As we continue to look for hikes/trails that we have yet to visit we turned to the Eugene-Springfield area. There are numerous parks and natural areas offering hikes of varying lengths in or near these cities. We’ve visited a number of them in past and this outing would add three more to our list of places visited.
We began our day at Thurston Hills Natural Area. The trailhead, located within the city limits of Springfield, opens at 6am (restrooms at 7am).
Opened in 2017 the area offers trails for hikers and mountain bikers. The bike only trails are closed during the wet season which making it a quieter time for hiking. We set off on the gravel Mossy Maple Trail and began a gradual climb.
The trails were well marked with plenty of reminders which users were allowed on them.
There was a variety of Spring wildflowers blooming in the forest as we made our way up the trail.
Giant white wakerobin (Trillium albidum)
The only columbine we spotted.
Fairy lanterns
In addition to identifying the trails by name, several had mile markers.
Trillium
Solomon’s seal
Toothwort
Largeleaf sandwort
Bleeding heart
At 1.9-miles the trail crossed a gravel road (Mossy Maple Connector) and leveled out as it traversed a forested hillside.
Old fungus
Oregon grape
The 2.5-mile marker on the Mossy Maple Trail.
Seasonal closure sign and map at the upper junction with the bike only Yee-Haw Trail.
Pacific hound’s tongue
Fairy slippers
Star flowered solomon’s seal
Iris
Vetch
Fringecup
After approximately three miles on the Mossy Maple Trail we arrived at a junction with the Basalt Rim Trail. The Basalt Rim Trail would be our return route so for now we turned left and climbed a small hill to a meadow in a wide saddle.
Strawberry
Shooting star
Spotted towhee
We crossed the saddle (and an access road) to pick up the Camas Crest Trail.
Small-flowered woodland-stars
Checker lily and baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Manroot
Red-flowering currant
The Camas Crest Trail joined the humorously named Cervus Road briefly where we went left for 100 yards to find the Basalt Rim Trail.
Dogwood
On the Cervus Road passing an old quarry on the right.
The Basalt Rim Trail.
The lupine is still a week or so away from blooming.
Basalt columns
We climbed up the Basalt Rim Trail to a junction with the Cascadian Thumb Trail on the right.
Warning signs along this hiker only trail cautioned trail users of dangerous cliffs and the risk of falling.
Fawn lily
Springfield from the trail.
There is a short one-way loop at the top.
The loop passes several rocky viewpoints, and a lot of poison oak.
Looking down from one of the viewpoints.
The highest peak to the left in the distance is Mount June (post) and the peak in the center is Bear Mountain.
Mt. Pisgah (post) just across the Middle Fork Willamette River with Spencer Butte (post) behind to the right.
Biscuitroot
Another viewpoint along the loop.
The peak with two humps is Mount Nebo. With the naked eye we could just make out Tidbits Mountain (post) in the distance to the right.
Camas (and poison oak) near the viewpoint.
Finishing the loop.
Stripped coralroot.
After completing the loop we returned to the Basalt Rim Trail and turned right and made our way back to the Mossy Maple Trail.
Switchbacks leading down to the Basalt Rim Trail.
Wren
Violets
Basalt outcrops
Ginger
Arriving back at the Mossy Maple Trail.
On the way back down we took the Mossy Maple Connector Trail which was simply a fairly steep gravel road but otherwise retraced our steps to the trailhead.
Starflower
Dunn’s salamander
Mossy Maple Connector Trail (left).
The Yee-Haw Trail coming down from the left to the Mossy Maple Connector Trail.
Buttercups
Fairy bells
Meadow near the trailhead.
The hike here came in just under 8 miles with 1215′ of elevation gain, by far the most strenuous stop of our day.
