Tag: Oregon

Racket Ridge-Roemer’s Meadow Loop (Silver Falls S.P.) – 11/11/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date November 13, 2025
No Comments on Racket Ridge-Roemer’s Meadow Loop (Silver Falls S.P.) – 11/11/2025

After missing out on some nice weather due to an illness more good weather on Veterans Day offered me an opportunity to hit the trails. Heather unfortunately didn’t get this holiday off, so it was another solo outing for me.

I decided to head back to Silver Falls State Park and check out three more of the backcountry trails that I had yet to hike. These were the Racket Ridge, Racket Ridge Connector, and Roemer’s Meadow trails. I had two options for trailheads, Howard Creek or North Falls. The Howard Creek Trailhead provided the shortest access to these three trails, but I would need to use a horse ford to cross the South Fork Silver Creek to do so. Starting at the North Falls Trailhead eliminated the need to ford any creeks, but it would add 2.4-miles to my planned route as I would need to use a 1.2-mile section of the Perimeter Trail to reach the Roemer’s Meadow Trail.

I chose the longer, drier, route and parked at the North Falls Trailhead.

I crossed the North Fork Silver Creek using the footbridge near the signboard then turned left passing under Highway 214 to reach a junction with the Perimeter Trail.

I hiked the Perimeter Trail back in 2022 and had passed the upper terminus of both the Roemer’s Meadow and Racket Ridge Trails on that big loop. From the junction it was a 1.1-mile climb to the Roemer’s Meadow Trail and another 1.9 to the Racket Ridge Trail. My plan was to go all the way to the Racket Ridge Trail and follow it downhill to its junction with the Roemer’s Meadow Trail. Before taking the Roemer’s Meadow Trail back up to the Perimeter Trail, I would continue on the Racket Ridge Trail to the Racket Ridge Connector Trail and then follow that trail 0.6-miles to the Nature Trail then turn around.

The Perimeter Trail was in good shape and as is always the case the Silver Falls Backcountry was beautiful.

The Roemer’s Meadow Trail junction. The Perimeter Trail turns to the left here.

The Moon above the treetops.

No flowers this late in the year, but there were plenty of mushrooms.

Arriving at the junction with the Racket Ridge Trail.

Map at the Racket Ridge junction.

I turned right onto the Racket Ridge Trail and followed it downhill 2.2-miles to the Roemer’s Meadow Trail.

A few of the deciduous trees still had their leaves.

Ruffed grouse

Coral fungus

The trail briefly followed this road.

The junction with the Roemer’s Meadow Trail which is to the right.

South Fork Silver Creek next to the Racket Ridge Trail.

Shortly before I reached the Racket Ridge Connector Trail, I ran into a doe coming up the trail toward me.

This was clearly the doe’s trail. She was not in the least concerned by my presence and she nibbled on leaves as she continued toward me. In an attempt to stick to Leave No Trace Principles I backed up a little and she just kept coming. Luckily the road that I had crossed was still nearby so in the end I cut up through some brush and stood on the road as she passed by on the trail.

Back on the trail I quickly came to the ford which was at the junction with the Racket Ridge Connector Trail.

I followed the Racket Ridge Connector to the South Falls Campground and its junction with the Nature Trail.

Another road crossing.

The trail followed along the road to cross the South Fork Silver Creek.

Trail pointer at the junction.

I had been at this junction three previous times, most recently in October during my Howard Creek Loop hike (post) making it a good spot to turn around.

I returned to the Roemer’s Meadow/Racket Ridge Trail junction and turned onto the Roemer’s Meadow Trail which immediately crossed a road.

Roemer’s Meadow Trail straight ahead.

After a brief climb the trail arrived at Roemer’s Meadow which it skirted before reentering the forest.

This was another nice trail with a couple of steeper sections which utilized switchbacks to climb those portions.

The trail made several access road crossings.

Arriving back at the Perimeter Trail.

I turned left onto the Perimeter Trail and followed it back down to the junction near Highway 214.

Since it was still before 11am when I arrived back at the junction I decided to visit Upper North Falls and turned right. It was 0.3-miles to the falls.

Upper North Falls

After visiting the falls I headed back toward the trailhead, but it was still before 11am when I was passing by so I decided I should visit North Falls as well. I passed the footbridge and headed for the junction of the Rim and Canyon Trails. On my way to that junction I decided why not just do the three-mile loop using the Rim, Winter Falls, and Canyon Trails. I took the Rim Trail just over a mile to the Winter Falls Trailhead.

Pointer at the Winter Falls Trailhead.

I took the Winter Falls Trail down to Winter Falls which was flowing nicely.

These falls all but dry up during the summer months.

I followed the Winter Falls Trail across the North Fork Silver Creek then turned right on the Canyon Trail.

It was 0.3-miles to Twin Falls then a little over a mile back to the trailhead.

Twin Falls

North Falls

From behind North Falls.

Cars parked at the trailhead ahead on the left.

This wound up being a 14-mile hike with approximately 2000′ of elevation gain. Had I skipped the waterfalls it would have been closer to 10.5-miles with a little over 1600′ of elevation gain.

During my time in the backcountry I only saw two mountain bikers. (Twice since they were riding the Racket Ridge/Roemer’s Meadow Loop in the opposite direction I was hiking.) There were quite a few more people on the waterfall trails but it didn’t feel too crowded. Now that I’ve added the Racket Ridge, Racket Ridge Connector, and Roemer’s Meadow trails to those that I’ve hiked in the park the only trails that I haven’t hiked is the downhill only upper section of the Catamount Trail, half of the Newt Loop, and parts of the paved Bike Path. Given the park is only 45-minutes from Salem I’m sure I’ll have the opportunity to check those sections of trail off at some point down the road. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Racket Ridge/Roemer’s Meadow Loop

Tags Canyon Trail, hiking, North Falls, North Fork Silver Creek, Oregon, Perimeter Trail, Racket Ridge Connector, Racket Ridge Trail, Rim Trail, Roemer's Meadow, Roemer's Meadow Trail, Salem, Silver Falls State Park, South Fork Silver Creek, Twin Falls, Upper North Falls, Winter Falls, Winter Falls Trail

Hiking Oregon Salem/Albany Trip report Willamette Valley

Willamette Mission S.P. Equestrian Trails – 11/02/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date November 4, 2025
No Comments on Willamette Mission S.P. Equestrian Trails – 11/02/2025

A storm system moved through Oregon a week ago followed by a few nice days and then another round of rain on Saturday. This was a much weaker system, and it had moved on by Sunday morning. I had few free hours at the beginning of the morning which was boosted by falling back an hour for Daylight Savings. Heather was walking with her friend Elizabeth so I would be on my own. I decided to head back to Willamette Mission State Park for the second time this year (9/1/25) and check out some of the equestrian trails.

With Daylight Savings moving Sunrise back up to 6:52am I was able to make the 25-minute drive and be there when it opened at 7am. I parked at the equestrian trailhead.

While there was no rain in the forecast patchy fog was, but it was supposed to burn off around 9am. I picked up the dirt equestrian trail from the trailhead and followed it across the paved bike path.

The route I’d planned would be a little over six miles with less than a half mile of that being on sections of trail that we’d hiked before. I followed the equestrian trail for a half mile before arriving at a signed junction.

It won’t be long and some of the trail in the park will be closed due to seasonal flooding.

Right after I took this picture a deer dashed out of the brush on the left, ran across the trail and vanished before I could take another photo.

I went left at this junction which was labeled “H North Loop Start” on the signboard map.

This 0.4-mile section of trail wound through the woods before arriving at a 4-way junction.

I turned right onto the paved path at this junction and followed it for a tenth of a mile to a 3-way junction.

I turned left at the 3-way junction and continued on the paved bike path for 0.6-miles. There was some blue-sky on my right and fog to my left.

American kestrel in the fog.

I left the paved path here and veered right to rejoin the equestrian trails and stayed right at the junction for just under a quarter mile to a junction with the South Hill Trail.

This section of trail crosses this high-water channel coming off of Windsor Island Slough meaning the south loops are sometimes cut off from the rest of the park.

The path passes close to the slough, but it was hard to see with the dense fog. There was a great blue heron on the far side, but the fog made it virtually impossible to photograph.

The South Hill Trail to the left.

I stayed straight saving the South Hill Trail for my loop back and continued another 0.4-miles to another junction.

I turned right at this junction in order to make the widest loop possible. The trail passed through an open bottomland then curved left at a pointer to pass through a short section of forest before making a brief climb to the edge of a filbert grove.

Northern flicker

The trail turned right here following a roadbed around the filbert trees.

This post is “L” on the park map.

