After getting a couple of extra hikes in during January, Winter finally arrived in February. We were down to our final chance to take our monthly offseason hike so regardless of the weather we planned on heading somewhere. I had a few options ready depending on the forecast which wound up being for a relatively dry morning followed by rain. We originally decided on a pair of hikes near Estacada, Eagle Fern Park and the Riverbend Loop at Milo McIver State Park.
We planned on starting our morning at Eagle Fern Park, but unfortunately the debit/credit card fee station there was out of order, and we weren’t carrying cash, making it impossible to pay the $8 day use fee charged by Clackamas County. (The county doesn’t have a way to pay online, that I could find.) After striking out at Eagle Fern Park we headed to Milo McIver where a State Park Pass is required. Day use passes went from $5 to $10 beginning in 2025 so for the first time we purchased an annual pass (online) which is only $30, or three visits to fee parks.
We parked in the McIver Memorial Viewpoint parking area and began our hike by following a paved path down to the viewpoint.
Gazebo near the parking lot.
McIver Memorial Viewpoint
On a clearer day there would be a view of the mountains here, but we had to settle for the mountain identifier to let us know what we were missing.
Clackamas River from the viewpoint.
We had visited this park in June 2020 and done a 6.5-mile loop around the southern half of the park (post). For this visit the plan was a lollipop around the northern portion. From the viewpoint we walked back toward the parking area and turned right (north) on a gravel path leading to a signboard.
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.
We continued past the signboard on the Viewpoint Trail which descended the hillside above the Vortex Meadow before reaching a junction with the Vortex Loop near the edge of the meadow.
The Vortex Meadow through the trees.
At an unsigned 4-way junction with the Vortex Loop we turned right and headed further into the meadow.
Former model airplane landing strip in the meadow.
The lack of signage combined with some trails not being shown on the maps we had, created some issues as we neared the SE end of the meadow. We came to a group of picnic tables where a trail headed left toward them. It appears, based on our final GPS track compared to the route shown in the Oregon Hikers Field Guide and the park map, that this was the continuation of the Vortex Loop. We assumed it was simply a trail to the tables and continued straight through the meadow to a “T” junction at its edge.
We turned left on this trail, which again had no signage, and followed it staying right at junctions until we arrived at a 4-way junction with signs.
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.
We decided to follow the pointer for the Riverbend Trail to the right since that was the trail we were eventually to be on. A short distance later we came to another signed junction, but this one made no mention of the Riverbend Trail.
This junction really threw us off. We initially turned left following the pointer for the Vortex Trail but quickly talked ourselves out of it when it appeared to be heading away from the river. In hindsight this was the correct choice to follow the Oregon Hikers Route, but I failed to catch that in the hike description. We were still a little confused as to exactly where we were on the route as well due to having come to more junctions than we’d expected already. We backtracked to the junction and headed down into the Kingfisher Group Camp and picked up the continuation of a trail on the far side of the grassy area.
Viewpoint near the group camp.
This trail led us to a junction with the Riverbend Trail at the Riverbend disc golf course.
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.
We turned right on the Riverbend Trail and were now back on track with the route we had intended to be on. The Riverbend Trail passed between the river on the right and the Riverbend Day Use Area.
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
The Riverbend Trail brought us to a parking area near a boat ramp where we once again got a little confused.
We should have turned left here following the pointer but instead we continued past the boat ramp and picked up a trail on the far side of the parking area.
This trail was not the Riverbend Trail but rather was part of the disc golf course providing access to holes 5, 6, & 7, and it ended at the riverbank.
Common merganser drake
After consulting our maps once again we realized our mistake and that we should have turned left when we’d arrived at boat ramp.
We found this nice little bridge wandering around the disc golf course attempting to connect with the Maple Ridge Trail.
Stream below the little footbridge.
When it became clear that it wasn’t possible to reach the Maple Ridge Trail from this part of the disc golf course we made our way back to the boat ramp and walked up the paved road to a trail marker on the right.
We crossed a patch of grass to another set of trail signs where we found a pointer for the Maple Ridge Trail.
We were back on track again and followed the Maple Ridge Trail uphill half a mile to Wood Duck Pond.
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.
At the pond the Maple Ridge Trail made a 180 degree turn and headed SE while continuing its gradual climb. A short distance from Wood Duck Pond was a signed spur trail to the 2008 Landslide Viewpoint.