From Thurston Hills it was just a 15-minute drive to our next stop at Jasper State Recreation Site. This is one of the 25 State Park fee sites requiring a $10.00 day use fee. This year we purchased a $30.00 annual pass, so this stop was in part to make use of the pass and get our money’s worth. The hike description (or lack thereof) was from AllTrails so it was no surprise when we were immediately confused as to where to go from the parking area.
There was no obvious path down to the picnic shelters so we simply headed down to a gravel road where we turned right. After passing an impressive display of Menzies’ larkspur we found an actual trail and wound up making a short (0.6-mile) loop through the woods.
Menzies’ larkspur
Western meadowrue
Bleeding heart and purple deadnettle
Completing the loop.
AllTrails showed a 1.6-mile loop that not only went through the woods but also the picnic areas of the park. Aside from a few service roads there weren’t many obvious paths/trails that we could see so we made up our route which stuck mostly to a faint grassy track along the Middle Fork Willamette River.
Faint grassy path.
Golden crowned sparrow
A section of obvious trail.
The faint path disappeared near the fenced off-leash dog area. The AllTrails loop appeared to turn around here, but since we couldn’t see even a faint path leading back around closer to the parking areas we turned around and followed the river back.
We did find this short section of what appears to have been a paved path in the grass.
This was an odd little hike but the park itself was nice. There was some playground equipment, nice picnic shelters, the off-leash dog area, and some disc golf holes. We managed to get 1.5-miles of walking in and saw some really nice larkspur along the way.
A 10-minute drive took us from the Jasper State Recreation Site to Elijah Bristow State Park. Currently this is not a fee park, which was a bit surprising to us given it has wide range of activities to offer. There are over 10-miles of trails open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers along with access to the Middle Fork Willamette River for anglers and kayakers. There are several trailheads to choose from, but we parked at the Lost Creek Trailhead.
The trails here were well maintained and all official junctions were marked with posts consisting of pointers and symbols representing the trail names. That being said having a copy of the map handy was very helpful because the trail names, such as the Elk Trail, can apply to multiple spurs in the same area.
We set off past the signboard on the Elk Trail and soon found ourselves hiking along Lost Creek.
An example of the posts. Every directional arrow, including the far side that you can’t see, was for the “Elk Trail”.
Cedar along the Elk Trail.
We simply stayed left at posted junctions which brought us to the River Trail and the Middle Fork Willamette.
Candy flower and woodland buttercups
Picnic tables near Lost Creek.
Lost Creek
Not a signed junction so this is the one time we veered right.
Middle Fork Willamette River.
The River Trail turned eastward and ran parallel to the Middle Fork for a mile. For much of the mile the river was not visible however there were a few opportunities to reach the river bank.
I was hoping that there might be a turtle hiding in this photo but alas it does not appear that is the case.
We veered left here leaving the River Trail briefly to actually get a view of the river.
We hadn’t noticed the goslings in the grass until seeing the picture of the parents.
Another look at the river shortly before the River Trail turned away.
Barrow’s goldeneye
When we reached a post for the Angler’s Trail we turned right.
We stayed left again at the next junction then right at the following two. For the remainder of the hike we stayed left back to the park entrance road across from the Lost Creek Trailhead.
Left here as right led to a picnic area at the end of the entrance road.
Signpost at the second junction where we kept right.
The clouds had been stubborn all morning but by early afternoon they had mostly burned off.
We stayed left on the trail near the entrance road (across from the Channel Lake Trailhead).
ADA accessible path to a brushy wildlife viewing spot along a backwater channel.
Bufflehead and at least three turtles on the logs behind.
The Lost Creek Trailhead on the far side of the entrance road.
Our loop here came to 3.2-miles with less than 50′ of elevation gain.
A look at the relative proximity of our three stops.
On the day we wound up hiking 12.6-miles with approximately 1250′ of elevation gain, nearly all of which came at Thurston Hills. Thurston Hills was a great hike with a lot more varied scenery and wildflowers than we had expected. We are already planning on returning to Elijah Bristow to check out more of the trails there at some point. Jasper State Recreation Area was a pleasant addition to the stops, but it wouldn’t be a place that we would visit again if we were simply looking for a hike. It did however seem to be a great place to have a picnic with the family and spend a day along the river. Happy Trails!