A coyote trotted across the road in front of me but disappeared in the trees before I got the camera up.

At the far end of the trees was the “M” signpost.

I turned left continuing around the filberts until I came to post “N”.

Quail

At “N” the trail made a ninety-degree turn to the right along a barren field.

Looking back at the “N” post.

This was the least obvious section of trail over the whole hike.

The “patchy” fog was not letting up.

A covey of quail.

After passing post “O” the trail curved along Goose Lake which I detoured down to when the opportunity presented itself.

Goose Lake

There were a lot of birds around the lake including a couple of ducks, but with all the fog it was hard to get any photos.

Stellar’s jay

After checking out the lake I continued around the field until reaching post “P” at a junction.

Doves

I turned right at post “P” which put me on the South Hill Trail which led through the woods for almost a mile to complete the loop.

Squirrel

This little buck was slowly walking up the trail in front of me for a while before deciding to duck into the brush.

These were some cool mushrooms.

Completing the loop.

I turned right and recrossed the high-water channel then veered right on a narrow path that led me back to the paved bike path.

Starlings

I turned right on the bike path for a few steps then veered left onto the continuation of the equestrian trail.

I followed this section of the equestrian trail for 0.6-miles to the 4-way junction where I’d turned right onto the paved path earlier in the morning.

American kestrel

I turned right onto the paved path and followed it three-quarters of a mile back to the equestrian trailhead.

Self-heal

Two tenths of a mile after turning right I passed a junction with the bike path I had just crossed a little earlier.

The fence along the parking area just ahead.

My hike came in at 6.3-miles with minimal elevation gain.

The dotted line is today’s track. Dark blue is our 2019 track and the track to the left is from our Spring Valley Greenway hike in 2022.

This was a nice little outing despite the fog and some muddy tread. Hopefully it will be a little clearer next time I visit but I did get to see quite a bit of wildlife so I can’t complain. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Willamette Mission Equestrian Trails

Tags Equestrian Trailhead, Goose Lake, hiking, Oregon, South Hill Trail, Willamette mission State Park, Willamette Valley, Windsor Island Slough

High Cascades Hiking Mt. Jefferson Area Oregon Trip report

Maxwell Butte & Lava Lakes Trails – 10/18/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date October 20, 2025
No Comments on Maxwell Butte & Lava Lakes Trails – 10/18/2025

I had been looking for a good time to check out the Lava Lakes Trail since my hike to Duffy Lake in September (post). That opportunity presented itself when Heather decided she wasn’t quite feeling up to an outing. A quick check of the forecast showed mostly sunny skies with temperatures close to freezing in the morning and gradually increasing to the mid 50s.

My plan was to take the Maxwell Butte Trail to the Lava Lakes Trail then follow that trail to the Duffy Lake Trail and visit Duffy Lake for the second time this year. If I felt up to it on the way back, I would detour up Maxwell Butte before returning to the car.

We have hiked up Maxwell Butte twice in the past (2015) & (2019) and both times had parked near the restrooms at the Maxwell Butte Sno-Park. With the current government shutdown I wouldn’t be utilizing those facilities so this time I drove the extra 0.5-miles to the Maxwell Butte Trailhead.

This is one of the trailheads that requires a Central Cascades Wilderness Day Use Permit however they are only required between June 15th and October 15th meaning shutdown or not I didn’t need one today.

It was 2.2-miles of gradual climbing from the trailhead to the junction with the Lava Lakes Trail.

There are a couple of signed junctions with Nordic Trails in the first 1.2-miles before the trail enters the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.

The first junction was at the half mile mark. The nordic trail is the one to the right.

The Maxwell Butte Trail also has nordic markers.

At the 1.2-mile mark a nordic trail crosses the Maxwell Butte Trail. This trail is part of a 7.3-mile loop that passes two snow shelters.

The Cascades got their first significant snow the previous weekend and I started seeing some small remaining patches around 4800′ in elevation.

Frosty leaves

This hawk seemed a little irritated with my presence.

Signpost at the Lava Lakes/Maxwell Butte Trail junction.

I stayed left at the junction on what was now the Lava Lakes Trail. I took a brief detour to see Twin Lakes near the junction before continuing on.

The Lava Lakes Trail extends 2.8-miles between the Maxwell Butte and Duffy Lake Trail. The trail was in good shape and relatively level all things considered.

A little under a half mile from the junction the trail passed near Train Lake which wasn’t really visible from the trail, but a very short use trail brought me to a campsite on the rocks above the lake.

The top of Maxwell Butte was visible over the trees on the far side of Train Lake.

Train Lake

I started encountering more snow beyond Train Lake, but it was only about an inch or two deep at most.

Both trails had a few small logs down that were easily stepped over or around.

A kitty had used the trail at some point.

Just under 2-miles from the junction the trail passed a small pond/lake at the base of a talus slope.

While I was checking out the body of water I was also keeping an eye out for pikas which eventually paid off.

After passing the pond the trail began to descend toward the Duffy Lake Trail.

Coral fungus

As I neared the Duffy Lake Trail I came to what appeared to be an old junction.

Note the pieces of trail sign on the tree.

There had not been any other trail junctions on any of the maps I had looked at during my planning, and there was clear tread straight ahead, so I continued straight here. Had I stopped to check the GPS I would have seen that the trail as shown on the map made a hard left here and I would have reached the Duffy Lake Trail in 100 yards. Instead I wound up in some meadows along channels of the North Santiam River.

Duffy Butte rising above the trees.

I spotted a blaze in a tree next to some trail tread so I headed in that direction.

That led me to another meadow where I completely lost any sign of trail. I finally checked my GPS and realized what had happened. I had gone two tenths of a mile toward Duffy Lake through Duffy Prairie and was now only about 100′ from the Duffy Lake Trail, so I simply crossed the dry riverbed and popped onto the trail and headed right.

Duffy Lake Trail

Less than a tenth of a mile later I was at the junction with the Duffy, Blue, and Santiam Lakes Trails.

At the junction I turned left toward Duffy Lake to the day use area I’d stopped at in September.

Duffy Butte

Duffy Lake

After a brief stay at Duffy Lake I headed back along the Duffy Lake Trail. It was 0.3-miles to the actual junction with the Lava Lakes Trail.

I turned left at the junction, crossed the North Santiam River (bed), and came to the junction where I’d gone straight earlier.

The riverbed was still dry despite the recent rain and snow.

Approaching the junction. I could see why I had missed the tread; there were a couple of downed trees laying along it and blocking the view coming from the direction that I had.

I turned right and made the 2.8-mile hike back to the Maxwell Butte Trail junction. I scanned for pikas as I passed the talus slope and stopped again briefly at Train Lake, but it was a pretty uneventful return. The forest was beautiful, one of the few trails left in the wilderness that doesn’t pass through any recent fire scars. (The Cal Topo fire history layer shows no fires on the 1900-present layer.)

There were a few snags around the talus slope but also many tall green trees.

With the Sun higher up Train Lake was a greener color now.

Back at the Maxwell Butte Trail junction just after 10:30am.

It was such a gorgeous day that I couldn’t skip a side trip up Maxwell Butte so I turned left at the junction and passed Twin Lakes on the other side.

It isn’t easy to make out in the photo but the snowy top of Mt. Jefferson was visible in the distance over Twin Lakes.

While there had been snow on the Lava Lakes Trail there were more clear sections than snowy. That wasn’t the case with the Maxwell Butte Trail beyond Twin Lakes. It still wasn’t deep but it made the going a little slower.

Deer print

As the trail neared Maxwell Butte the forest thinned out which also lessened the amount of snow covering it.

With less trees and more elevation I began getting views to the south of several Cascade peaks.

Mt. Washington partially behind the tree on the left. Broken Top is visible between the flank of Mt. Washington and the North Sister. Middle and South Sister are to the right.

Maxwell Butte looming above the trail.

Flat topped Hayrick Butte and Hoodoo Butte in front of the above-mentioned peaks. To the right of the Three Sisters is The Husband (with snow). To the right of that in the distance is Substitute Point (post) and Proxy Point. The hump with a little snow on it closer to the right is Scott Mountain (post).

Diamond Peak (post) in the distance behind Sand Mountain and the Sand Mountain Lookout (post).

The trail eventually begins a series of switchbacks to reach the former lookout site atop Maxwell Butte.

A better look at Tam McArthur Rim (post) and Broken Top behind Mt. Washington.

Black Butte (post) to the east.

Zoomed in on Black Butte.

There wasn’t a lot of snow along the switchbacks but there were a few drifts like this. I had my micro-spikes with me just in case, but someone had already been through to create steps, so I never actually felt the need to put them on.

