Indian paintbrush

View of the upper meadow from the trail. There are a couple of trails that lead down to the upper meadow but since our goal was to at least make it to the cirque lake we stayed as high up as the trails allowed.

Looking up at the moraine and a hiker atop it on the left.

Lewis’ monkeyflower

Silverleaf phacelia

Little flower penstemon

Heading up the moraine.

Fuzzy elmera. As far as I know this is the first time we’ve seen this flower, or at least noticed it.

Three Fingered Jack from the moraine. The Jack Glacier carved this side of the mountain but is no more than a small permanent snowfield now.

The lake from the moraine.

Mt. Jefferson and the upper meadow from the moraine.

Looking up at the saddle from the moraine.

After a short break atop the moraine, I continued up the trail.

Yarrow

Pollinator visiting Pacific stonecrop.

Looking back down during one of my breaks on the climb up.

As I continued climbing some hikers ahead noticed a mountain descending the rocky hillside to our left (opposite Three Fingered Jack). I pulled out the bigger camera that I was carrying in order to have better zoom capabilities and took a number of photos as we passed each other.

This one was tagged and wearing a tracking collar.

The mountain goat in the shadow to the right.

I veered left on a slightly more level path instead of going directly up to the saddle. This route led to a large bench.

Pink and white mountain heather

A more level trail over to the saddle.

Mt. Jefferson

The ridge extending south from the bench.

I followed this trail around the bench to reach the saddle.

Three Fingered Jack from the long saddle.

View NE from the saddle.

The view south.

Tam McArthur Rim (post), Broken Top, Mt. Bachelor (post) and the Three Sisters.

Mt. Washington with The Husband behind.

When I reached the saddle I could see Heather sitting next to some trees along the ridge above the lake.

I correctly deduced that she had decided that was far enough so after I had a snack I headed back down to where she had been watching the mountain goats. (She had spotted a couple more while I was exploring the ridge.)

The other goats she’d seen had gone around the corner except for one whose haunches were still visible. (At the bottom of a small crescent shaped cleft about halfway down the rocky portion of the hillside.)

After she pointed out the other goat to me, we started back down the trail.

Lewis’ monkeyflower

Cliff beardtongue

On our way back we dropped down an obvious trail to the upper meadow.

Many of the flowers in the meadow are lupine, which was mostly past, but as we neared Canyon Creek there were still a lot of blooming flowers.

The trail left the upper meadow and continued along Canyon Creek for 0.2-miles before rejoining the Glacier View Trail. We then followed that trail back to the junction with the Canyon Creek Trail.

Back on the Glacier View Trail.

Subalpine mariposa lily and aster.

Fritillary

We briefly took a wrong fork along the Glacier View Trail following this former creek bed?

Ladybug on false hellebore.

Orange agoseris

The Canyon Creek Trail junction.

We stayed straight at the junction following the one-way instructions and followed Canyon Creek for a mile to the Old Summit Trail.

Large boykinia

Subalpine fleabane

Looking back over Canyon Creek at Three Fingered Jack.

The Old Summit Trail junction.

We turned right onto the Old Summit Trail and followed it 1.2-miles back to the start of the Canyon Creek Loop.

By 11:30 the Akawa Butte Fire in Jefferson County was throwing up smoke plumes.

Smoke plumes from the Akawa Butte Fire rising behind Green Ridge (post).

California tortoiseshell butterflies enjoying the damp ground.

The trail sign at the junction with the Canyon Creek Trail ahead to the right.

It was just 0.4 mostly downhill miles back to the car from the junction.

Twinflower

Three Fingered Jack from Jack Lake.

It was interesting to look back at some of the photos from 2013 to see how the fire recovery was progressing. Here is Jack Lake with a lot more snags in 2013.

Here is a view of Mt. Jefferson from the Old Summit Trail from 2013 and 2026.

My hike including the exploration on the bench and to the saddle came to 8.1-miles with approximately 1600′ of elevation gain.

It was a lot of fun revisiting this hike and seeing the mountain goats was just an extra bonus for us. Hopefully the Forest Service can fix some of the water damage to the road before it gets any worse because it is a destination worth visiting. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Canyon Creek Meadows

Hiking Oregon Salem/Albany Trip report Willamette Valley

Minto-Brown Island Park 07/11/2026

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date July 15, 2026
1 Comment on Minto-Brown Island Park 07/11/2026

My brother and his families last full day visiting from Missouri was Saturday, so we wanted a nearby hike for the morning to give us more time to visit later in the day. We turned to nearby Minto-Brown Island Park where a family of otters had recently been seen. We were excited to have our niece join us for the outing.