We detoured the 150′ to the viewpoint.
While the cliffs were dramatic this short detour also resulted in us spotting a large newt/salamander and a great blue heron.
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.
We returned to the Maple Ridge Trail and followed it to a junction with the Riverbend Loop Trail. This stretch of trail climbed a little more before leveling out somewhat and eventually dropping back down to the junction.
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.
When the Riverbend Trail arrived at the entrance road it turned uphill.
After a short climb we arrived at a junction where we turned right leaving the Riverbend Trail.
A very short distance later we came to a junction with the Vortex Loop where we also turned right.
Had we not gotten confused and gone through the group camp earlier we would have come to both of these junctions before. In any event we followed the Vortex Loop uphill, steeply at times, to a crossing of the paved road across from the Vortex Meadow.
Song sparrow
At the junction in the meadow we turned right onto the unsigned Viewpoint Trail and followed it back uphill to our car.
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 (post).
Mt. Hood making a partial appearance.
The weather held and we stayed dry despite having driven through several rain showers on the way to the park. Despite missing out on Eagle Fern Park it had been a good day of hiking. The trails weren’t too busy, and we got to see a fair amount of wildlife through the morning. This hike was approximately 6.4-miles with a little over 400′ of elevation gain.
We plan on trying Eagle Fern Park again in the not-too-distant future, and this time we’ll be sure to bring cash just in case. Happy Trails!
Flickr: Milo McIver Riverbend Loop
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.
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.
We started with this hike in part due to it being the first day of the final king tides, abnormally high tides, for the season. High tide for Smelt Sands was going to be 9:45am so we were hoping to see some of the wave action.
It was just before 8am as we hiked the 804 Trail.
We made a mistake and turned right on the paved path here, but we should have continued beyond the large signboard to a second path marked by a wooden post. You can see the small white and black to the left of the green signboard. We may have been distracted by “Free Coffee” being printed on the bottom of the green sign.
This post is similar to the one along the 804 Trail where we should have turned right.
Boardwalk over Mitchell Creek.
Grandmother Spruce
The upper end of the preserve trail.
Mushrooms
Approaching Starr Creek.
Starr Creek
The upper gate at the junction.
Ya’Xaik Trail
The right hand fork here is the trail leading down to the fire station that dog owners can use to make a loop. A local had warned us that this trail can be pretty slick. We went left to remain on the Ya’Xaik Trail.
There was a little climbing involved before the trail headed down to Diversity Drive.
The Ya’Xaik Trail at Diversity Drive.
The Woodland Trail continues to the left while the right connects up to a road.
A footbridge over the Red River below with a disc golf hole on the opposite ridge. We were able to use the OregonHikers Field Guide map to identify this connector trail as one we did not want to take. That map had many of the connector trails identified in red which helped keep our position located as well as keep us on the correct route.
The old roadbed at the bottom of the switchbacks.
Woodland Trail on the left and our next stop, the Lint Slough Trail, on the right.
Memorial plaque
There was a bypass uphill for this short flooded section.
There were a number of bufflehead ducks, a pair of geese, and one noisy great blue heron at the slough. All of the wildlife seemed to be positioned as far away from the trail as possible.
The great blue heron in a tree across the slough.
This little group of buffleheads was the exception.
I turned around at this bench due to not seeing an obvious continuation of the trail here. I had also lost Heather who had stayed up to avoid the flooded section and instead of returning to the trail I was on, on the other side of the flooded bench, stayed up on the higher path. That path began leading up uphill away from the actual trail without another way to get back to the correct path. She wound up backtracking and we met shortly after I had started back.
The slough from my turn around point.
Yarrow
Bull thistle (non-native)
Rose (probably non-native)
Looking north along the beach.
The view south.
The wet sand and debris from the high tide was up to the vegetation along much of the beach.
We decided to turn back at the creek partly to avoid crossing it, but also because we had been walking into the wind. It wasn’t a particularly cold day, but the wind chill was almost making it uncomfortable.
Seagull with a crab.
Cape Perpetua (
Buckley Creek
We had to ford Buckley Creek which was only a couple of inches deep at most.
Semipalmated plovers
Western gull
Heading back north.
The path back up to the parking area at Driftwood Beach.