Snow in the crater on Maxwell Butte.

Almost to the summit.

Mt. Jefferson from the former lookout site.

It was about 20-minutes before Noon when I reached the summit which was almost 2 hours later than it had been on our last visit. I was hoping that the later arrival would improve the view by allowing the Sun to be more directly overhead and that was indeed the case. (Our first visit doesn’t count because we were socked in by clouds that day.)

With the recent snow it was a lot easier to make out Mt. Hood to the left of Mt. Jefferson.

Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson

Three Fingered Jack and Black Butte

Mt. Hood with Bear Point (post) and Dinah-Mo Peak along the ridge in front.

Mt. Jefferson

Three Fingered Jack

The view south.

Black Crater (post) to the left of Broken Top, Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters.

I took a break on a rock outcrop overlooking the wilderness and looked for the various lakes we’ve visited over time.

Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and Three Fingered Jack along with several lakes in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.

Santiam Lake (post)

Upper (closer) and Lower Berley Lakes (post)

I could just see a little of Craig Lake (post) ontop of this plateau.

Mowich Lake and Red Butte.

After having a snack and resting my feet I tagged the actual summit and then headed back down.

The summit view.

Heading down.

The clouds were showing their hand that a change in the weather was coming. Another wet system would be moving in overnight.

I ran into the first other hikers, a couple and a dog, that I’d seen all day while I was taking a picture of some ferns that had turned color.

Passing Twin Lakes again.

Huckleberry bushes along the Maxwell Butte Trail.

Vine maple leaves turning color.

A varied thrush. For those of you who regularly read our trip reports you know this is my nemesis as far as photos go. For me this is a pretty good one as I can tell what kind of a bird I was trying to photograph.

Back at the trailhead.

I saw one other hiker, and her dog, after the couple and that was it. There had been people camped at Duffy Lake, but I only heard them and saw the tents in the distance. I had expected to at least see a hunter or two given it was rifle season for deer, but I’m not complaining. I was anticipating 15.6-miles and my GPS showed 15.7 which made sense given the handful of detours to get a view of the lakes. Total elevation gain was approximately 3100′.

This was a really enjoyable hike. The forest was great, and the handful of lakes and ponds provided some additional attractions. The view from Maxwell Butte was excellent as well and I did not regret adding the extra distance and elevation to my day. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Lava Lakes Trail

Tags Duffy Lake, Duffy Lake Trail, Duffy Prairie, hiking, Lava Lakes Trail, maxwell butte, maxwell butte sno-park, Maxwell Butte Trail, Maxwell Butte Trailhead, Oregon, Train Lake, Twin Lakes

Hiking Northern Coast Oregon Oregon Coast Trip report

Elk Run Trail and Manhattan Beach – 10/11/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date October 13, 2025
No Comments on Elk Run Trail and Manhattan Beach – 10/11/2025

A wet system moved in toward the end of the week and prompted us to look for a good rainy-day hike. After coming up with a few possibilities along the Pacific coastline I checked several local forecasts and landed on Manhattan Beach. With that hike being roughly 7.5-miles, I looked for another nearby trail on the Oregon Hikers Field Guide which led me to the Elk Run Trail near Nehalem, OR.

We started the morning with the Elk Run hike since it was the shorter of the two at 3.6ish miles, and it was just a few miles further away than Manhattan Beach. We parked at the Alder Creek Trailhead per the entry in the Oregon Hikers Field Guide.

We parked along the shoulder across from the gate which is not to be blocked at any time.

Beyond the gate the Alder Creek Trail follows an old roadbed on a levee 0.4-miles to a footbridge over Alder Creek.

Neahkahnie Mountain (post) to the left and Rock Mountain to the right.

Looking back along the footbridge.

On the far side of the footbridge was a junction with the Elk Run Trail.

We stayed straight at the junction continuing along the old roadbed.

There was a meadow to the right of the trail where we spotted a small herd of elk.

A third of a mile from the footbridge the trail arrived at a gravel road which it followed for about 50 yards before continuing on a grassy track to the right.

The small building at the end of the gravel road was some sort of wastewater

The continuation of the trail was unsigned but obvious as it cut through a wall of blackberry bushes.

A tenth of a mile from the gravel road the trail split at another unsigned junction. This was the other end of the trail that had split off after crossing Alder Creek.

The tenth of a mile stretch passed behind some new construction.

We would be using that trail for our return but for now we stayed straight crossing the end of a paved road after another 0.3-miles and arriving at yet another junction a tenth of a mile later.

Looking up the paved road.

There was actually a pickup parked at this junction when we first passed, but it was gone by the time we came back by. The righthand fork makes a second loop possible, but this one can be submerged during higher tides.

We again stayed straight and in another three tenths of a mile we came to the other end of the loop at a “T” junction near the bank of the Nehalem River.

The other end of the second loop.

Nehalem River

Hooded merganser

We turned left and continued another two tenths of a mile around Dean Point to the trails end at a rocky river beach.

Highway 101 across the Nehalem River.

Cormorant

Nehalem River

After taking in the view from the end of the trail we returned to the “T”-junction. We hadn’t originally planned on doing the second loop because we hadn’t checked the tide tables and with the recent rain we weren’t sure how muddy/wet it might be. After seeing that it clearly wasn’t high tide I decided to give it a try. Heather decided to take the conservative approach and return the way we’d come so we split up here and planned to meet back up at the other end of the little loop.

This section of the loop was 0.4-miles long and was quite a bit rougher than the main trail, but it wasn’t too wet and there were only a couple of small muddy sections where the trail briefly dropped off the narrow dike it was following.

The trail briefly followed the river before making a right turn away from it.

Rainbow to the north.

Planks were placed at various points along the trail. They helped avoid muddy spots, but I had to be careful because some of them were really slick.

Looking toward Nehalem Bay (post).

Heading north after turning away from the river.

Sparrow

Yarrow

When the trail turned again to complete the loop it crossed a relatively deep (3-4 feet) channel on a narrow plank.

Not long after reentering the trees seen ahead I ran into Heather who had come down from the junction which was just a short distance away.

We continued on our way back and when we arrived at the unsigned junction for the first loop we turned left. This was another 0.4-mile section which passed the same meadow we’d seen the elk in earlier from the Alder Creek Trail. They hadn’t moved on so we got to see them for a second time.

On the first loop.

Salal lining the trail.

We snacked on a few evergreen huckleberries while we watched the elk.

Bench overlooking the meadow. There were two similar benches along the other loop.

Alder Creek heading out to Nehalem Bay.

Arriving back at the footbridge.

We recrossed Alder Creek and returned to our car. Both our GPS Units showed 3.5-miles for our hikes so doing or not doing the loops didn’t make a difference distance wise. Elevation change was easily under 50′.

It was about a 15-minute drive to the Manhattan Beach Wayside where we parked near the restrooms which is also where an Oregon Coast Trail pointer was located.

Oregon Coast Trail pointer.

A short trail led through a strip of trees and over the foredune to Manhattan Beach.

We had a choice of going north or south and planned on doing both before returning to the car. To the north was the mouth of the Nehalem River at Nehalem Bay and to the south was Rockaway Beach where we had started our Twin Rocks hike just five weeks before (post).

To the north we could see Cape Falcon (post) beyond the south river jetty.

To the south Twin Rocks was visible off the coastline.

We decided to head south first with our plan being to turn around at the creek just north of the Rockaway Beach Park where we had parked in September. While we had avoided rain during our first hike the rain arrived shortly after we set off along the beach. In typical fashion the wind was blowing south to north, so we were heading into it which prompted us to throw on our rain gear. It also kept me from trying to take too many photos during the nearly 2-mile hike to the creek.

Gulls

Brown pelicans

Rockaway Beach

Rain incoming.

Twin Rocks

Our turnaround point through the water on the camera lens.

After turning around and putting the wind at our backs it didn’t feel like it was raining as hard and I tried a few more photos as we headed for the jetty which was just under 3-miles from the creek.

Mine! (If you know you know.)

Some heavy rain off the coast heading north.

Homes along Manhattan Beach.

The south jetty.

We climbed onto the jetty to get a look at the Nehalem River.

Looking toward Nehalem Bay.

The Oregon Hiker Field Guide entry for Manhattan Beach mentioned hiking inland along the jetty to McMillan Creek. Despite the rainy conditions I decided to go ahead and do that while Heather opted to skip this portion of the quest. Instead of trying to walk directly along the jetty I headed back north to a path near beach mile marker 24 and followed it inland.

The neon sign marking mile 24.

I then picked up one of a number of use paths leading through the grassy spit and veered back toward the jetty.

