A mostly sunny, near 60-degree forecast, looked too good to pass up so we decided to head out and attempt a pair of short hikes in the Oregon Coast Ranges Tillamook State Forest. Our first stop was along Maple Creek Road for a hike to Ki-a-Kuts Falls.
Sunrise from the trailhead.
Clear cut at the trailhead.
The old alignment of the road was said to be located approximately 80 yards from the trailhead, but it appears that between time, storms, and logging operations the old road has become far less obvious.
This was the view through the forest from Maple Creek Road around the 80-yard mark.
We hiked further up Maple Creek Road and checked for a way down to the old alignment, but in the end decided that the slick conditions combined with the amount of blowdown on the hillsides would have made for a much more challenging hike than we were looking to tackle.
We could hear the Tualatin River in the valley below and I managed to get far enough down the hill to get a glimpse of the water. I had descended from a pullout with a fire ring about 50-75′ looking for the old roadbed, but I still couldn’t make out where it actually was and had been slipping a lot on wet wood.
After climbing back up to Heather I called an audible and we turned to Plan B. The second hike we’d originally planned on was a 1.5-mile out and back further into the forest to visit Stairstep Falls, a rapid more than a fall, that requires fording the 25 yard wide Middle Fork North Fork Trask River. We decided against attempting that hike because it would effectively end our hiking day by leaving the only pair of hiking shoes I’d brought soaked. That was fine when it was going to be the final hike of our day, but we wanted to get a little more than 2.5-miles in. (We’d done close to 1 looking for the way to Ki-a-Kuts Falls.)
I’d known going in that there was a chance that we’d need to turn to Plan B because the most recent trip reports I could find for Ki-a-Kuts Falls was from 2014. That Plan B had been Fernhill Wetlands. Located in Forest Grove, OR the trailhead was just 26-miles from where we were. We drove back to Yamhill and then headed North on Highway 47 to the Fernhill Wetlands Trailhead.
Map and information at the trailhead.
There are several loops possible at the wetlands and we hoped to maximize these, so we headed south along Fernhill Marsh.
Starling
Lenticular clouds over Mt. Hood in the distance.
Our first wildflower of the year is Indian plum in 2024.
Egret
Path at Fernhill Wetlands.
We stayed straight at a junction with a path between Fernhill Marsh and Cattail Marsh.
Gazebo overlooking Cattail Marsh.
Great blue heron on a post above Cattail Marsh.
American coot
At the next junction we turned left between Cattail and Eagles Perch Marshes.
Another great blue heron.
Red-winged blackbird
Hawk flying over Eagles Perch Marsh.
Fittingly at the far end of the marsh were a pair of bald eagles.
We turned right and walked along Eagles Perch Marsh for a tenth of a mile to a gate along SW Geiger Rd.
Ring-necked ducks
Buffleheads
This one might be a hooded merganser?
After turning around we headed north passing Cattail Marsh and arriving at Fernhill Lake.
Fernhill Lake
The trail bent eastward along the lake to a gazebo overlooking Barney Wetlands. From the gazebo we watched a flock of tundra swans. This was our second outing in a row (Wapato Lake) seeing tundra swans after not ever having seen them on a hike prior.
This is where the trail turned east (for obvious reasons).
Barney wetlands
There were also quite a few ruddy ducks here which we don’t often see.
After a good long break watching the swans we continued around Fernhill Lake to Dabblers Marsh.
Double-crested cormorant on a post in Barney Wetlands.
Double-crested cormorant
Drying off in the sun.
Nurtia at a bench near Dabblers Marsh
Nutria
Dabblers Marsh
Green-winged teal
Great blue heron
Pie-billed grebe
We turned west between Fernhill Lake and Dabblers Marsh and came to a nice view of the lake and the start of the Dabblers Marsh Loop Trail.
We turned onto the woodchip path along Dabblers Marsh and followed pointers to a loop around some farmland.
Robin
The start of the loop at the edge of the farmland. We stayed left opting to hike the loop clockwise.
Anna’s hummingbrid
A gaggle of geese in the field.
American kestrels manning their posts.
Purple dead-nettle
More geese coming in for a landing.
Near the end of the loop the trail left the field along Dabblers Marsh.
Spotted towhee
Rabbit
After completing the loop and returning to Fernhill Lake we did a loop through the Water Gardens.
Geese on Fernhill Lake
Mallard drake
Mallard female
Water Gardens
Northern shovelers, a mallard, and a coot.