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Moss carpet
The first of several road and/or OHV trail crossings.
Skunk cabbage
Coming to an OHV trail crossing.
Violet
Another OHV crossing.
Trillium
Mushrooms
Approximately 1.4-miles along the Wilson River Wagon Road the trail followed Saddle Mountain Road for 150 yards before resuming on the far side.
The trail resuming on the left off Saddle Mountain Road.
Deyoe Creek
The Wilson River Wagon Road Trail arriving at University Falls Road across from the University Falls Trailhead.
University Falls Trailhead.
There was a clearcut on the right-hand side of the trail.
The Gravelle Brothers Trail joined from the right after 0.2-miles. This is the trail we’d used to reach the falls in 2015.
Salmonberry blossoms
Trillium near the falls.
Heading down the road from the trailhead.
Coltsfoot
Wood sorrel
University Falls Road below to the right.
This appeared to be a new section of trail replacing the old alignment on the north side of the road.
The closed section of the trail that remains on the north side of the road.
The closed section of trail coming up on the right with the continuation of the trail ahead on the left.
The other end of the closed section.
This section was open so I waved Heather on and we headed down through the clearcut to the horse camp.
A lot more hikes may look like this if the current administration gets its way.
The horse camp in the trees.
Footbridge over Deyoe Creek.
Rough skinned newt.
In true Oregon fashion the weather was a mix of sprinkles and blue skies.
Violet enjoying some sunlight.
This stump looked suspiciously like Davey Jones from the Pirates of the Carribean movies to us.
Huckleberries
Devil’s Fork
I had arrived just after 6:30am so it was still a little dark as I set off.
Please respect private landowners wishes when recreating to ensure that public access continues to be allowed.
Looking back at the sunrise.
Entering the clearcut.
Bleeding heart
The OCT is well marked.
Woodpecker
Back in the forest.
Interpretive signs in the preserve.
Bench at a viewpoint.
Nehalem Bay (
Salmonberry blossom
Leaving the preserve.
Violets and pink fawn lilies. These were the first pink fawn lilies I had seen, it seems that we hadn’t timed our coastal hikes right to catch their bloom in the past.
Trillium
Fringecup
Toothwort
I made use of this bench on the way back to take a break and do some stretching.
View to the north.
Tillamook Head (
It was obvious that there had been some work done to try and shore up this section of trail.
The view south from the viewpoint.
Cape Meares (
Cascade desert parsley near the summit.
Looking up at the viewpoint from the OCT.
Trillium
This was the only obstacle that required any sort of maneuvering.
There are some great trees along the upper section of the trail.
Violets
Recent trail work.
Anemones and violets.
Entering the storm damaged area.
Angora Peak (
Getting creative with the trail route.
Out of the storm damage.
Skunk cabbage
Cape Falcon from the trail.
Pink fawn lilies
Arriving at Highway 101 near the North Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead.
Snow queen
He may have been moving faster than I was.
There is nothing better than hearing wrens sing in the forest.
More creative trail in the storm damaged area.
Wood sorrel
The view if you don’t scramble up the spine.
Trillium with a touch of pink.
Arriving at the packed trailhead.
Leaving the crowds behind.
Big patch of pink fawn lilies.
Highway 101 from the powerline corridor.
Margined white
One of the more impressive trees in the preserve.
Nearing the Highway 101 crossing. I arrived just as a long line of traffic was passing by but was able to safely cross shortly afterward.
Atwood Road
Death camas
Saxifrage and a yellow bells.
Grass widows
Gold stars, wood-land stars, and blue-eyed Mary.
Catherine Creek from Atwood Road.
Pungent desert parsley
Closer look at the arch.
Buttercup
I believe this was just our second time coming across these flowers.