I was able to find one that led back up to the top of the jetty and then followed the jetty to McMillan Creek.

The jetty was rough with a few sinkholes.

My turn around point, where McMillan Creek passes under the remains of the jetty.

McMillan Creek from my turnaround point.

The rain had let up during my hike down the jetty to the creek, but as I started back the rain picked up noticeably. I cut back across the grassy spit area to mile marker 24 and then hopped back onto the beach. From there it was a mile back to the trail up to the Manhattan Beach Wayside.

I got another brief respite from the rain once I was back on the beach.

Those dark clouds were angry and wet.

Mile marker 25 is up on the foredune to the right which is also where the trail was back to the wayside.

Heather was sitting on a bench on the foredune when I got back and we finished the hike together.

Our car in the wayside parking lot from the trees.

The GPS put my hike at 7.5-miles with minimal elevation gain.

As we were trying to change out of our wet clothes the sky really opened up and it poured. These wound up being great choices for a rainy day. We were especially pleased with the Elk Run hike. It was a relatively quiet hike given how close we were to homes and the highway and it had some really nice views. Seeing the elk also gave it a boost. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Elk Run Trail and Manhattan Beach

Tags Alder Creek Trailhead, Dean Point, elk, Elk Run Trail. Alder Creek Trail, hiking, Manhattan Beach, McMillan Creek, Nehalem Bay, Nehalem River, Oregon, Rockaway Beach, Twin Rocks

High Cascades Hiking Mt. Jefferson Area Oakridge Area Old Cascades Oregon Trip report

Head of Jack Creek (10/4/2025) & McCredie Hot Springs (10/5/2025)

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date October 6, 2025
No Comments on Head of Jack Creek (10/4/2025) & McCredie Hot Springs (10/5/2025)

Hiking took a backseat this past weekend as we headed to Bend for a joint birthday celebration for our son and Heather’s father. Both have October birthdays with a 50-year gap in between, and this year was 30 & 80 respectively. Despite those ages not seeming possible (or believable) celebrate we did.

On our way from Salem over to Bend we made a stop at Jack Creek Campground for a short leg stretching hike to the Head of Jack Creek.

From the end of the campground a wide, nearly level, 0.4-mile trail parallels Jack Creek leading to several springs.

Chipmunk

Jack Creek stays within earshot of the trail but glimpses of it are rare until near the springs.

The trail passes along the eastern end of the 2003 B & B Fire scar.

Larch tree starting to don its fall color.

Near the three-quarter mile mark we passed a bench at a junction with a spur arriving from the right. There is another possible trailhead, but there is little information on its exact location or on the condition of the access road.

Sign for the Head of Jack Creek at the end of the trail.

Head of Jack Creek

After seeing the springs we returned the way we’d come and finished our drive to Bend. We spent just over an hour on the 2.6-mile hike so there was plenty of day left to visit and celebrate with Heather’s family.

Heather had picked our son up in Eugene on Friday and we’d celebrated his birthday with my parents that night. Since we needed to drop him off back in Eugene before we headed back to Salem we took Highway 58 over Willamette Pass. I had been looking for a similar leg stretcher along this drive and decided to finally check out McCredie Hot Springs and make it a theme weekend. There is a day use area along Highway 58 just over 8-miles east of Oakridge with very short path leading to pools on the north bank of Salt Creek. A longer trail beginning at a pullout along gravel forest road 5875 leads to some pools on the south bank of the creek. This “longer” trail is just 0.4-miles making it another short hike.

Sign above the pullout.

One of two access points to the trail from the pullout.

The trail had a couple of downed trees along with some roots and rocks along with a little under 100′ of elevation change.

Salt Creek

These mushrooms were a color that we couldn’t recall seeing before.

McCredie Hot Springs. Please be aware that nudity is allowed at most hot springs in Oregon and McCredie is no exception. There were a couple of people in the hot springs on the north bank so there are no pictures of that side.

This was the largest pool. We wouldn’t call it hot but it was nice and warm.

This smaller pool was a little warmer.

Reflection in the hot springs.

After inspecting the pools we returned to the car and drove on to Eugene and then headed home. This stop was under a mile with around 75′ of cumulative elevation gain.

Both of these stops were nice breaks on the drives over the passes. It was fun to have them both involve springs but have them be such different types. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Head of Jack Creek & McCredie Hot Springs

Tags Head of Jack Creek, hiking, Jack Creek Campground, McCredie Hot Springs, Oregon, Salt Creek

High Cascades Hiking Oregon Trip report Waldo Lake Area

Charlton and Lily Lakes Loop – 09/27/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date September 30, 2025
No Comments on Charlton and Lily Lakes Loop – 09/27/2025

Another warm, sunny forecast coincided with our hiking schedule leaving multiple destinations possible. (My original schedule for the year has been largely replaced by groups of ideas depending on the weather or fire situation.) After considering several different hikes we decided to try out a loop around Charlton and Lily Lakes in the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests.

We parked at what Google labels as the Pct Trailhead located a quarter mile up Forest Road 4290 off Forest Road 5897 aka Waldo Lake Road.

The first part of the loop we were planning passes through the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire scar. One of the trails, the Lily Lake Trail, was severely impacted by both that fire and the 1996 Charlton Fire and no longer shows up on the Forest Service website or updated maps such as CalTopo. Our paper, GPS, and the PCTA online map National Forest System Trails layer all showed the trail alignment, so we hoped that we would be able to use our navigational skills on that section.

Before starting the loop we headed down to Charlton Lake for a first look.

Canada jay

The trail to Charlton Lake from the trailhead crosses the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) after just 250′ then continues to the lake for a total of just a tenth of a mile.

Charlton Lake

Geradine Butte to the left and The Twins (post) to the right.

After visiting the lake we hiked back to the PCT and turned right (north) heading toward the Lily Lake Trail junction.

Fireweed

After 0.4-miles on the PCT the trail crossed FR 4290.

We took it as a good sign that the Lily Lake Trail was listed on the sign at least.

The PCT headed toward Charlton Butte which it would pass to the west. The Cedar Creek fire had burned over this entire section although a few trees were spared here and there.

Pond along the PCT.

Charlton Butte

Pearly everlasting

Trail signs at the Lily Lake Trail junction. From FR 4290 the sign said it was 1.5-miles, the GPS put it at 1.4.

It appeared this sign was set up after the 2022 fire so we took the inclusion of the Lily Lake Trail as another good sign.

We turned right onto the faint but discernable Lily Lake Trail and followed it up a small rise along the base of Charlton Butte gaining a view north of several Cascade Volcanos.

Irish Mountain is the forested peak to the left with Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, The Husband, the Three Sisters, Broken Top, Mt. Bachelor and finally Cultus Mountain.

Zoomed in you can see Three Fingered Jack in front of Mt. Jefferson. Little Roundtop Mountain is the peak between Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington.

The Three Sisters

Broken Top and Ball Butte

Mt. Bachelor (post) and Kwolh Butte

The flank of Charlton Butte.

The maps that contained the Lily Lake Trail showed it dropping into the basin below then swinging to the NE before arriving at Lily Lake. We quickly lost the tread at the lip of the basin and wound up using our GPS units to stick as close to the trail shown on those as we could.

We found no sign of the trail at all going down the burned hillside. The footing was pretty good, but we had to be careful of holes or areas where the ground was not stable.

As we got closer to the basin the severity of the burn was less which meant more obstacles to navigate.

We continued to use the GPS units as guides and eventually found what appeared to be the former trail tread.

What is left of the Lily Lake Trail coming through the basin.

The Lily Lake Trail heading toward the lake.

Charlton Butte from the trail.

Arriving at Lily Lake just under a mile from the junction with the PCT.

Unlike Charlton Lake where much of the forest around that lake had survived the Cedar Creek Fire, all of the forest surrounding Lily Lake was burned.

The good news was that the trail tread was much more obvious as it passed along the southern end of the lake for a quarter mile.

Mt. Bachelor and Cultus Mountain from the SE end of Lily Lake.

At the end of the lake the trail veered uphill to the SE climbing below a rock outcrop where we were sure there should be a pika or two.

For the next 0.6-miles the trail made a gentle descent through burned forest.

There was some flagging along this stretch of the trail, note the small blue flag ahead along the ground.

The flagging petered out shortly before we arrived at the Charlton Trail Junction.

Arriving at the Charlton Trail Junction.

The trail signs at the junction.

It was at this junction where things got “interesting”. Our GPS map, paper map, and the PCTA Map all showed the Lily Lake Trail arriving at a “4-way” junction.

All three maps showed this trail alignment.