Oregon grape beginning to bloom.
Northern shoveler
Green-winged teal pair
Path along the Research Wetlands.
Egret near the parking lot at Fernhill Marsh
Looking back at the Research Wetlands from the near the trailhead.
We managed to get 3.7-miles in at the wetlands and saw a lot of birds and other animals. While there were quite a few more folks here than we’d seen on our previous hike at nearby Wapato Lake Wildlife Refuge, it never felt too busy. Plan B had earned an A+ in our books. Happy Trails!
Harvester ants – 5/29/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend
Ant on penstemon – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Crab spider on a California harebell – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District
Bee – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District
Bees – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest
Sweat bee? and a beetle on a prickly pear cactus – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Beetle – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Beetle – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Beetle on a white mariposa lily – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Beetle and another bug on spirea – 7/4/23, Rocky Top Trail, Santiam State Forest
Beetles on thistle – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Ladybug on a daisy – 7/4/23, Natural Arch Trail, Santiam State Forest
Common pill-bug – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District
Beetle – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Beetle and a butterfly on buckwheat – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Grasshopper – 9/3/23, P Ranch, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Cricket – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Caterpillar – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Caterpillar – 7/1/23, Hummocks Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA
Caterpillar – 8/16/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Millipede – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Millipedes – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Eight-spotted Forester-Alypia octomaculata – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest
Fireweed Clearwing Moth (Albuna pyramidalis) – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest
Moth – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest
Moths – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA
Moth – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA
Moth – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA
Moth – 6/16/23, Trail 1890, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Moth – 7/4/23, Rocky Top Trail, North Santiam State Park
Moth – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District
Moth – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Moth – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness
Moth – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest
Sphinx moth – 8/17/23, West Eagle Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Fly and butterfly – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Boisduval’s blues? – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA
Acmon blue? – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Eastern tailed blue? – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville
Butterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 5/2/23, Sterling Mind Ditch Trail System, BLM Medford District
Butterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Butterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Butterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 6/13/23, Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, Joseph
Echo azures? – 5/4/23, Forest Road 011, Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest
Butterfly in the Lycaenidae family – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA
Butterflies in the Lycaenidae family – 7/4/23, Niagra Heights Road, Santiam State Forest
Gray hairstreak – 6/11/23, Lewis & Clark Trail, Hermiston
Thicket hairstreak? – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest
A hairstreak – 6/3/23, Buck Creek Trail, Husum, WA
Various butterflies – 6/16/23, Deep Creek Stairway Trail, Payette National Forest, ID
Lorquin’s admiral – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Red admiral – 7/23/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest
California sister – 10/8/23, Forest Road 041, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Painted lady – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
California tortoiseshell – 9/16/23, Fish Lake Trail, Mt. Hood National Forest
Milbert’s tortoiseshell – 8/14/23, Main Eagle Creek Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Hoary comma – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest
Mourning cloak – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Common wood nymph – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Ochre ringlet – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Checkerspot – 7/29/23, Stuart Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Checkerspot – 7/1/23, Boundary Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA
Snowberry checkerspot – 7/1/23, Boundary Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA
Edith’s checkerspot – 7/8/23, Sand Mountain, Willamette National Forest
Mylitta crescent – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
A crescent? – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville
Fritillary butterflies – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
A fritillary – 7/4/23, Rocky Top Trail, Santiam State Forest
A fritillary – 7/15/23, Forest Road 4610, Mt. Hood National Forest
Indra swallowtail – 5/4/23, Kerby Flat Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Oregon swallowtail? with ladybug – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Swallowtail – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA
Western swallowtails – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Swallowtail – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
A sulphur – 9/9/23, Alta Lake Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness
Large marble – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Becker’s white – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Male margined white? – 8/29/23, Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park, Oregon City
Mountain parnassian – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Clodius parnassian – 7/29/23, Pumice Flat Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Silver-spotted Skipper – 6/14/23, Eureka Bar, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