We began our hike from Parking Lot #1 (closest to the park entrance).

Map at the parking lot.

We took the paved path from the parking lot across Willamette Slough then turned right along the slough on the Brown Squirrel Loop.

Willamette Slough

As we were passing between the slough on our right and a field on our left, we spotted a buck.

The otters had been seen in the slough, so we detoured to a couple of viewpoints where the slough widened. We failed to spot any otters but did see a number of ducks, birds, and a family of nutria.

When I first spotted something in the water, I got excited, but I quickly realized it was nutria and not the otters.

Unfortunately, the nutria are highly invasive, regardless the family was kind of cute.

The silhouette of a cedar waxwing.

Swallows

Great blue heron

Ducks

We took a paved spur to the right when the trail forked to get a couple more views of the slough.

This spur spends much of the year submerged.

I’m not sure when/if this viewpoint is accessible on dry ground.

More ducks but no otters.

We returned to the main path and turned right when we reached the Osprey Loop and followed this loop to the Willamette River.

Oregon grape with perennial peavine behind.

One of many rabbits we would see during our hike.

Hardhack

Common madia

Robin

The Willamette River

A heron and ducks on the far side of the river.

We continued along the river and stuck to the paved path when it turned away from the river.

Shortly after leaving the river we spotted not one but two does.

The first doe was coming up the trail toward us.

The second doe was in the brush to the right of the trail.

The second doe.

Yarrow and chicory

The path brought us to the Shelter Parking Lot (lot #3) where we left the Osprey Loop in favor of the Blue Heron Loop. We followed the paved path across Oxbow Slough and continued to a split in the trail where the Blue Heron Loop continued on a dirt path to the left.

Female wood duck and ducklings in Oxbow Slough.

Coming up on the split in the trail.

Woodpecker

Wasp nest

Oxbow Slough

Goose and ducks at Oxbow Slough.

Great blue heron

When the Blue Heron Loop came within sight of the paved Purple Rabbit Loop we cut over to that path and turned left.

This trail brought us to Homedale Road which it briefly followed before veering away to complete a loop around Oxbow Slough.

Bindweed

We were slowed a bit on this stretch by the presence of ripe thimbleberries.

Old abandoned car along the path.

Squirrel

Self-heal

We turned right on the Yellow Duck Loop then took a left on a paved path along the western end of the dog park which brought us to the entrance road where we turned right.

An upside-down cedar waxwing.

We followed the entrance road back toward the entrance to cross the road on the Brown Squirrel Loop and returned to our car. This hike was 6.8-miles with minimal elevation gain.

Despite not seeing the otters we all had a good time. There was plenty of other wildlife to see and some tasty ripe berries to snack on. We were back home before 10am which gave us plenty of time to visit before we had to say goodbye to my brother’s family. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Minto-Brown Island Park

Tags blue heron loop, Brown Squirrel loop, hiking, minto-brown island park, Oregon, Osprey Loop, purple rabbit loop, Salem, willamette river, Yellow Duck Loop

High Cascades Hiking Mt. Hood Area Oregon Trip report

Ramona Falls – 07/09/2026

It’s been a busy week here. Monday, we took my brother and his family on a hike to Marion Lake (post), Tuesday I drove our son home to Eugene where we stopped at Meadowlark Prairie for a short outing (post). Wednesday, I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor who referred me back to physical therapy, this time for my back, as well as massage therapy to hopefully address the remaining issues I’m having.

While my back and hips are still bothering me, I’m not under any activity restrictions so Thursday I headed back to the trails. My brother and his family had gone down to Northern California for a couple of days to see the redwoods and Heather had to work leaving me on my own. After considering a couple of options I landed on Ramona Falls which Heather had visited back on May 30th. I was also hoping to visit the remains of the Upper Sandy River Guard Station.

I got an extra early start to my day and arrived at the Ramona Falls Trailhead shortly before 6am.

The trail almost immediately enters the Mt. Hood Wilderness making a very gradual climb along the Sandy River for 1.3-miles before dropping to a crossing of the river.