Two things should have caused us to stop and do a little more analysis before continuing on. First there were only three obvious trails at the junction and second this junction was before the meadow shown on the map not near its far end. Instead of immediately picking up on those two discrepancies we took the lefthand fork which did not have a pointer on the trail signs. It was the straighter of the two choices and based on the “4-way” junction shown on the maps we wanted to go straight as the righthand fork would take us on a more direct 2.1-mile route back to Charlton Lake.

The righthand fork

The lefthand fork headed toward the meadow initially which made more sense based on the maps we were using at this point.

After just over 200′ on the lefthand fork we realized something was amiss as we were clearly veering N when we expected to be continuing SE. At that point the fact that it had been a three and not four-way junction suddenly seemed relevant. We returned to the junction and consulted the GPS and PCTA maps and came to our second incorrect conclusion. We assumed that the trail shown on the maps continuing straight through the junction had been lost/abandoned due to the fire and decided to bushwack along the right (south) side of the meadow while trying to stick to the track shown on the GPS as we had done descending to the Lily Lake basin.

The edge of the meadow was very wet, so we had to bow out to stay on dry ground.

Charlton Butte

According to the GPS we crossed over the old trail alignment several times, but we didn’t see anything that looked like tread

We didn’t even see anything when we passed over the spot where the GPS thought the “4-way” junction was supposed to have been. As far as cross-country hiking goes it wasn’t hard, but it was still more work than simply hiking on trail. After three quarters of a mile of bushwacking I was working us back uphill to our right to where the GPS showed the tread and lo and behold there was clear tread.

The Clover Meadow Trail passing through a cut log.

Back on trail!

Had I pulled up the CalTopo map back at the junction things would have made a lot more sense. (It also would have helped if I had realized that the trail we wanted was the Clover Meadow Trail.)

Our wrong turn and cross-country track as shown on the GPS unit.

Our track overlaid onto the CalTopo map. I hadn’t been referring to this map because the Lily Lake Trail wasn’t shown on it, but if we had looked at it at the three-way junction we would most likely have realized that we needed to go right a short distance to a fork and then go left.

It was a lot easier going now that we were on actual trail. This trail was in good shape and clearly used by mountain bikers. We followed the trail for another 1.8 gentle downhill miles to another three-way junction.

The Twins from the trail.

Woodpecker

The trail eventually left the fire scar for good.

Our dislike of mylar balloons grows every time we pack one out of the forest/wilderness. I spotted that unmistakable shiny material and had to detour over to pick it up.

As we continued east the forest changed to lodgepole pine.

The three-way junction ahead near Clover Meadow.

Aside from a Clover Meadow sign the only other signs at the junction were yield signs for users.

We were at the Metolius-Windigo Trail. This multi-use trail is over 100-miles long. The actual distance varies depending on which website you visit, some say it begins at the Head of the Metolius River (post) and ends at Windigo Pass (post), while others show it starting at the Bear Valley Trailhead NE of Three Fingered Jack. Regardless of the actual distance we were only concerned with the 3.5-mile stretch SSW from this junction. We turned right, and in three quarters of a mile recrossed FR 4290.

Charlton Butte

After crossing the road the trail began climbing at times as it needed to gain over 500′ of elevation before reaching the junction with the Charlton Trail.

Round Meadow

Stream flowing into Round Meadow.

The junction with the Charlton Trail.

Heather and I split up at this junction. I stayed on the Metolius-Windigo Trail for another 0.4-miles then took another 0.4-mile trail to Found Lake below Geradine Butte while Heather forked right onto the Charlton Trail and headed for the lake where she planned on taking a relaxing break while she waited for me.

Continuing on the Metolius-Windigo Trail.

Sign for the Found Lake Trail splitting off to the right.

The Twins from a meadow along the Found Lake Trail.

Geradine Butte from the meadow.

Geradine Butte

Found Lake

My second chance of the day to spot a pika was on the rocky hillside along Found Lake. Alas, I wasn’t lucky enough to spot one here either, but I did hear one.

After tagging the lake and unsuccessfully searching for pikas I headed back to the Charlton Lake Trail looking forward to what I was sure would be some downhill. The answer to whether this 1.9-mile stretch of the Charlton Trail was up or down is “yes”. There were several steep climbs broken up by some downhills and flat sections before steeply descending to the lake.

A flat stretch.

Going down

Charlton Lake through the trees.

At the lakeshore I headed left (clockwise) around the lake on the Charlton Trail. There were plenty of good views along the way.

Charlton Butte

Geradine Butte

Geradine Butte and The Twins.

California tortoiseshells doing what butterflies do.

Heather was in her camp chair reading a book when I met back up with her. After a quick break we hiked the final tenth of a mile back to the car so we could change our shoes and get cold drinks out of our cooler. With the detour to Found Lake my hike came in at 13.7-miles with roughly 1500′ of elevation gain.

Had we not gone down to the lake first and gone the wrong way at the confusing junction the loop sans Found Lake would have been a little under 12-miles with around 1400′ of elevation gain. This was a fun loop with nice lakes, a few good views, and some short challenging sections. Of course we’d made it harder on ourselves by needlessly bushwacking when we could have been on the Clover Meadow Trail. Due to the lack of trail between the PCT and Lily Lake you do really need map and navigational skills if you’re going to try it. Happy Trail!

Flickr: Charlton and Lily Lakes

Tags Charlton Butte, Charlton Lake, Charlton Trail, Clover Meadow Trail, Found Lake, Found Lake Trail, Geradine Butte, hiking, lily lake, Lily Lake Trail, Metolius-Windigo Trail, Oregon, Pacific Crest Trail, Round Meadow, The Twins

High Cascades Hiking Oregon Trip report Waldo Lake Area

Mount Ray / Island Lakes Loop – 09/18/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date September 23, 2025
No Comments on Mount Ray / Island Lakes Loop – 09/18/2025

After spending Wednesday in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness revisiting parts of a 2010 hike (post) I headed south to the Waldo Lake area to revisit our 2013 hike to Fuji Mountain (post). In order to not have this be an exact repeat of that hike I decided to add the Mount Ray – Island Lakes Loop which utilizes a 3.5-mile section of the Fuji Mountain Trail.

I had originally planned on starting at the Mount Ray Trailhead and hiking the loop counterclockwise with a possible detour to the summit of Fuji Mountain, but after studying the topographic map it made more sense to start at the Fuji Mountain Trailhead at Gold Lake where we had begun the 2013 hike. By starting here I could avoid ending the hike on the uphill from the Gold Lake Trail to the Mount Ray Trailhead.

Looking back at the Fuji Mountain Trail across Waldo Lake Road from the trailhead.

To find the Gold Lake Trail I walked toward the Fuji Mountain Trail looking for a path downhill on the left that would lead me to the Gold Lake Trail. There was a trail marked on the map right across from the Fuji Mountain Trail, but I knew if I couldn’t find that I could walk down Waldo Lake Road about 150 yards and take the path down that Heather and I had taken just last year on our Marilyn Lakes Loop hike (post).

As I walked back along the long trailhead parking area I spotted a small sign on a tree below and then noticed a faint patch heading down to it.

I’m not sure if these three rocks were meant to be a cairn or they just happened to be there, but this is where the path was. It slants down back to the left.

The trail sign I’d spotted from the road above. (I was once again starting before sunrise so there wasn’t much light available for photos for the first 20-30 minutes.)

The path led me to the obvious Gold Lake Trail where I turned left.

The Gold Lake Trail climbed very gradually along the hillside above Gold Lake and the Gold Lake Research Bog, both of which were mostly hidden by trees.

Old mushroom

This was one of the best views available through the forest.

Wet section near the bog.

Another old mushroom and a bead lily.

Coral fungus

Ray Creek

After following the Gold Lake Trail for 1.7-miles I arrived at a junction with the Mount Ray Trail.

Trail/Nordic signs at the junction with the Mount Ray Trail.

I turned left onto the Mount Ray Trail and was expected a decent climb for the 0.4-miles up to the Mount Ray Trailhead but was pleasantly surprised at how gradual it wound up being.

Mushrooms turned into the theme of the day as there were not only a lot of them, but some of them were huge.

The Mount Ray Trailhead is just up Waldo Lake Road from the trail itself. The person at the pickup was the only one I saw all day until I was back at the Fuji Mountain Trailhead.

I crossed the road and continued to follow the Mount Ray Trail as it gradually climbed through the forest.

Wilderness permit box. The box didn’t have any self-issue permits inside, but I wouldn’t be entering the Waldo Lake Wilderness on this loop, so I didn’t need one anyway.

Small meadow on the flank of Mount Ray.