A skipper – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
A skipper – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
A skipper – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness
A skipper – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District
Skipper on a sagebrush mariposa lily – 7/23/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest
A skipper – 9/3/23, P Ranch, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Duskywing? – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness
Duskywing – 5/3/23, Waters Creek Interpretive Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Dreamy duskywing – 6/12/23, Imnaha River Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Dragonfly – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness
Dragonfly – 7/1/23, Hummocks Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA
Dragonfly – 7/15/23, Plaza Lake, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness
Dragonfly – 7/31/23, Godfrey Glen Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Dragonfly – 9/2/23, Idlewild Loop Trail, Malheur National Forest
Slug – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff Nature Park, Oregon City
Snail – 4/15/23, Enchanted Valley Trail, Siuslaw National Forest
Rough skinned newt – 4/15/23, Cape Mountain, Siuslaw National Forest
Tadpoles – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness
Western toads – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness
Full grown western toad – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness
Cascade frog – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness
Pacific treefrog – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District
Northern red-legged frog – 8/26/23, Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Cloverdale
Bullfrog (invasive) – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Western pond turtles – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Southern alligator lizard – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness
Western fence lizard – 5/3/23, Waters Creek Interpretive Trail, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Sagebrush lizard – 7/22/23, Shut-In Trail, Deschutes National Forest
Pygmy short-horned lizard – 7/8/23, Santiam Wagon Road, Willamette National Forest
Gopher snake – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District
Garter snake – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany
Rubber boa? – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Nutria (invasive) – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
Beaver – 5/29/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend
Yellow-bellied marmot – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Gray squirrel – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany
Douglas’ squirrel – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany
Eastern fox squirrel? – 4/29/23, Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park, Oregon City
Columbian ground squirrel – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Golden-mantled ground squirrel – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Chipmunk – 8/5/23, McNeil Point scramble trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness
Pika – 8/5/23, McNeil Point Trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness
Rabbit – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
Mountain cottontail – 5/29/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend
Fawns – 7/31/23, Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Doe – 5/20/23, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
Buck – 7/31/23, Rim Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Elk – 6/15/23, Buckhorn Road (FR 46), Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Horses – 9/3/23, Threemile Canyon, BLM Burns District
Bat -5/2/23, Sterling Mine Ditch Tunnel, BLM Medford District
Seals – 11/18/23, Siletz Bay, Lincoln City
Shell with inhabitant – 11/18/23, Nelscott Beach, Lincoln City
Starfish – 10/28/23, Short Beach, Oceanside
Trout – 8/16/23, Tombstone Lake, Eagle Cap Wilderness
Fish – 6/16/23, Hells Canyon Reservoir, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hermit thrush – 2/11/23, Council Crest Park, Portland
Pied billed grebe – 3/19/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Ring-necked duck – 3/25/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Bufflehead – 3/25/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Sparrow – 3/25/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Lesser goldfinch – 4/8/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Ruby-crowned kinglet? – 4/8/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Egret – 4/8/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Marsh wren – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
Geese, I believe both cackling and Canada – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
California quail – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
Northern shoveler – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
Western meadowlark (Oregon’s state bird) – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
Red-winged blackbird – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
Ruddy duck – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
Savannah sparrow – 4/13/23, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rickreall
Gold-crowned sparrow – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Red-breasted sapsuckers – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Hummingbird (Rufous?) – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Orange-crowned warbler – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Dark-eyed junco – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Northern flicker – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Turkey vulture – 4/14/23, Minto-Brown Island Park, Salem
Warbler? – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany
Osprey – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany
Cormorant – 4/22/23, Dave Clark Riverfront Path, Albany
Red-winged blackbird (female) – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Green-winged teal – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Yellow-rumped warbler (Audubon’s) – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Black phoebe – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Acorn woodpecker – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Hawk – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Mallards – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Chickadee (chestnut-backed?) – 4/22/23, Talking Water Gardens, Albany