The wilderness sign to the right behind the trail sign at the trailhead.

White spiraea

A faded wilderness map stands near a junction where the Sandy River Trail joins from left.

Fireweed

Beardtongue

Pearly everlasting and penstemon

Mt. Hood from the trail just before dropping down to the river for the crossing.

Monkeyflower

It had been almost thirteen years since I’d been on this trail, having last visited when we hiked up Yocum Ridge (post). That was the year before a hiker was tragically swept away attempting to cross the seasonal bridge the Forest Service used to install for the Sandy River Crossing following a sudden storm. That was the last time a seasonal bridge would be installed. The crossing now changes from year to year depending on where the best option can be found. This year the crossing consisted of three logs, two small logs tied together and a larger log sitting around waist high to hold onto.

Easy peasy crossing this year.

On the other side of the river I spotted a raspberry bush with a single ripe berry and more to come.

I continued another third of a mile to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail.

Last Chance Mountain

The PCT to the left (northbound) and to the right (southbound). Ramona Falls can be reached in either direction on a loop, but I prefer clockwise so I stayed left.

After half a mile I left the PCT at another junction by turning right on the Ramona Falls Trail.

Next was a 1.8-mile stretch on the Ramona Falls trail to a junction with the Timberline Trail near Ramona Falls.

Salal

Twinflower

Most of the rhododendron blossoms were done but there were a few remaining in the cool forest here.

The Timberline Trail junction and the first glimpse of Ramona Falls.

I had passed a couple of tents a little before reaching the junction but I was the only one at the waterfall at 7:23am. I took a short break and had a snack before continuing on my hike.

The view from my break spot.

After my snack I continued on the Timberline Trail toward the PCT.

Looking back at the falls.

Squirrel

I had dropped the location of the Upper Sandy Guard Station, which sits on a bench below the Timberline Trail and above the PCT, on my map. As I neared the pin I began looking for a faint trail to the left. My first attempt was too early and the short path led to a secluded camp site but my second attempt led me to a rough trail the led down to the crumbling guard station.

The remains of the guard station.

The Sandy River Canyon.

For the fascinating history of the station please read this post by WyEast Blog.

From the guard station I followed a steep path downhill past another pair of tents to the Pacific Crest Trail (also the Timberline Trail here). To get back to the trailhead I needed to turn right and head northbound however I was in an exploring mood and had not ever been to the Sandy River Crossing which was only 0.3-miles away, so I turned left.

Red elderberry

Paintbrush

The Sandy River crossing. The river is pretty braided here and crossing wouldn’t have been too difficult, but it would have required fording at least one of the braids and I didn’t have my water shoes with me and didn’t want wet shoes so exploring further up the trail toward Paradise Park (post) was not an option.

Instead I decided to head upstream along the river and see what the area between Yocum Ridge and Slide Mountain was like.

No official trails head up the canyon but there were some footprints and several camp sites closer to the crossing.

This area was also popular with pikas. Several seemed to be having a conversation in “meeps” about my presence. It took a while but I finally spotted one of them.

I rambled a little of half a mile beyond the crossing before deciding that I’d had enough scrambling over rocks and turned around.

Buckwheat

The view from my turnaround spot. Not only was it rocky but it was getting increasingly brushy.

With no actual trails my route back was quite a bit different in spots, and I spotted some flowers I’d missed on my first pass.

Starting back.

Beardtongue

Paintbrush

Buckwheat patch.

Monkeyflower and algea

Golden-mantled ground squirrel

As I neared the Timberline Trail/PCT crossing I spotted pink flagging on the far side that marked the continuation of the trail.

California tortoiseshell

I found a spot where I could cross the first braided channel of the river but from the little island I was on I couldn’t see a way to cross the next one without getting wet.

I returned to the riverbank and picked up the trail then headed back.

Sugar sticks

The PCT/Timberline Trail climbed to a junction on a ridge where the Timberline Trail split off to the right toward Ramona Falls and the PCT went left. I went left and descended to the junction with the Ramona Falls Trail and then left the PCT to return to the trailhead.

Woodpecker

Back at the crossing.

Last look at Mt. Hood with the Sun kind of in the way.

Back at the trailhead.