Closer look at the Dutchman’s breeches.
Hairy bittercress (non-native)
Entering the sunlight.
Glacier lilies
wood-land stars
Toothwort
Columbia desert parsley
Heading through the forest.
Looking east as the road emerged from the forest.
Grassy hillside
Mt. Hood behind a few clouds.
Mt. Hood
Popcorn flower
Rowland Creek
Another user trail on the left, referred to as the Shoestring Trail by the Oregonhikers Field Guide. This trail is not shown on the Forest Service map nor is it mentioned on their website.
Coastal manroot
Grass widows
View of Mt. Hood’s summit.
Robin hunting worms.
Daffodils
The Upper Labyrinth Trail (aka Co8) joining from below. This was the first junction with signs naming official trails.
Labyrinth Creek below Atwood Road.
The Labyrinth Creek crossing.
Wet trail climbing away from Labyrinth Creek.
Red-tailed hawk
Yellow bells
We stayed left here.
We ignored the singletrack leading right on the far side of this unnamed stream.
Here we veered right on the single track. I believe the single track is the “official trail” although both paths led to the signed junction.
A multitude of tracks near the junction.
On one of the switchbacks.
Turkey vulture
The upper viewpoint.
Balsamroot
Looking east over the Columbia River.
Gold stars
The 
Woolly-pod milk-vetch
Miniture lupine, redstem storksbill and a popcorn flower.
Fiddleneck
We turned right at this junction with the Old Ranch Trail to continue downhill.
Naked broomrape and redstem storksbill
Tomcat clover and redstem storksbill
We ignored the Little Maui Connector Trail on the left near the old highway.
Larkspur
Crossing for Labyrinth Creek.
First view of the Catherine Creek Trailhead on the plateau ahead.
Hound’s tongue
Rowland Creek
Rowland Basin
Lupine and balsamroot
The Rowland Pinnacle
The small blue sign on the left provides the pay by phone information. This was one of two such signs in the parking area.
Little Joe Creek
The pointer to the right was for the Sandy and Salmon Rivers (.25 miles) while continuing another .18 miles would bring us to the Sandy Ridge Trail System.
Start of the Falls Looop.
Primitive Trail number 2 with the Falls Loop continuing to the left.
This was a nice little cascade this time of year. Later in the Summer the flow reportedly drops down to a trickle.
The self-guided nature tour follows the Northern Loop Trail here as well.
Passing stop #6 on the self-guided tour (Forested Headwaters).
One of the creeks flowing from the forested headwaters.
There are a few Eagle Creeks in Oregon, this is the Eagle Creek that originates in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness (
Snow queen
One of several switchbacks.
Rough-skinned newt and snow queen.
Closer look at the newt.
Blue sky
Traversing the hillside.
The trail below as we neared a switchback to begin descending.
Viewpoint near the end of the loop.
The start of Loop D from Kitzmiller Road.
The remains of former signs can be seen at the split ahead.
The trail made a steady climb to the junction with the supposed Lollipop Loop.
The lower portion of the tree across the switchback.
Left is the continuation of Loop D. We stayed right to attempt the Lollipop Loop.
There were some cut trees along the trail mixed with more recent blowdown but nothing was particularly difficult to navigate.
Wren
There was a lot of snow queen.
The footbridge with a large tree across it.
Look back along the bridge.
The older blowdown had all be cut.
I made it through this muddy mess but couldn’t find any sign of tread on the opposite side.
Swagger Creek
Song sparrow (according to Merlin)
The second unsigned junction.
Swagger Creek (right) joining Clear Creek at the suspension bridge.
The Nature Trail wasn’t signed other than some “No Motor Vehicles” signs.
The old roadbed.
Relative locations of the three stops plus Milo McIver from our previous outing.
McIver Memorial Viewpoint
Clackamas River from the viewpoint.
The small trail sign on the left is labeled “Viewpoint Trail”.