Nashville warbler – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff Nature Park, Oregon City
Bewick’s wren – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff Nature Park, Oregon City
House finches – 4/29/23, Canemah Bluff Nature Park, Oregon City
Spotted towhee – 4/29/23 Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park, Oregon City
Common mergansers – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District
Bullock’s oriole – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District
American robin – 5/1/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, BLM Medford District
Greater yellowlegs – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
Mourning dove – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
Gadwall – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
Killdeer – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
Cinnamon teal – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
Anna’s hummingbird – 5/13/23, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Sherwood
American kestral – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville
European starling – 5/13/23, Graham Oaks Nature Park, Wilsonville
Wood duck – 5/23/23, Stigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
Belted kingfisher – 5/23/23, Stigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
American goldfinch – 5/23/23, Stigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
Spotted sandpiper – 5/23/23, Stigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
Purple martin – 5/23/23, Stigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
Common yellowthroat – 5/23/23, Stigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
American bittern – 5/23/23, Stigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Washougal, WA
Lark sparrow – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Horned lark – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Mountain bluebird – 5/28/23, Criterion Tract, BLM Prineville District
Black-headed grosbeak – 5/29/23, Riley Ranch Preserve, Bend
Lewis’s woodpecker – 5/29/23, Tumalo State Park, Bend
Magpie – 5/29/23, Tumalo State Park, Bend
Black-headed cowbird – 5/29/23, Tumalo State Park, Bend
Tree swallow – 5/29/23, Tumalo State Park, Bend
Pygmy nuthatch? – 5/29/23, Tumalo State Park, Bend
Lazuli bunting – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA
Yellow warbler – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA
Western bluebird – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA
Sandhill cranes – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA
Warbling vireo – 6/3/23, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Trout Lake, WA
Raven – 6/11/23, Lewis & Clark Trail, Hermiston
Eastern kingbird – 6/11/23, Lewis & Clark Trail, Hermiston
Caspian tern – 6/11/23, Lewis & Clark Trail, Hermiston
Geese – 6/11/23, Hat Rock State Park, Hermiston
Cliff swallows – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hawk – 6/14/23, Imnaha Trail, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Common nighthawk – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Chipping sparrow – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Cassin’s finch – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Western wood pee-wee – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Western tanager – 6/15/23, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Red-eyed vireo – 6/16/23, Trail 1890, Hells Canyon Wilderness
Bushtit – 6/24/23, Rogue River National Recreation Trail, Wild Rogue Wilderness
Macgillivray’s warbler? – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District
Woodpecker – 6/25/23, North Umpqua Trail, BLM Roseburg District
Hawk – 6/25/23, North Bank Habitat, BLM Roseburg District
White-crowned sparrow – 7/1/23, Boundary Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Cedar waxwings – 7/1/23, Boundary Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Ouzel – 7/22/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest
Sooty grouse – 7/22/23, Metolius River Trail, Deschutes National Forest
Canada jay – 8/5/23, Timberline Trail, Mt. Hood Wilderness
Wilson’s warbler? – 8/29/23, Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Cloverdale
Clark’s nutcrakcer – 9/2/23, Dry River Canyon, BLM Prineville District
Great horned owl – 9/3/23, P Ranch, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Western grebe – 9/3/23, Krumbo Reservoir, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Unidentified bird – 9/3/23, Krumbo Reservoir, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
White-faced ibis – 9/3/23, Cental Patrol Road, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Ring-necked pheasant – 9/3/23, Central Patrol Road, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Townsends solitaire – 9/4/23 Fryrear Canyon, BLM Prineville District
Rock wren? – 9/4/23 Fryrear Canyon, BLM Prineville District
Mountain chickadee – 9/4/23 Fryrear Canyon, BLM Prineville District
Black-backed woodpecker – 9/9/23, Pacific Crest Trail, Sky Lakes Wilderness
American pipit – 9/9/23, Devil’s Peak, Sky Lakes Wilderness
Golden eye – 9/16/23, Fish Lake, Mt. Hood National Forest
White-breasted nuthatch – 9/16/23, Fish Lake Trail, Mt. Hood National Forest
Stellar’s jay – 9/30/23, Big Creek Park, Newport
Red-tailed hawk – 9/30/23, Strom Boulder Ridge, Burnt Woods
Varied thrush – 10/9/23, Babyfoot Lake Trail, Kalmiopsis Wilderness
Seagull – 10/28/23, Oceanside Beach, Oceanside
Great blue heron – 10/28/23, Oceanside Beach, Oceanside
Red-throated loon – 10/28/23, Pacific Ocean, Oceanside
Bald eagle – 10/28/23, Tillamook Wetlands, Tillamook
Hawk – 10/28/23, Tillamook Wetlands, Tillamook
Hooded merganser – 11/18/23, D River, Lincoln City
Crows – 11/18/23, Siletz Bay, Lincoln City
Brown pelicans – 11/18/23, Siletz Bay, Lincoln City
We were a little confused by the sign on the left here stating the trail was closed. The website and signboard had said nothing about a closure and the gate at the far end of the bridge was open and others were already out on the levee. We assume they just hadn’t taken the sign down after the seasonal closure period.
Pointers on the levee.
Nutria (sigh). We had hopped it was a beaver but alas the whiskers give it away.
Geese, several species of ducks, and some shore birds.
A great blue heron along Wapato Creek.
Great blue heron
Wapato Lake
Beaver lodge
Northern shovelers and an American wigeon
Of course we forgot to bring binoculars making it even harder to make out which types of ducks were out there.