Ocean spray – August 4th – Wizard Island (Crater Lake NP), OR
Olympic onion – June 8th – Cedar Butte, OR
One-sided wintergreen – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR
Tapertip onion – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR
Ookow – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Orange agoseris – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Orange globe mallow- May 25th – Barnes Butte (Prineville), OR
An orchid – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Oregon bluebells – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain Trail, OR
Oregon grape – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Oregon sunshine – July 13th – Nasty Rock Trail, OR
Pacific coralroot – July 13th – Joyce Lake Trail, OR
Pacific hound’s tongue – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Pacific waterleaf – May 12th – Cathedral Tree Trail, OR
Indian paintbrush – May 25th – Willow Creek Canyon, OR
Paintbrush – probably scarlet (Castilleja miniata) – August 18th – Cliff Creek Trail (Wallowa-Whitman National Forest), OR
Parry’s arnica – July 21st – Hat Point, OR
Patridge foot – September 13th – Pacific Crest Trail (Mt. Jefferson Wilderness), OR
Gray sagewort – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR
Pea-vine – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Pearly everlasting – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Woolly head clover – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Pennycress – July 23rd – McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Penstemon – May 25th – Barnes Butte (Prineville), OR
Penstemon – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Pestemon – July 13th – Nasty Rock Trail, OR
Venus penstemon – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR
Globe penstemon – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
A phacelia – July 26th – East Peak (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Phantom orchid – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Phlox – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Pinedrops – August 3rd – The Pinnacles Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR
Pink pyrola – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Pioneer violet – April 13th – Wind Mountain, WA
Woolly goldenweed? (If so this was a first for us.) – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Prairie smoke – May 26th – Bull Prairie Lake, OR
Prince’s pine – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Purple dead-nettle – February 24th – Fernhill Wetlands, OR
Purpleflower honeysuckle – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Pussypaws – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR
Pussytoes – July 13th – Nasty Rock Trail, OR
Queen’s cup – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Raceme pussytoes – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Rosy pussytoes – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Ragwort – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Red clover – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Red flowering currant – April 13th – Wind Mountain, WA
Rhododendron – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR
Rockcress – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Rose campion (non-native) – June 19th – Buckhead Nature Trail, OR
Rosy bird’s-foot trefoil – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Sagebrush mariposa lily – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Salal – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Salmonberry – April 13th – St. Cloud Trail, WA
Sandwort – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Saxifrage – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Scarlet gilia – July 4th – Horsepasture Mountain, OR
Scouler’s bluebell – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Scouler’s corydalis – April 13th – Lower Archer Falls, WA
Scouler’s woollyweed – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Seaside bittercress – May 11th – Ecola State Park, OR
Self-heal – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Serviceberry – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Shooting star – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Silverleaf phacelia – May 25th – Willow Creek Canyon, OR
Silvery raillardella (new to us) – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR
Sitka mist-maidens – April 27th – Wahkeena Trail, OR
Skunk cabbage – May 11th – Ecola State Park, OR
Slender phlox – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
mall-flowered woodland-star – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Small bluebells – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Snowberry – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Solomonseal – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR
Oregon oxalis – April 13th – Lower Archer Falls, WA
Spirea betulifolia – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Spiraea douglasii – July 6th – Independence Riverfront Park, OR
Spiraea splendens – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR
Spotted coralroot – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Spreading dogbane – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Spreading stickseed? – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Star-flowered false solomonseal – June 8th – Cedar Butte, OR
Starflower – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Stonecrop – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Wormleaf stonecrop – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Strawberry – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Streambank globe-mallow – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Sub-alpine mariposa lily – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Sugar sticks – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Swamp onion – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Chicory (non-native) – August 18th – Cliff Creek Trail (Wallowa-Whitman National Forest), OR
Sweet coltsfoot – April 27th – Wahkeena Trail, OR
Tall bluebells – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain Trail, OR
Tansy ragwort (non-native) – July 6th – Independence Riverfront Park, OR
Tasselflower brickellbrush – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Thimbleberry – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR
Thistle – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Thistle (non-native) – July 6th – Independence Riverfront Park, OR
Greene’s thistle (Cirsium inamoenum) – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR
Threadleaf phacelia – May 25th – Barnes Butte (Prineville), OR
Tiger lilies – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Dalmation toadflax (non-native) – May 25th – Willow Creek Trail (Madras), OR
Tolmie’s mariposa lily – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Toothwort – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Trillium – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Twinberry – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR
Twin flower – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Valerian – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Vanilla leaf – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Variable-leaf collomia – June 8th – Cedar Butte Road, OR
Vetch – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Vine maple – April 13th – Lower Archer Falls, WA
Violet – March 6th – Dorris Ranch (Eugene), OR
Violet – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR
Canary violet – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Hookedspur violets – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Wallflower – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Wallowa paintbrush – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR
Washington lily – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Western buttercups – March 16th – Middle Fork Willamette Path (Eugene), OR
Western clematis – August 19th – Pine Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Western featherbells – July 13th – Nasty Rock Trail, OR
Western Labrador tea – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR
Western meadowrue – April 27th – Angel’s Rest Trail, OR
Western snakeroot – August 4th – Wizard Island (Crater Lake NP), OR
White mariposa lily – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Bushy blazing-star (Mentzelia dispersa) – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Tough-leaved iris – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Wild onion (Tolmie’s?) – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Wild roses – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Willowherb – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Wintergreen – July 13th – Nasty Rock Trail, OR
Possibly woolly groundsel – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Yarrow – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Yellow bell – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Yellow columbine – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Yellowleaf iris – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR
Yellow sweet clover (non-native) – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Youth-on-age – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Zigzag groundsmoke – August 3rd – The Pinnacles Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR
Invasive Queen Anne’s Lace lower right corner.
Agoseris – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR
Allumroot – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR
Alpine pennycress – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
American Sawwort (Saussurea americana) – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Arnica – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Drummond’s anemone seedhead – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR
Columbia windflower (Anemone deltoidea) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Apple blossoms – April 13th – St. Cloud Trail, WA
Heartleaf arnica – May 26th – Bull Prairie Lake, OR
Broadleaf arnica – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Arrowleaf buckwheat – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Western mountain aster – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Showy? aster – August 22nd – East Fork Wallowa River Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Thick-stemmed aster and buckwheat – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR
Another aster (or fleabane) – August 20th – Bowman Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Largeleaf avens – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Bachelor buttons (non-native) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Ballhead sandwort – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Ballhead waterleaf – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Carey’s balsamroot – May 25th – Willow Creek Canyon, OR
Arrowleaf balsamroot – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Baneberry – May 18th – Wilson River Trail, OR
Bastard toadflax – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Woodland beardtongue – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Beargrass – June 8th – Cedar Butte, OR
Bigleaf maple – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Bindweed – August 18th – Cliff Creek Trail (Wallowa-Whitman National Forest), OR
Barestem biscuitroot – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Trailing blackberry – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Bleeding heart – April 27th – Devil’s Rest Trail, OR
Blue-eyed Mary – April 13th – Wind Mountain, WA
Bluebell-of-Scotland – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Bluehead gilia – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Bog Orchid – July 23rd – McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Bolander’s Ragwort – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Daisies (non-native) – June 19th – Buckhead Nature Trail, OR
Sulphur-flower wild buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Barestem wild buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum) – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Cushion wild buckwheat – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR
Alpine wild buckwheat – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR
Buek’s groundsel – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR
Carolina bugbane – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Bunchberry – July 13th – Joyce Lake Trail, OR
Buttercup – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Bistort – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
California-tea – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
California cornlily – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Camas – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR
Canadian milk-vetch – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Candy flower – April 13th – Sams-Walker Day Use Area, WA
Cardwell’s penstemon – June 8th – Tillamook State Forest (Road FB3), OR
Catchfly – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Ceanothus – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR
Chocolate lily – April 13th – Doetsch Ranch, WA
Meadow checker-mallow – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Rose checker-mallow – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Oregon checker-mallow – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Chickweed – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Cinquefoil – June 29th – Hiyu Ridge, OR
Shrubby cinquefoil – July 21st – Hat Point, OR
Farewell to spring (Clarkia amoena) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Cliff beardtongue – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Coyote mountain mint – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Clover – August 22nd – East Fork Wallowa River Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Coastal manroot – May 11th – Crescent Beach Trail, OR
Columbian larkspur – March 16th – Middle Fork Willamette Path (Eugene), OR
Columbine – June 29th – Hiyu Ridge, OR
Common butterwort? – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Common madia – May 28th – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