Map on the signboard. Oddly the Viewpoint Trail is not shown on this map even though the trail continues past the signboard.
The Vortex Meadow through the trees.
Former model airplane landing strip in the meadow.
There were some limited views of the Clackamas River from this trail.
While we were happy to see trail signs again it was a little confusing to see the Riverbend Trail pointer here. Here again the maps that we had did not show this junction. They did show a 4-way junction between the Riverbend Trail and Vortex Loop but only after crossing a road which we had not done.
Viewpoint near the group camp.
Had we not backtracked through the group camp we would have connected with the Riverbend Trail after crossing a road then turned right on the Riverbend Trail, recrossed the road, and arrived at this junction on that trail which was now on our left.
Stellar’s jay
We stumbled on a one-leg standing competition that the local geese were engaged in.
The mallards seemed unimpressed with the geese’s balancing abilities.
Common mergansers
Common merganser drake
We found this nice little bridge wandering around the disc golf course attempting to connect with the Maple Ridge Trail.
The Cedar Knoll Trail connects the upper and lower segments of the Maple Ridge Trail. We stayed right on the Maple Ridge Trail.
Colorful fungi
Wood ducks on Wood Duck Pond. It’s pretty rare that the animal a feature is named after is actually present.
Not sure if this is just the biggest rough-skinned newt we’ve ever seen or a different type of salamander.
Great blue heron by a small pond. It was probably hunting the frogs that were croaking loudly here.
The sign ahead is for the Cedar Knoll Trail joining from the left.
Dropping down to the Riverbend Loop Trail junction.
The Maple Ridge Trail makes another nearly 180 degree turn here and drops down to the parking area a short distance from its other end.
We stayed right here again at a junction with a trail leading to the Maple Ridge Picnic Shelter.
I believe these are sweet coltsfoot starts.
There was a bench next to this nice little creek.
Nearing the Riverbend Day Use Area entrance road.
Song sparrow
It’s hard to make out but there is a coyote in this photo.
I have no idea what’s going on with this photo of the coyote as it was trotting away from us. Shortly after this it popped out from behind some brush and jumped into the air to pounce on something. That was the last we saw of it.
Squirrel
Left to right: Silver Star Mountain, Little Baldy, and Bluff Mountain (
Mt. Hood making a partial appearance.
1930 Caterpillar Model 30
Bridge over Cedar Creek.
Cedar Creek
North Scappoose Creek
Sun hitting the top a hill in the distance.
There was a lot of 
Forest along the trail.
One of several interpretive signboards along this segment.
While the Sun was out the trail remained mostly shaded and therefore cold. We both would have benefited from some slightly warmer layers.
Hair ice
More hair ice
Another interpretive sign ahead.
MP 13
The Nehalem Divide TH on the left and the Crown Z Trail continuing on the right.
I believe that is Silver Star Mountain (
North Scappoose Creek winding past a private home.
The Ruley Trailhead ahead.