Ring-necked ducks with an American coot in the background.
Ring-necked duck and northern shovelers
Reflections in Wapato Lake
There is virtually no shade along the lake which wasn’t an issue today but could be in the heat of Summer. There are however three benches along the levee allowing for a place to sit and watch the birds.
Lesser scaups
Ducks flying over the lake.
Old bridge over Wapato Creek. The gravel surface ended at this bridge.
The coyote running off through the brush.
Tundra swans
Tundra swans
We decided to turn around at this bridge even though the levee continued. It appeared that the water was further away from the levee going forward and we hadn’t planned on going much more than 3-miles today.
Northern pintails and some green-winged teals.
American wigeons and a pair of green-winged teals.
There were a couple of times that blue sky seemed imminent.
Buffleheads
Iowa Hill (
More buffleheads
Immature bald eagle
Sparrow
Horned grebe
Canvasbacks, another first for us.
Great blue heron on the osprey nest.
Ther heron on the nest.
Mallards
Red-winged blackbird
Bald eagle
Nutria
Gaston from the refuge.
Green-winged teals
Northern pintails
Mostly American wigeons and green-winged teals
On the paved path back to the parking lot.
Some of the damage from the ice storm at the trailhead.
Sign for the Connector Trail at the trailhead.
Cannon Trail
Firelane 9 across from the trailhead.
Firelane 10
Unsurprisingly the recent weather had most of the stream beds flowing which we hadn’t witnessed on our other visits.
Heading up to the junction.
The Linnton Trail heads down a ridge to the 
We passed the Keyser Trail which rejoins Firelane 10 just a quarter mile ahead. We stuck to Firelane 10 which climbed very steeply in that quarter mile leading us to believe the Keyser Trail may have been a little more gradual as the map showed it bowing away from Firelane 10 before rejoining.
The first of only three trees that were still down over the trails we hiked. In the distance is a Wildwood Trail sign at the junction.
The trail repeatedly bows into the hillside to cross creek beds.
We passed three pointers for Newton Road and then crossed Newton Road along this section of the Wildwood Trail. We would be using Newton Road to make another small loop on our way back.
The Wildwood Trail crossing Newton Road.
Not all of the junctions have maps, but most of the major ones do to help keep hikers and runners on track (or to give them more ideas).
Climbing up to the BPA Road crossing.
The BPA Road heading uphill with the Wildwood Trail we’d just come up to the right.
Firelane 12 on the left.
The middle of three plaques commemorating the 1999 acquisition of 73-acres that was in danger of being developed.
Once again varied thrush 1 – Deryl 0. If I was keeping score, it would probably be something like 179-10.
Firelane 15 on the left ahead.
The small creek along Firelane 15.
Blue sky and powerlines above Firelane 15.
Wildwood Trail crossing Firelane 15.
The fanciest bridge we crossed all day.
Why is the trail way down there when the road is up above on the far hillside?
Woolly bear
Climbing to Newberry Road just to say we made it to the end of the Wildwood Trail.
Newberry Road Trailhead.
Another sub-par bird photo, but it took us quite a while just to spot this woodpecker who was way up in the treetops (and mostly in the shade).
Crossing Firelane 15.
Another blurry bird. This one a wren, one of many we heard but the only one we were able to spot.
Uprooted trees along the Wildwood Trail.
Newton Road to the right of the Wildwood Trail.
Mile marker along Newton Road.
Douglas squirrel
One of several small habitat restoration study areas along Newton Road.
The Newton Road Trailhead in the distance.
One of only two benches we saw all day.
Cars parked along Germantown Road in the distance.
Just before the bridge over Shot Pouch Creek is a spur trail for water which is reportedly scarce along the entire 60-mile route.
A swollen Shot Pouch Creek.
Following the trail/road up to the 4-way.
This was one of a handful of similar structures in the area. So far we haven’t found any information on their history.
Nearing “The 4-way”. Just ahead is where the Subaru bottomed out slightly.
The 4-way
Trail marker with the kiosk and part of the gate in the distance.
Cloudy and wet morning as expected.
The rocks on the first stretch were not a pleasant surface to walk on but it wasn’t too long before we left the rocks behind.
Small cascade along a side creek.
The first of the newts we spotted. They blend well with the leaves so we tried to really keep our eyes open to avoid accidently stepping on any. Over the course of the hike we saw several dozen and who knows how many we didn’t see.