Valerian

There was one short, steep section near the middle of the 2.2-miles from the road to the junction with the South Waldo Trail.

Squirrel on the log.

Aside from a lot of birds I didn’t see a lot of wildlife during the hike. A few chipmunks and squirrels were it although there was plenty of deer sign around.

The trails were by and large clear of any obstacles which isn’t surprising given they are open to mountain bikes. It seems like those open to bikes are well maintained, if they are regularly used by mountain bikers.

The trail entered Pothole Meadows near the source of Ray Creek.

The creek bed is to the left. It was basically dry at this point, but the meadow was damp.

Aster

Blue diamond marking the trail leaving the meadow.

The trail steepened a bit beyond the meadow as it made the final climb to the South Waldo Trail junction.

The 4-way junction with the South Waldo Trail.

Heather and I had been to this junction during our South Waldo Loop hike in 2015 (post).

I turned left at the junction on the South Waldo Trail following an Island Lakes pointer.

The trail climbed steeply at times gaining 400′ in 0.6-miles before starting to descend toward the Island Lakes.

Small creek that wasn’t shown on the maps.

Mount Ray

This woodpecker was too busy to bother with looking at me.

Maiden Peak (post)

This little meadow was at the high point of the trail.

Bleeding heart

After another 0.6-miles downhill I began seeing smaller unnamed lakes and ponds through the trees and after another quarter of a mile spotted Upper Island Lake on the right.

Upper Island Lake through the trees.

We had visited both Upper and Lower Island Lakes in 2013 so I wasn’t sure if I would detour to either this time around. Upper Island was close enough to the trail (and level enough) that I wound up detouring around a small pond to visit the lake.

The pond.

Upper Island Lake

After looping around the pond I returned to the trail and after looking down at Lower Island Lake decided not to revisit that one.

Sign for Lower Island Lake.

Beyond the Island Lakes the South Waldo Trail continued to descend to a junction with the Fuji Mountain Trail, a little over two miles from the Mount Ray Trail.

One of several more unnamed lakes/ponds along the trail.

Signs at the junction with the Fuji Mountain Trail.

With the visibility being pretty good considering the Emigrant Fire was burning less than 15-miles to the SE I decided to make the 2.2-mile climb to the summit of Fuji Mountain so I turned right at the junction. For the first mile the trail made a series of ups and downs netting a gain of just 300′ but there was a good deal more uphill involved.

Golden-mantled ground squirrel

After the mile I arrived at a junction with a spur trail arriving from the Fuji Mountain Trailhead at Road 5833. The junction was just inside the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire scar.

I turned right here and began the final 1.2-mile climb to the summit. Initially the trail was right along the border of the fire scar.

Fireweed

Mount David Douglas

Eventually the trail veered into the fire scar to begin a series of switchbacks to the summit.

Diamond Peak. The Emigrant Fire is to the right and behind the mountain.

Just ahead the trail gained the ridge at a viewpoint.

The ridge to the left is Bunchgrass Ridge (post).

The flat mountain in the center is Mount David Douglas. Directly behind (and way back) in the distance is Bohemian Mountain and Fairview Peak (post).

Looking up the ridge beneath the summit.

Viewpoint at the final switchback before the summit.

The final push.

Chipmunk

The former lookout site atop Fuji Mountain.

It looked a lot different this time given the massive 2022 Cedar Creek Fire combined with the fact that it had been snowy in 2013 and there was definitely haze from the wildfires in the air today .

The pointy Mt. Thielsen (post) behind and to the left of Diamond Peak.

Cowhorn Mountain (post) is the leftmost pointy peak followed by Howlock Mountain, Mt. Thielsen, Sawtooth Mountain (post), and finally the hump in the distance to the right is Llao Rock along the rim of Crater Lake.

Looking down at the fire scar.

Similar view in 2013.

The Husband, Middle Sister, South Sister (post), Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor (post)

Due to the haze Mt. Hood wasn’t visible at all this time and Mt. Jefferson was a struggle to see. Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Washington were visible to the naked eye but the camera had a hard time making them out.

Mount Ray with Crane Prairie Reservoir and Paulina Peak (post) behind.

Maiden Peak to the left with Odell Butte behind Odell Lake.

After a nice break at the summit I headed back down. It was 2.2-miles back to the South Waldo Lake junction and then another 3.6-miles down to the trailhead where I was parked. The lower 3.6-miles had its own set of ups and downs which I had conveniently blocked from my memory so instead of a nice long downhill section there was a fair amount of short climbing involved.

Fireweed

The South Waldo Trail junction.

Pinesap

There were two named lakes and several unnamed lakes/ponds along the lower 3.6-miles.

Verde Lake

Birthday Lake

The second of two nordic ski trails that left to the right. Both were very faint as far as tread goes indicating that they are not used much when there isn’t any snow.

California tortoiseshell

Pond

There were some areas where the mountain bikes had worn a good grove in the trail making it hard to land flat footed.

Maiden Peak through the trees.

I see cars!

Just like the previous day’s hike my GPS showed 15.3-miles when I was back at the car. As far as elevation gain goes, I am estimating it was around 3000′ when all the ups and downs are included.

Skipping the summit would have saved a little over 4.5-miles and around 1200′ of climbing leaving a moderate 10.8-mile loop with and estimated 1800′ of elevation gain. It’s hard to skip the summit given the Mount Ray – Island Lakes Loop lacks any major views. That being said the forest is very nice with the meadows and lakes providing some variety of scenery. I don’t know how busy the loop gets on weekends but not seeing another person on the trails was another plus for this hike. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Mount Ray – Island Lakes Loop

Tags birthday lake, Cedar Creek Fire, fuji mountain, Fuji Mountain Trail, Fuji Mountain Trailhead, Gold Lake, Gold Lake Trail, hiking, Lower Island Lake, Mount Ray - Island Lakes Loop, Mount Ray Trail, Mount Ray Trailhead, Oregon, Pothole Meadows, South Waldo Trail, Upper Island Lake, Verde Lake

High Cascades Hiking Mt. Jefferson Area Oregon Trip report

Duffy Lake Trail to Jorn Lake – 09/17/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date September 22, 2025
6 Comments on Duffy Lake Trail to Jorn Lake – 09/17/2025

For the second hike of my September vacation I decided to revisit one of our earliest hikes. Our first visit and only previous visit to Duffy Lake (post) had been over 15 years ago and was only our 14th day spent hiking. Since that time I have spent 774 more days on trails. My plan for this outing was to revisit Duffy and Mowich Lakes and to continue on to Jorn Lake which we had visited on a 2016 hike starting from the Marion Lake Trailhead (post). I left open the option to hike up Red Butte depending on the amount of wildfire haze, and how I was feeling.

I obtained a Central Cascades Wilderness Day Use Permit for the Duffy Lake Trailhead and arrived shortly before sunrise (I had expected to be delayed by road construction.)

There were already a lot of cars at the trailhead.

I set off on the Duffy Lake Trail which was quickly joined on the left by the main spur of the Duffy Lake Trail which begins at Big Meadows Horse Camp at the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness boundary.

It’s 3.3-miles and 750′ of elevation gain to Duffy Lake from the trailhead which makes for a pretty gentle climb. Both Heather and I prefer to have shorter sections broken up by markers (preferably no more than 1.5-miles) and for this hike I used a couple of trail junctions to do just that. From the junction with the cutoff to Big Meadows Horse Camp it is approximately 1.4-miles to the Turpentine Trail.

The first of two rock fields along this stretch. I heard a couple of pikas but was unable to spot any of them.

The second rock field.

You can loop back to the trailhead by combining this trail with the Big Meadows Tie Trail which brings you to the Duffy Lake Trail coming from the horse camp about a half mile from the junction near the trailhead. Heather and I did that in 2010, but I opted not to add the additional three quarters of a mile to my day.

From the junction with the Turpentine Trail it is another mile and a half to the next junction with the Lava Lakes Trail.

The North Santiam River’s dry bed alongside the trail.

The trail crossing the riverbed.

A small part of Duffy Butte visible ahead.

The Lava Lakes Trail connects to the Maxwell Butte Trail (post) 2.8-miles away at Twin Lakes.

Three tenths of a mile from the Lava Lakes Trail I arrived at a 4-way junction at the SW end of Duffy Lake where a day use area provides a nice view.

Signs at the 4-way junction. The day use area was to the left and the faint 0.4-mile Duffy Prairie Trail forked off to the right.

Day use sign on the tree at the bottom.

Lousewort

Aster

After a quick stop at the day use area I continued along the lake stopping on a footbridge over the outlet which feeds the North Santiam River when the lake is full enough.