Common whipplea – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Coneflower – August 17th – Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, OR
Cusick’s speedwell – July 23rd – McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Cut-leaf thelypody – May 25th – Willow Creek Trail, OR
Cutleaf anemone – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Death camas – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Desert yellow fleabane – May 25th – Willow Creek Trail, OR
Devil’s club – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Dogwood – April 20th – Rood Bridge Park, OR
Dusty maidens – July 26th – East Peak (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Dwarf alpinegold – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR
Dwarf lupine – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR
Elderberry – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Elephants head – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR
Elkhorn clarkia – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR
Engilish plantain (non-native) – May 11th – Fort Stevens State Park, OR
Explorer’s gentian – September 21st – Black Wolf Meadows, OR
Fairy bells – April 27th – Wahkeena Trail, OR
Fairy lanterns – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Fairy slipper – April 13th – Wind Mountain, WA
Fawn lilies – March 30th – Mulkey Ridge Trail (Corvallis), OR
Felt-leaf everlasting – August 4th – Crater Lake National Park, OR
Finetooth beardtongue – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Fireweed – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
False hellebore – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
A fleabane? – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Showy? fleabane – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Flett’s ragwort – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Ground-ivy (non-native) – April 13th – Sams-Walker Day Use Area, WA
Foam flower – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Fringecup – April 13th – Lower Archer Falls, WA
Fringed pinesap – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Gentian – August 19th – Pine Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Geranium – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Ghost pipe – August 22nd – East Fork Wallowa River Trail, OR
Giant purple wakerobin (Trillium kurabayashii) – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR
Giant white wakerobin (Trillium albidum) – April 20th – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, OR
Wild ginger – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Glacier lilies- May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Rocky Mountain goldenrod – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Gold stars – April 27th – Wahkeena Trail, OR
Grass-of-parnassus – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Grass widows – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Gray’s licorice-root – August 3rd – Castle Crest Wildflower Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR
Greene’s goldenbush – August 3rd – The Pinnacles Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR
Groundsel – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Harebells – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Hedgenettle – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Hoary Cress (non-native) – May 25th – Barnes Butte (Prineville), OR
Honeysuckle – June 29th – Hiyu Ridge Trail, OR
Hooded ladies tresses – August 20th – Chimney Lake Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Idaho licorice-root – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Inside-out-flower – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Royal Jacob’s ladder – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Jacob’s ladder – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Jessica’s stickseed – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Lance-leaf spring beauty – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Large-flower triteleia – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Largeleaf sandwort – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain Trail, OR
Menzies’ Larkspur (Delphinium menziesii) – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Possibly rockslide larkspur (Delphinium glareosum) – July 13th – Nasty Rock, OR
Sierra larkspur (Delphinium glaucum) – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Leafy fleabane – June 19th – Deception Butte Trail, OR
Leafy miterwort – May 18th – Wilson River Trail, OR
Lemon-scented madia – May 25th – Willow Creek Canyon, OR
Lewis flax – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Lewis monkeyflower – August 3rd – Castle Crest Wildflower Trail (Crater Lake NP), OR
False lily of the valley – April 20th – Rood Bridge Park, OR
Littleleaf montia – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Little prince’s pine – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR
Longhorn plectritis – May 26th – Madison Butte, OR
Sickletop louswort – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Coiled lousewort – July 23rd – McCully Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Lupine – May 18th – Wilson River Trail, OR
Lupine – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Lyall’s goldenweed – July 26th – Mount Howard, OR
Microseris – June 22nd – Big Huckleberry Mountain, WA
Basalt? milk-vetch – May 25th – Barnes Butte (Prineville), OR
Mock orange – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Common monkey-flower (Erythranthe guttata) – June 1st – Cook Hill, WA
Chickweed monkey-flower (Erythranthe alsinoides) – June 8th – Cedar Butte Road, OR
Coastal monkey-flower (Erythranthe dentata) – June 8th – Kilchis Forest Road, OR
Monkshood – July 24th – Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Mountain ash – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Mountain death camas – July 22nd – Hurricane Creek Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Mountain heather – July 24th – Bonny Lakes Trail (Eagle Cap Wilderness), OR
Musk monkey-flower (Erythranthe moschata) – July 4th – Olallie Trail, OR
Naked broomrape – June 29th – Grasshopper Mountain, OR
Nettle-leaf giant hyssop – July 21st – Granny View Overlook (Hells Canyon), OR
Northern phlox – June 15th – O’Leary Mountain Trail, OR
Northwestern rabbit-tabbaco – September 13th – Pacific Crest Trail (Mt. Jefferson Wilderness), OR
Northwestern twayblade – July 13th – Nasty Rock Trail, OR
Nuttall’s linanthus – July 25th – Minam River Trail, OR
In July we took the Wallowa Lake Tramway up Mount Howard (
In August we traveled by boat to Wizard Island in Crater Lake National Park (
The Town Gulch Fire near Carson, OR was dangerously close to blocking our access to one of the featured hikes we needed to do to finish our goal (
January – Corvallis to Sea Trail
February – Sunrise from Maple Creek Road
March – Mary’s Peak from Fitton Green
April – Bridal Veil Falls
May – Fishhawk Falls
May – Willow Creek Trail
May – Juniper Hills Preserve (The trails here were/are closed so we simply parked along the road and took pictures.)