Ramona Falls was as beautiful as I’d remembered and getting to see the old guard station was neat. Doing the hike on a weekday morning provided a lot of solitude. I only passed 13 people on the trails and ten of those were from the crossing to the trailhead. I’d seen about the same number of people at the various camp sites that were occupied. The hike itself came to 9.5-miles with approximately 1400′ of elevation gain.

This was the longest hike I’d done since my January 31st 14.8-mile hike along the Lower Deschutes River (post). I’m a little tight/sore as I write this trip report, but the hike itself felt really good. Hopefully this next round of therapy will help get me the rest of the way back. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Ramona Falls

Tags hiking, Mt. Hood, Mt. Hood Wilderness, Oregon, Pacific Crest Trail, PCT, Ramona Falls, Ramona Falls Trail, Sandy River Trail, Sandy River. Timberline Trail, Upper Sandy River Guard Station

Eugene Hiking Oregon Trip report Willamette Valley

Meadowlark Prairie – 07/07/2026

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date July 13, 2026
No Comments on Meadowlark Prairie – 07/07/2026

Our son Dominique had stayed with over the July 4th weekend and joined us on a hike to Marion Lake with my brother and his family from Missouri (post). He had to head back to Eugene the next day and Heather had to work so I drove him home. Before dropping him off though we stopped at Meadowlark Prairie Overlook for a short outing at the West Eugene Wetlands.

The Paved Fern Ridge Bike Path leads north from the overlook before turning east at Royal Avenue. The path extends about 7-miles to W 15th Avenue, but for this outing we turned back at a bridge after approximately 1.5-miles.

We spotted a very pretty lazuli bunting shortly after setting off, but my pictures were all of the grass in the foreground with a blue blob behind.

Bench near the Royal Avenue intersection. I was familiar with Royal Avenue having parked at its western end on our first visit to the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area (post).

Common madia

Amazon Creek.

Madrone

All of the waterfowl were quite a way out on the creek. There is a swallow, pie-billed grebe and I think a couple of mallards with ducklings.

I noticed a powerline corridor in the distance (right side of the hill) and recognized it as the one that Heather and I had hiked under earlier this year on the Wild Iris Ridge Trail (post).

Red-winged blackbirds

The Fern Ridge Path forks right here following the pointer for “Downtown”.

The path continuing beyond the bridge where we turned around.

A pair of swallows photobombed the bottom of this photo.

As we headed back we could see some of the Coast Range under blue sky in the distance.

More ducks and ducklings

Great blue heron

This was a nice easy leg stretcher and a good introduction to the area. I had seen it on maps before and had added it to our to-do list and this short outing helped convince me the area was worthy of a longer visit. Either a winter or spring outing would provide better birding so that will be the timeframe we target for the longer hike. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Meadowlark Prairie

Tags Eugene, Fern Ridge Bike Path, hiking, Meadowlark Prairie, Meadowlark Prairie Overlook, Oregon, West Eugene Wetlands

High Cascades Hiking Mt. Jefferson Area Oregon Trip report

Marion Lake – 07/06/2026

My brother and his family came for a weeklong visit on the 4th of July from Missouri. When we first talked about the visit Jason mentioned they were hoping to join us on a hike so I’d asked what their ideal hike would entail. The answer was something in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, preferably involving a lake and a waterfall with a length of 5 to 6 miles. I immediately thought of Marion Lake, a hike that includes two lakes, a pair of waterfalls, and views of both Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Jefferson. As an extra bonus our son Dominique would also be joining us.

We had done this hike back in 2014 (post) and returned in 2016 for a much longer loop to the Eight Lakes Basin deeper in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderenss (post). Those visits were prior to the implementation of the Central Cascade Wilderness permit system. Permits are now required from June 15th to October 15th. Overnight permits are required to stay anywhere in the Mt. Jefferson. Three Sisters, and Mt. Washington Wilderness areas while day use permits are currently required at 19 of the 79 trailheads accessing these wilderness areas including the Marion Lake Trailhead. Day use permits are released in two rounds. About 40% of the day use permits for a specific date are released at 7am ten days before that day with the reminder made available two days before the date. I was ready at our computer at 7am on 6/26 and secured the six $1 permits we’d need for our families.

They were good sports and were willing to be on the road at 6am to allow us to be at the trailhead around 7:30am and take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures.

We followed the trail gradually uphill for approximately three quarters of mile to the boundary of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.

Prince’s pine

Twinflower

Most of the rhododendron were done blooming but a few blossoms remained.