Common merganser

Shortly after crossing the bridge I arrived at a junction with the Blue Lake Trail which marks the end of the Duffy Lake Trail. The Blue Lake Trail is eight miles long with one end a tenth of a mile to the right (east) of the Duffy Lake Trail at a junction with the Duffy Prairie and Santiam Lake Trails and the other end at the Marion Lake Trail. In 2010 we had forked right onto the Duffy Prairie Trail then we took the Santiam Lake Trail to visit Santiam Lake and returned to the Blue Lake Trail via the Dixie Lakes Trail. I knew I wasn’t going to visit Santiam Lake since we had revisited that lake from the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021 (post). I was considering taking the Dixie Lakes Trail on the way back and cutting down here on the Blue Lake Trail though.

For now I continued straight on the Blue Lake Trail passing more great views of Duffy Lake and Butte.

It was just over three quarters of a mile from the Duffy Lake/Blue Lake junction to Mowich Lake which required gaining nearly 300′ of elevation. Along this section the trail passed in and out of the 2003 B&B Fire scar.

Meadow near the end of Duffy Lake.

Duffy Butte from the fire scar.

Huckleberry bush

The trail leveled out before arriving at Mowich Lake.

No campfire sign just before the lake. I took the spur to the left which led down to the lake while the Blue Lake Trail continued to the right.

Heading down to Mowich Lake.

Red Butte to the right.

Instead of returning to the trail via the spur I’d come down I decided to follow the lake shore for a bit thinking I would just pop back up on the Blue Lake Trail when another use trail appeared.

American pipit

Opting to follow the lake shore turned out to be a bit of a poor choice. I wasn’t seeing any other use trails and I could see on the map that the Blue Lake Trail veered uphill away from the lake near its middle. After checking my GPS and seeing that I was getting pretty close to where the trail would be turning away, I decided to just turn uphill and bushwack to it.

The trail is up there somewhere.

Found it!

Duffy Butte behind Mowich Lake.

The trail climbed gradually through the fire scar and past the junction with the Dixie Lakes Trail.

It was approximately 0.8-miles between the spur trail down to Mowich Lake and the Dixie Lakes Trail junction.

The trail leveled out at the junction and continued a third of a mile to a use trail just before Alice Lake.

Pearly everlasting along the trail.

Level trail in unburnt forest.

At the use trail I faced the choice of continuing straight to Jorn Lake or detouring up Red Butte. I was feeling up to the 500′, half mile climb and more importantly the visibility was good. The issue I ran into was there were three tents set up nearly on top of the trail. Not wanting to trapse through their camp I cut through the forest and started up the butte hoping to pick up the use trail at some point.

Alice Lake below.

The summit of Red Butte.

After climbing almost two tenths of a mile I spotted the use trail.

The use trail in the dirt area in the middle of the trees.

Following the use trail.

Penstemon

Bumble bee on thistle.

Maxwell Butte from the use trail.

Scott Mountain (post) on the left and Diamond Peak (post) in the distance to the right.

Mt. Jefferson behind the trees.

The summit of Red Butte.

Once I was at the summit I headed south to an overlook of Mowich Lake.

The two Dixie Lakes are visible in the forest to the left of Mowich Lake.

Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington, and the Three Sisters.

The Three Sisters behind Mt. Washington.

After admiring the view from this end of the butte I headed back across the summit to get the view to the north.

South Cinder Peak (post) between the trees and Rockpile Mountain to the right of them.

A little scrambling over the downed trees to the left resulted in a great view to the north.

Northern flicker

Saddle Mountain and Marion Mountain (post) to the left with Jorn Lake below and Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

Jorn Lake

Mt. Hood peaking up to the left of Mt. Jefferson.

Fritillary on thistle.

After soaking in the view headed back down the trail looking for a little shade to take a break in.

I used this log as a bench to have a snack and change out my socks before following the use trail down to Alice Lake.

Milk kellogia

I passed a little closer to the tents on my way back to the Blue Lake Trail then turned left and headed toward Jorn Lake.

Red Butte across Alice Lake from the Blue Lake Trail.

The tents on the far side of Alice Lake.

The trail began to descend toward the Eight Lakes Basin losing approximately 200′ in nearly a mile to a junction with the Bowerman Lake Trail near Jorn Lake.

Aster

Green Peak, Saddle Mountain, and Marion Mountain

Jorn Lake

I turned right onto the Bowerman Lake trail for a moment then took a use trail down to the lake.

After visiting the lake I headed back up the Blue Lake Trail. Two tenths of a mile from the Bowerman Lake Trail junction I veered downhill on a faint use trail to visit Red Butte Lake.

The top of Three Fingered Jack from the trail.

The use trail.

Three Fingered Jack from Red Butte Lake.

From Red Butte Lake I cut back up to the Blue Lake Trail and climbed back up past Alice Lake to the Dixie Lakes Trail junction.

From what little I could see of the Dixie Lakes Trail it appeared to be in good shape, so I veered left and headed for the lakes.

After half a mile I spotted North Dixie Lake through the trees.

I found a good use trail and headed down to the lake for a closer look.

Once again I decided to follow the lakeshore instead of returning to the trail and followed it to the southern end with a good view of Red Butte.

From North Dixie Lake I crossed a meadow and arrived at South Dixie Lake.

Woodpecker

Elk and deer prints in the mud.

It was a lot easier to cut back over to the trail from South Dixie Lake than it had been from Mowich Lake.

Not long after leaving South Dixie Lake the trail began to descend to its junction with the Santiam Lake Trail.

This was the only tree down along the trail which clearly receives maintenance from time to time.

The Three Pyramids (post)

Paintbrush

It was a total of 1.6-miles from the Blue Lake Trail junction to the junction with the Santiam Lake Trail.

I turned right on the Santiam Lake Trail and followed it 0.4-miles to the 3-way junction with the Blue Lake and Duffy Prairie trails.

Unsigned junction with the Duffy Prairie Trail on the left and the Blue Lake Trail on the right.

Since we had taken the Duffy Prairie Trail in 2010 I forked right onto the Blue Lake Trail which descended steeply to the junction with the Duffy Lake Trail in just a tenth of a mile.

The junction with the Duffy Lake Trail.

I turned left onto the Duffy Lake Trail and followed it 3.6-miles back to the car. There wasn’t much new to see on the way back. I still wasn’t able to spot any of the pikas I was hearing in the rock fields. Outside of small birds, chipmunks, and squirrels the only other critters I saw were a couple of grouse including one in the trail near the trailhead.

This hike came in at 15.3-miles with a just over 2000′ of cumulative elevation gain.

While most of the hike was on trails that we’d previously hiked I managed to get a small amount of new trail. While we’ve covered a lot of the area around Three Fingered Jack there are still some trails/sections left to explore.

There were a lot of people on the trails here, which was a little surprising given it was a Wednesday in September, but they were pretty spread out so no location that I visited felt crowded outside of the trailhead. The view from Red Butte is a really good one and well worth a visit. Happy Trails!

Flicker: Duffy Lake Trail to Jorn Lake

Tags Alice Lake, Blue Lake Trail, Dixie Lakes, Dixie Lakes Trail, Duffy Lake, Duffy Lake Trail, Duffy Prairie Trail, hiking, Jorn Lake, Mowich Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon, Red Butte, Red Butte Lake, Santiam Lake Trail

Columbia River Gorge South Hiking Oregon Trip report

Benson Plateau via the Herman Creek – 09/15/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date September 17, 2025
2 Comments on Benson Plateau via the Herman Creek – 09/15/2025

I began my final solo vacation of the year with a visit to the Columbia River Gorge National Recreation Area and the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. My plan was based on an entry in Matt Reeder’s “PDX Hiking 365” (1st edition) guidebook.

He describes a 14-mile out and back hike to the Plateau starting at the Herman Creek Trailhead with a cumulative elevation gain of 3800′. Most of the hike passes through the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire scar using the Herman Creek, Herman Creek Bridge, and Pacific Crest Trails.

I arrived at the trailhead before sunrise due to wanting to get through Portland traffic before 6am.

There were a few important pieces of information at the trailhead signboard.

Important information included the need of a NW Forest Pass to park at the trailhead, that there is currently a campfire ban, and no fireworks are allowed (illegal use of fireworks started the Eagle Creek Fire).

I set off on the Herman Creek Trail and followed it uphill passing under a powerline corridor to a junction with the Herman Creek Bridge Trail at the 0.6-mile mark.