May – Madison Butte
June – Cook Hill
June – Deception Butte Trail
June – Mt. Adams from Big Huckleberry Mountain
June – Grasshopper Meadow (Unfortunately this area burned by the Young Grasshopper Fire in September.)
July – Horsepasture Mountain
July – Nasty Rock Trail
July – Lower Bonny Lake
July – Minam Lake
July – Mount Howard
August – The Pinnacles
August – Downing Creek Falls
August – Schneider Cabin
August – Pine Lakes Trail
August – Laverty Lake
August – Aneroid Lake
September – Hidden Lake
September – Mt. Jefferson from Sprague Lake
September – Black Wolf Meadows
October – White River Canyon
October – Kinzel Lake
October – Sawtooth Trail
October – William L. Finely National Wildlife Refuge
October – Gold Lake Shelter
November – Silver Falls State Park
December – McKenzie River Trail
The trailhead.
The caution sign was related to some pile burning that the Forest Service had been doing.
McKenzie River
Mushrooms
National Recreation Trail symbol on a tree to the left.
Private Road sign on Duffy Rd.
There was quite a bit of witches’ butter fungus along the trail.
There were a lot of other mushrooms too.
Unnamed creek crossing.
Ruby-crowned kinglet. We didn’t see much wildlife on this hike but there were several kinglets flitting among the trees here. This was the only photo of one I managed to get though.
We had not expected any blue sky so this was a treat. It had rained for most of the drive and sprinkled for a minute shortly after we started hiking, but it had been dry otherwise.
The trail switching back up a small hill.
The most significant elevation change was this decent to a footbridge over Lost Creek.
Coral fungus
Lost Creek
The footbridge over Lost Creek was a little over 4.5-miles from the Lower McKenzie Trailhead.
Lost Creek
Willamette National Forest Boundary
Approximately 5.25-miles from the trailhead we crossed Belknap Hot Springs Road.
Sign for the 
Unnamed seasonal stream.
Footbridge over Scott Creek.
Scott Creek
Mushrooms
Footbridge over Boulder Creek.
Highway 126 bridge over Boulder Creek from the footbridge.
Boulder Creek flowing into the McKenzie River.
Forest Road 2650.
Boat ramp at Forest Road 2650.
The river from Forest Road 2650.
This short section along the road is just east of Belknap Springs Road.
Madrones
A little sunlight on the forest floor.
Rain shower falling over Lost Creek. It wasn’t raining hard enough to convince me to pull my rain gear back out.
I spotted Heather with a little over three and a quarter mile left back to the trailhead. (Look for a little orange in the trees ahead and to the right of the trail.)
Ours was the only car at the trailhead when we got back.
Red – Clear Lake, June 2014 (
The North Rim Trail heads left at a fork with the Twin Falls Trail a short distance from the parking lot.
I stuck to the North Rim Trail here leaving another (short) trail to do next time.
The Nature Play Area along the loop trail I didn’t take.
One of two bridges along the North Rim Trail.
Railing near the North Falls Viewpoint.
North Falls from the viewpoint.
North Falls
Map located at the North Falls Trailhead.
Upper North Falls from the Upper North Falls Trail.
Upper North Falls.
The split in the Trail of Ten Falls where the Canyon Trail heads down to North Falls.
North Falls
Trail behind North Falls.
Behind North Falls.