Starfish, anemones, and mussels – 5/11/24 Crescent Beach, OR
Crab – 5/11/24 Crescent Beach, OR
Trout – 7/13/24 Joyce Lake, OR
Fish – 10/7/24 Salmon River, OR
Frog – 9/13/24 Sprague Lake (Mt. Jefferson Wilderness), OR
Toad – 8/31/24 Deep Lake (Sky Lakes Wilderness), OR
Western toad – 7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Rough-skinned newt – 1/27/24 Corvallis to Coast Trail, OR
Sagebrush lizard – 6/19/24 Deception Butte, OR
Western fence lizard – 5/25/24 Barnes Butte Recreation Area, Prineville, OR
Snake – 6/8/24 Tillamook State Forest, OR
Snake – 6/8/24 Tillamook State Forest, OR
Snake – 7/4/24 Horsepasture Mountain Trail, OR
Townsend’s chipmunk – 9/13/24 Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR
Least chipmunk – 8/20/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Golden-mantled ground squirrel – 8/20/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Columbian ground squirrels – 8/18/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
California ground squirrel – 5/25/24 Willow Creek Trail, Madras, OR
Red squirrel – 9/9/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Douglas squirrel – 2/3/24 Forest Park, Portland, OR
Yellow-bellied marmot – 5/25/24 Willow Creek Trail, Madras, OR
Leaning toward muskrat but it could be a nutria. – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
This one is for sure a nutria (invasive). – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, OR
Pika – 7/24/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Cottontail – 9/8/24 National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City, OR
Rabbit – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, OR
Roosevelt elk – 5/11/24 Ecola State Park, OR
Black-tailed deer – 3/30/24 Corvallis, OR
Black-tailed deer – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Mule deer – 8/22/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Mountain goat – 8/19/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness
Coyote – 10/5/24 Mt. Hood Wilderness, OR
Black bear – 8/22/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Cows – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Snail – 6/19/24 Buckhead Nature Trail, Westfir, OR
Beetle – 6/8/24 Tillamook State Forest, OR
Beetle – 8/31/24 Sky Lakes Wilderness, OR
Beetles – 7/22/24 Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Cricket – 9/9/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Cicada – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Crane flies – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path Eugene, OR
Dragon fly – 6/19/24 Deception Butte Trail, OR
Dragonfly – 8/31/24 Sky Lakes Wilderness, OR
Dragonfly – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Flying ants – 7/13/24 Nasty Rock, OR
A pollinator – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
A pollinator – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Seet bee – 8/18/24 Cliff Creek Trail, OR
Bees – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Spider – 4/13/24 Sams-Walker Day Use Area
Find the crab spider (hint: one of the white blooms). – 7/4/24 Olallie Trail, OR
Spider hunting a moth. – 7/22/24 – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Millipede – 6/19/24 Deception Butte, OR
Caterpillar – 6/22/24 Big Huckleberry Mountain, OR
Caterpillars – Pine Lakes Trail, OR
Woolly bear caterpillar – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Crescent butterfly and another pollinaotr – 7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail, OR
Skipper and flies – 5/25/24 Barnes Butte Recreation Area, Prineville, OR
Arctic skipper – 6/1/24 Cook Hill, WA
Northern cloudywing – 6/19/24 Deception Butte, OR
Persius duskywing (Erynnis persius) – 7/4/24 Horsepasture Mountain, OR
Possibly a Pacuvius duskywing – 7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Western meadow fritillary – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Fritillary – 7/13/24 Nasty Rock, OR
Fritillary – 8/22/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Myllita crescent (female) – 7/22/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Myllita crescent (male) – 7/24/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Field crescent – 9/13/24 Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR
Edith’s checkerspot – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Snowberry checkerspot (male) – 7/13/24 Nasty Rock, OR
Snowberry checkerspot (female) – 7/13/24 Nasty Rock, OR
Green comma – 8/20/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Painted lady – 9/13/24 Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR
California tortoiseshell – 7/23/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Milbert’s tortoiseshell – 5/26/24 Madison Butte, OR
Common woodnymph – 7/22/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Great arctic – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Monarch butterfly – 7/24/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Orange tip – 5/26/24 Madison Butte, OR
Pine white – 8/31/24 Sky Lakes Wilderness, OR
Becker’s white – 8/18/24 Cliff Creek Trail, OR
Clodius parnassian – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Margined white? – 7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail, OR