Anemone

There were a few ripe huckleberries along this stretch.

Washington lily

Our sharp-eyed niece spotted this frog along the trail.

Wilderness sign near the boundary.

Sugar sticks, also spotted by Bekkah.

The trail continued its gradual climb which included a couple of switchbacks before arriving at Lake Ann near the 1.6-mile mark.

One of several small springs along the trail.

Wintergreen

Thimbleberry

The outlet of Lake Ann flows beneath the trail here through the porous lava.

The trail passing along Lake Ann.

Lake Ann

After a short break at Lake Ann where we spotted a common merganser on the water and debated whether or not the brown hump on the far side of the lake was a grazing deer or something else (it was something else) we continued on. Just two tenths of a mile later we arrived at a junction where the trail split.

The Marion Lake Trail went left while the Marion Lake Outlet Trail was to the right. We forked right onto the Outlet Trail and in another tenth of a mile came to the unsigned trail to Marion Falls on our right.

We turned right onto this rougher path which crossed over a small ridge then descended to the top of Marion Falls.

This trail had a number of downed trees that required stepping over.

Gnome-plant

Above Marion Falls.

While there was some blowdown over the trail to the top of the falls it isn’t a particularly difficult 0.2-miles. The trail steepens significantly however if you wish to reach the bottom of the waterfall.

The trail disappearing as it drops steeply down the hillside.

Marion Falls

At the bottom of Marion Falls you are also near the top of Gatch Falls. (Some say it is actually just the lower tier of Marion Falls.)

Bachelor Mountain (post) from the top of Gatch Falls.

Monkeyflower

Looking back up the trail from below.

To get a view of Gatch Falls requires an even rougher and steeper descent.

Marion Creek continues tumbling downhill to Gooch Falls (post) a little over two miles downstream.

After admiring the waterfalls, we climbed back up to the top of Marion Falls and took a well-earned snack break before returning to the Marion Lake Outlet Trail.

We followed the trail another half mile around rocky hillsides where my brother’s family spotted a pika as it darted over the rocks and paused briefly before disappearing.

There is plenty of pika habitat such as this in the area.

After the half mile we found ourselves at a junction with the Blue Lake Trail.

At the junction we faced a choice, in order to keep the hike at 6-miles we would have needed to turn left here and hike 0.7-miles along Marion Lake to the Marion Lake Trail and turn left again for 0.4-miles to the junction with the Marion Lake Outlet Trail near Lake Ann. If, however, we wanted to get a view of the wilderness’ namesake, Mt. Jefferson, a detour or two would be needed. By turning right on the Blue Lake Trail for a quarter mile across a talus slope, the top of Mt. Jefferson would be visible across the lake which is what we did.

Better views can be had by going a little further, but because trees line the trail beyond it requires descending steeply to the lake shore which was a little more effort than we had in us today.

After getting a look at Mt. Jefferson we recrossed Marion Creek and hiked along the forested lake shore to the next detour at the day use peninsula.

The only beargrass that had any blossoms left on it.

Three Fingered Jack

Marion Peak is the forested peak to the left and Marion Mountain (post) is the rounded hump just left of center.

We detoured out the peninsula and took a break on some bedrock smoothed by ice age glaciers with a view of the top of Mt. Jefferson.

I continued steeply down the end of the peninsula to get another view of Three Fingered Jack before joining the rest of the group on the rocks.

California tortoiseshell

Creamy stonecrop and beardtongue

Paintbrush

After a nice break we returned to the main trail and continued on to the junction with the Marion Lake Trail.

Vine maple and thimbleberry along the trail.

Signpost at the junction.

We turned left and started the 2.2-mile return to the trailhead.

Lake Ann in the afternoon.

Heading out of the wilderness.

Pearly everlasting at the trailhead.

My GPS registered 6.6-miles for this hike. Total elevation gain for the hike was approximately 975′. My trip to the end of the peninsula added a little over a tenth of a mile.

Everyone survived the hike and more importantly seemed to enjoy it. It was a lot of fun spending the day with family and enjoying God’s creation. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Marion Lake

Tags Blue Lake Trail, gatch falls, hiking, lake ann, Marion Creek, marion falls, marion lake, Marion Lake Outlet Trail, Marion Lake Trail, Marion Lake Trailhead, Marion Mountain, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon, Three Fingered Jack