I will always take pictures of these large boulders in the creek.
Trail marker at the Twin Falls Trail junction.
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is a tough one to get a good clear view of the full waterfall. Recent rainfall had provided good flow for this fall which helps with the visibility.
This is Twin Falls on July 7, 2006.
All the rain had the side creeks and falls flowing as well.
Nearing the Winter Falls Trail and its bridge over the creek.
The view from the bridge.
Winter Falls from the Winter Falls Trail.
Winter Falls
The forecast had called for sunny skies, but we were also dealing with an air stagnation warning. For a brief moment I thought the fog might burn off, but that never materialized and by the time I arrived at South Falls more fog had rolled in.
There are some nice big trees scattered throughout the park.
Trail of Ten Falls/Canyon Trail above South Falls.
South Falls
Behind South Falls
For a short loop just to South Falls you can cross the bridge and return to the rim.
The trail below heading for Lower South Falls.
From behind Lower South Falls. I scared a poor woman so badly as I neared the falls. She was setting her phone up on a tripod for a selfie and didn’t see me coming nor could she hear me with the roar of the falls until I was just a couple of feet away. When I said that I was just going to sneak behind her she let out the loudest scream I’ve heard in a while.
Ankle deep pools behind the falls.
Lower South Falls
The mile long Maple Trail (right) allows for a shorter loop to both the falls on South Fork Silver Creek.
This is now the North Fork Silver Creek.
Unnamed falls on a side creek.
The footbridge over the North Fork Silver Creek.
Pool below the bridge.
Lower North Falls
Footbridge over Hult Creek and the spur trail to Double Falls.
Double Falls
Back on the Canyon Trail.
More fog.
Drake Falls
Middle North Falls
Spur trail (right) to Middle North Falls.
Behind Middle North Falls.
Splash pool
The Winter Falls Trail footbridge spanning the creek ahead on the right.
Chipmunk.
Twin Falls again which meant I was nearly to the Twin Falls Trail.
Twin Falls Trail junction.
The Twin Falls Trail leveled out near its end.
Arriving back at the junction with the North Rim Trail.
I spotted several ruffed grouse as I was driving out of the trailhead.
The pointer is for Gold Lake & Highway 58.
The pullout along FR 5897.
We were pleased to find that there was more snow left than we’d expected.
Coming up on the Gold Lake Trail.
Trail signs at this well marked junction.
Campsites on the right at the Gold Lake Campground.
Looking back up the Gold Lake Trail.
Downstream several miles Salt Creek flows over Salt Creek Falls (
Signs ahead for the Marilyn Lakes Trail.
The left-hand fork led up to FR 500. We took this fork on our way back.
Heading toward the lakes.
The right-hand fork is the start of the Lower Marilyn Lakes Trail.
Lower Marilyn Lake
A lot of downed trees had been logged out.
We lost the trail briefly in this area and simply headed for the diamond in the distance.
Upper Marilyn Lake
Canada jay
The cold air and moisture started fogging up my camera lens.
The trail got very overgrown just before reaching the road. We were pretty damp after passing through this mass of huckleberries.
Not sure what is going on with this mushroom.
A bald eagle was circling over the lake hoping to catch a fish for breakfast.
Common mergansers
Diamond Peak (
Diamond Peak and Mt. Yoran with a few of the mergansers flying overhead.
The eagle was now watching us.
We went straight here this time and followed this trail 0.4-miles to FR 500.
Gold Lake
More fogging on the lens.
The dry creek bed ahead.
Bear tracks. We weren’t the only visitors to the shoreline.
Mount Ray
Howkum Lake on our left was the first lake we passed by.
Reflection in Howkum Lake.
Nearing the second lake on the left, Horsefly Lake.
Horsefly Lake
Tiny Lake
The junction with the Jim Weaver Loop was next to a small unnamed lake.
A different bear had been wandering around this area.
We could tell it was a different bear because the prints were noticeably larger. (11 1/2 shoe size for reference.)
Signs at the junction.
View from the junction.
I dropped down to the shore on the other side of this footbridge.
The longer hump to the right in the distance is Waldo Mountain (
Fuji Mountain (
Tree reflecting in snowmelt.
Betty Lake had some nice coloration.
Mount Ray from Betty Lake again.
A look at the two hikes proximity to each other.
wanderingyuncks 