Not sure which sulphur this is – 7/22/24 Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Also unsure which sulphur this is – 8/20/24 Chimney-Wood Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Oregon swallowtail – 5/26/24 Madison Butte, OR
Western tiger swallowtail – 7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail, OR
6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
8/18/24 Cliff Creek Trail, OR
7/22/24 Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
7/24/24 Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
8/20/24 Chimney-Wood Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail, OR
Echo azure? – 4/13/24 Beacon Rock State Park, WA
Moth – 06/08/24 Tillamook State Forest, OR
Moth – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Moth – 6/29/24 Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Moth – 7/21/24 Hat Point, OR
Eight-spotted forester moth – 7/4/24 Olallie Trail, OR
Acorn woodpecker – 3/30/24 Mulkey Ridge Trail, Corvallis, OR
Lewis’s woodpecker – 8/31/24 Sky Lakes Wilderness, OR
Northern flicker – 6/19/24 Deception Butte, OR
Black-backed woodpecker? – 9/13/24 Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR
Hairy? woodpecker (I have a hard time with Hairy vs Downy woodpeckers) – 6/19/24 Deception Butte Trail, OR
Anna’s hummingbird – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Rufous hummingbird – 8/3/24 Crater Lake National Park, OR
American goldfinch – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
American robin – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
American dippers (ouzels) – 5/12/24 Lee Wooden Fishhawk Falls County Park, Clatsop County, OR
Black-headed grosbeak – 6/8/24 Cedar Butte (Tillamook State Forest), OR
Bullock’s oriole (top of photo) – 5/25/24 Willow Creek Trail, Madras, OR
LOL! This is the best photo of a varied thrush I could get this year. 2/3/24 Forest Park, Portland, OR
Hermit thrush – 6/15/24 O’Leary Mountain Trail (Willamette National Forest), OR
Chickadee – 9/9/24 Hidden Lake Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Dark-eyed junco – 3/30/24 Mulkey Ridge Trail, Corvallis, OR
Common yellowthroat – 5/28/24 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Dusky flycatcher – 8/19/24 Pine Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Hammond’s flycatcher – 8/22/24 East Fork Wallowa River Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Ash-throated flycatcher – 5/25/24 Willow Creek Trail, Madras, OR
Lazuli bunting – 5/25/24 Willow Creek Trail, Madras, OR
Mountain bluebirds – 8/18/24 Cliff Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Western bluebirds – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Cedar waxwing – 5/28/24 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
California jay – 3/30/24 Mary’s River Natural Park, Corvallis, OR
Canada jay – 6/19/24 Deception Butte Trail, OR
Stellar’s jay – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Crow – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Raven – 5/11/24 Ecola State Park, OR
Sage thrasher (new sighting for us) – 9/8/24 National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, OR
Western meadowlark – 5/28/24 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Western tanager – 7/24/24 Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Pine siskins – 8/20/24 Chimney-Wood Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Ruby-crowned kinglet – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Spotted towhee – 5/28/24 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Townsend solitaire – 9/13/24 Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR
Yellow-rumped warbler – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Orange-crowned warbler – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Wilson’s warbler – 6/8/24 Kilchis Forest Road (Tillamook State Forest), OR
Purple martins – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Tree swallows – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Barn swallows – 5/11/24 Fort Stevens State Park, OR
European starling – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Brewer’s blackbird – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Yellow-headed blackbird – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Red-winged blackbird – 2/10/24 Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Bushtit – 7/6/24 Independence River Front Park, Independence, OR
Brown creeper – 6/19/24 Deception Butte Trail, OR
White-breasted nuthatch – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Red-breasted nuthatch – 7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Pacific wren – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Marsh wren – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Rock wren – 5/25/24 Willow Creek Trail, Madras, OR
Golden-crowned sparrow – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Savanah sparrow – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Song sparrow – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Chipping sparrow – 4/13/24 Sams-Walker Day Use Area, WA
White-crowned sparrow – 4/13/24 Sams-Walker Day Use Area, WA
House finch – 5/28/24 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Cassin’s finch – 8/4/24 Crater Lake National Park, OR
Cassin’s vireo – 8/21/24 Maxwell Lake Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