C2C Trail marker along the left-hand (downhill) fork.
This was the only significant blowdown we encountered on the hike and the tree here was a fairly easy duck under.
The Sugar Bowl Creek Trail segment leaving the old road. This was the only portion that was true singletrack along the Sugar Bowl segment. Here the trail passes through a portion of the Siuslaw National Forest.
The Sugar Bowl Creek Trail switchbacked downhill to the East before turning back to the SW in the Sugar Bowl.
The trail eventually rejoined the old roadbed.
Actual blue sky.
Arriving at Mary’s Peak Road.
Signage along Mary’s Peak Road for the C2C.
This particular newt was not about to move out of Heather’s way.
A side creek flowing toward Sugar Bowl Creek.
Sugar Bowl Creek was never visible from the C2C but it was out there somewhere.
The Harlan Road Gate and kiosk.
Coral fungus
Unnamed creek
Back on the rocky roadbed below the 4-way.
Back at the gate and kiosk.
The playground behind and to the right of the signboard at the Visitors Center.
The red trail continuing on the far end of the playground.
Mt. St. Helens from the playground.
On the red trail.
The Mount Tabor stairs extend from the park border up to the summit.
Summit restrooms
The restrooms were reopened in 2017 after being renovated.
Mount Tabor summit
Mt. Hood from the summit.
Downtown Portland
Mallards
We forked right at this junction sticking to the green pointers.
Arriving at The Crater.
Coming around The Crater near the Visitors Center.
Mount Talbert from the path.
Mount Scott Creek
The Park Loop Trail junction just uphill.
Note that the map at the Park Loop/Sunnyside Road Trail junction mis-identifies the location with the “You Are Here” star located at the Park Loop/Summit Ridge junction.
Arriving at the West Ridge Trail junction.
Rejoining the Park Loop Trail.
Mt. Adams was visible through the web of small branches.
A snowy Mt. Adams.
Back at the Sunnyside Road Trail.
The benches throughout the park contained various nature sculptures, this one is “Moss Group”.
On the Boomer Trail.
The Boomer Trail turned left at the bottom of these stone steps.
Another Metro trail map and pointers.
The Boomer Trail, named for Mountain Beavers which are sometimes called boomers, crossed the entrance road before climbing back up to the parking area.
This was an impressive root system.
A less obstructed view of Mt. Adams. (Mt. St. Helens was also briefly visible from this section of trail.)
Slightly clearer shot of Mt. Adams.
Back at the trailhead.
Mt. St. Helens from the service road. Mt. Hood was also visible to the right through some fences around the ball fields.
The large area to the right didn’t offer much of a view of the falls, but the view from the bridge was great.
The highway from the parking lot.
The D River from the highway bridge. The river flows between Devil’s Lake and the Pacific Ocean and at high tide has a length of approximately 40 yards.
Hostetler Park.
Several interpretive signs were located along the boardwalk.
One of the interpretive signs.
Nearing the campground.
Orange cones, and a cat, at the far end of the path.
Program area in the campground.
View North from the beach.
Cascade Head (
Seagulls at the mouth of the D River.
There were of course plenty of seagulls present.
There weren’t very many ocean rocks along this stretch of beach.
Surf scooters
Loon, probably a common loon.
Baldy Creek
The inn on the left with the rocks extending into the Pacific.
Cormorants and seagulls
This was a big tree that we were able to walk under.
Salishan Spit across the Siletz.
Asters on the beach.
Pelicans on the left and seals on the right at the end of Salishan Spit.
Pelicans and seagull
Pelican mouths are a sight to behold (righthand side).
Cascade Head and God’s Thumb both in the sunlight now.
The Story Circle
Trail Challenge sign #8.
The trail ends at SE 3rd St (no parking available).
While there are more trails to choose from here the total milage is just about 1.25 miles. We opted to loop around the outside with detours to the Salt Marsh Overlook and Pond’s Edge.
To the left is the very short spur to the Salt Marsh Overlook which was too overgrown to really see anything.
Interpretive sign at the overlook.
A noisy little hummer near the overlook.
There was pretty good signage at the main trail junctions.
Boardwalks helped cross the wet areas.
Pond’s Edge spur trail.
At the edge of the pond.
We hadn’t expected to see any blooming rhododendrons.
Arriving at the signboards at the start of the loop.
Fall Creek Falls
Yasko Falls
Lower Table Rock
View from Upper Table Rock
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