American kestral – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Peregrine falcon – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Copper’s hawk – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Red-tailed hawk – 5/25/24 Willow Creek Trail, Madras, OR
Northern harrier – 5/28/24 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Osprey – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Bald eagles – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Turkey vulture – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Dusky grouse – 7/23/24 McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Sooty grouse – 8/31/24 Sky Lakes Wilderness, OR
Ruffed grouse – 11/28/24 Silver Falls State Park, OR
California quail – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Dove – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Pigeons – 9/8/24 National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, OR
Band-tailed pigeons – 6/8/24 Kilchis Forest Road (Tillamook State Forest), OR
Pigeon guillemont – 5/11/24 Ecola State Park, OR
Oyster catcher – 5/11/24 Ecola State Park, OR
Whimbrel – 5/11/24 Ecola State Park, OR
Seagull – 5/11/24 Ecola State Park, OR
Spotted sandpiper – 7/24/24 Bonny Lakes (Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Wilson’s phalarope (another first for us) – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Double-crested cormorant – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
American bittern – 5/28/24 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Great egret, female mallard, and great blue heron – 10/10/24 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Mallard drake – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Ruddy ducks – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Northern shoveler – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Buffleheads – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Green-winged teal – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Northern pintail and American wigeons – 2/10/24 Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Canvasbacks (first time sighting for us) – 2/10/24 Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Common merganser drake – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Hooded mergansers – 3/16/24 Middle Fork Path, Eugene, OR
Cinnamon teal – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Lesser scaups – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Greater scaup – 5/11/24 Skippanon River, Warrenton, OR
Ring-necked duck – 5/26/24 Bull Prairie Lake (Umatilla National Forest), OR
Gadwalls – 5/27/24 Crooked River Wetlands, Prineville, OR
Barrow’s goldeneye – 9/11/24 Pyramid Lake (Mt. Hood National Forest), OR
American coot – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Pie-billed grebe – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Eared grebe – 5/26/24 Bull Prairie Lake (Umatilla National Forest), OR
Horned grebe – 2/10/24 Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Canada geese – 4/20/24 Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, OR
Cackling geese – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Tundra swans (first sighting for us) – 2/24/24 Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, OR
Shellburg Creek
Trail sign ahead on the right marking the resumption of the Shellburg Falls Trail.
May 2011 view.
First sunlight hitting the rocks above the trail.
Barricade and sign marking the closed section of trail.
Some survivors on the far hillside.
I heard a number of woodpeckers throughout the day, but this was the only one I was able to spot.
Outhouse at the day use area up ahead.
Parking spots at the day use area along with the shelter. The trails on the left and right are the Vine Maple Trail, the shortest loop option at about 1-mile.
The only tree I had to step over on a trail all morning.
Arriving at the 4-way trail junction with the Shellburg Creek, August Mountain, and southern portion of the Vine Maple Trail.
I saw a good number of varied thrushes including 4 or 5 in this spot, but once again I failed at getting a clear picture.
The forest along the creek held up pretty well in the fire.
Frosty leaves
End of the line. I briefly searched for old tread before deciding that this was not in fact the Lost Creek Trail.
The T-junction
Heading uphill from the Shellburg Creek Trail.
As near as I can tell the decommissioned section of trail was the Lost Creek Trail as some maps show both the Lost Creek and Snag Loop Trails.
Arriving at the road crossing.
Shellburg/Ayers Creek Road (depending on the map)
On the other side of the intersection.
Some of the forest up higher had survived the fire as well.
Arriving at Lookout Mountain Road.
Gate at the border of Silver Falls State Park.
The unmistakable flat top of Coffin Mountain (
Evergreen violets – Viola sempervirens
Snow queen
While the Sun was out and it had warmed up a bit the shady areas were still frosty.
While not unobstructed, the fire had opened up partial views of Mt. Jefferson.
Mt. Jefferson through the trees.
Two of the deer.
Stassel Falls
Lower Shellburg Falls
2011
Rainbow and ice below Shellburg Falls.
Icicles on the rocks above Shellburg Creek.
August Mountain Trail on the left.
wanderingyuncks 