I forked right onto the 1.1-mile-long Herman Creek Bridge Trail which descended to the Herman Creek Bridge then climbed to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

Herman Creek

Climbing toward the PCT. Note the red leaves on the left which is poison oak. There was a fair amount of poison oak along the lower portion of this hike. There were a couple of spots where I had to get small to squeeze between some of it, but I was able to avoid it by staying alert.

Beardtongue

More poison oak. With it turning red for the Fall most of it was easy to spot.

First pika sighting of the day. (Can you spot it?)

The Columbia River Gorge is the lowest elevation at which pikas live. These members of the rabbit family require temperatures below 78 degrees and primarily live at higher elevations with longer snowy seasons during which they live underground surviving on greens collected during summer months.

The Moon above cliffs.

The junction with the PCT. The hike up to this point had retraced part of our 2015 to Pacific Crest Falls (post).

In 2015 we had gone right to visit the waterfall, but this time I turned left on the PCT which quickly entered the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness.

From the junction it was a nearly constant 5-mile climb to Benson Plateau. There were a couple of small saddles that provided a little up and down near the plateau but otherwise it was a steady but never steep climb.

First good viewpoint across the Columbia River.

Another pika. I heard several but only spotted three or four.

The summit of Mt. Adams peaking over the ridge across the river.

Table Mountain (post) on the left and Greenleaf Peak (post) on the right.

The amount of poison oak lessened as the trail climbed giving way to friendlier greenery.

One of two large trees over the trail. This one required the removal of my pack so that I could crawl under. The other one was just enough smaller that it could be climbed over.

View along the trail.

A little more of Mt. Adams showing.

Heading into the sunlight.

Grouse on the PCT. There wound up being at least 5 or 6 grouse nearby.

Grouse in a tree.

The tree I climbed over.

There were a few overgrown sections, but fortunately they were high enough up that the poison oak was no longer an issue.

Up, up, up through the forest.

Strategic use of switchbacks helped keep the trail from being too steep.

Near the switchback above I caught a strong whiff of fire. Not smoke in the air, but the unmistakable smell of fire. It made me a little uneasy because there weren’t any nearby fires showing on the online maps I’d checked before leaving. After climbing another switchback the trail gained a ridgetop, and I discovered the source of the smell. A pair of bow hunters had set up a fire ring and built a fire right next to the trail and a tree. They had their tent, sleeping bags and gear strewn about and when they spotted me they explained they were trying to “dry out” their gear. It was obvious from their need to quickly explain why they had a fire that they knew it wasn’t okay. I didn’t feel comfortable calling them out on it so I made my way around their gear and continued on.

The ridgetop. The bow hunters were about 100 yards behind me at this point.

I continued on getting a view of Mt. St. Helens through the snags.

Another grouse. This was one of 8 to 10 that were in this area.

The cliffy Hamilton Mountain (post) on the Washington side of the gorge.

Explorer’s gentian

After another switchback the trail arrived at an open viewpoint.

The PCT continuing uphill.

Mt. Adams

Closer look at Mt. Adams

Mt. Hood partially hidden by trees.

Mt. Hood

Approximately a half mile from the illegal campfire I arrived at Teakettle Spring.

It was good to know that there was water available here as the only other source I’d passed was Herman Creek. I was carrying an extra Hydroflask full of water just in case, and after seeing the campfire I came up with another use for it. I decided that I would add that water to my pack bladder when I reached the plateau and then refill the Hydroflask from the spring on the way down to use on the fire pit if necessary.

The trail continued to climb beyond the spring before crossing two saddles along a ridge. In the second saddle the Benson Way Trail arrived on the right.

Beargrass along the trail is much better than poison oak.

Sections of the ridge burned intensely in 2017.

Near the second saddle the trail left the 2017 fire scar, although a very small section did burn in the 2024 Whiskey Creek Fire.

The Benson Way Trail on the right.

The final climb to the Benson Plateau.

The trail eventually leveled out on the plateau.

Approximately three quarters of a mile from the Benson Way junction I passed the Benson-Ruckle Trail, again on the right.
Trail signs for the Benson-Ruckle Trail.

Reeder mentioned a campsite near the junction, but I didn’t see an obvious one. I continued on looking for the campsite but after a tenth of a mile I instead spotted a short use trail to a rocky viewpoint. I decided that would make for a good spot for a break.

It wasn’t a huge view, but it was nice and the rocks made for a great spot to sit down, have a snack, add the remaining Hydroflask water to my pack, and then change into dry socks.

After the break I headed back the way I’d come. It would have been possible to use the network of trail on the plateau to make a loop around it, but 14-miles was enough for me today.

I made my way back down to Teakettle Spring and refilled the Hydroflask as planned.

The hump with radio towers behind the ridge is Mt. Defiance (post).

Not long after leaving the springs I encountered the bow hunters who were standing in the trail looking at their phone. They asked me if I knew where the spring was because they were “plumb out of water”. I informed them it was about 100 yards further up the trail and continued on now wondering if they were out of water due to dousing the campfire or if they had had enough water to do that in the first place.

Approaching the best viewpoint.

Not only was Mt. Adams a little clearer but I realized the top of Mt. Rainier was visible from the viewpoint as well.

Mt. Rainier behind Red Mountain (post).

Huckleberry leaves.

Vine maple

When I arrived at the site of the fire pit I could tell that they had at least attempt to extinguish the fire.

The fire pit. In no way is this acceptable, even if fires weren’t currently banned. If it is legal to have a fire and you feel you must please follow Leave No Trace Principles.

Even though there was no visible smoke I knew that fires can easily burn underground, sometimes for days until they reach a tree or stump at which point they can reemerge above ground causing a full-on wildfire. I felt the dirt over the fire and sure enough it was still putting off heat so I exposed some of the coals and poured the Hydroflask out over them. This produced a lot of hissing so I did a little stirring and added more water from my bladder attempting to make “campfire soup”. After doing what I could with what I was carrying I marked the location with the GPS so I could report it to the Forest Service when I had the chance which I did later.

I continued down the trail and when I neared the tree that required crawling under met a pair of backpackers heading up to the plateau. I described the fire pit to them, and they indicated that they were carrying extra water and would add some if necessary.

Other than that it was an uneventful downhill until I reached the rocky hillsides where I once again had some luck spotting pikas.

This one was more than happy to pose for me for a bit.

At the end of the day my GPS read 14.2-miles with the 3800′ of elevation gain as advertised.

Despite the issue with the illegal fire this was a nice, challenging hike. There really isn’t anything that will blow you away scenery wise, but there is enough of a mix to keep it interesting. While the upper portion of the trails can get pretty snowy from November through late April/early May this would be a great training hike while waiting for the higher elevations to become snow free. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Benson Plateau

Tags Benson Plateau, Benson Way, Benson-Ruckle Trail, Columbia River Gorge, grouse, Herman Creek Bridge Trail, Herman Creek Trail, Herman Creek Trailhead, hiking, Oregon, Pacific Crest Trail, PCT, Pika, Teakettle Spring

High Cascades Hiking Oregon Three Sisters Area Trip report

Park Meadow to Golden Lake – 09/13/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date September 15, 2025
No Comments on Park Meadow to Golden Lake – 09/13/2025

September is one of the trickier months for picking hikes. The transition to Fall has begun meaning most of the wildflowers are done while the Fall colors are just getting started. Rain begins returning (and sometimes snow at higher elevations), but many of the waterfalls are still running low. Finally, wildfire smoke has often been a problem in recent years.

The hike to Park Meadow and Golden Lake seemed a good option as it isn’t a big wildflower hike and there aren’t a lot of plants known for their Fall colors. We had visited the meadow and Golden Lake during a 2014 backpacking loop around the South Sister (post). That visit was enough for us to count having hiked part of Sullivan’s featured hike in his “100 Hike/Travel Guide Central Oregon Cascades” (post), but it meant we’d skipped the five miles of trail between the Park Meadow Trailhead and Park Meadow.

With a forecast of mostly smoke and cloud free skies we made the two-and-a-half-hour drive to the trailhead.

The trail begins across Forest Road 16 from the trailhead at a signboard and wilderness permit box.

Currently for day hikes the only permit currently required is the free self-issued wilderness permit that we filled out at the signboard. For overnight trips a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit is required.

The Park Meadow Trail spends most of its time in the 2012 Pole Creek Fire scar which burned nearly all the trees leaving views of the Three Sisters and Broken Top through the snags. The trail also loses 350′ of elevation for the first 3.9-miles to Wychus Creek.

Junco

Heather spotted three deer on the rise in the distance.

Lupine

At the 0.25-mile mark the trail arrives at junction with the Metolius-Windigo Trail. We stayed straight following the pointer for “JCT. PARK MEADOW TR.”

The Three Sisters on the horizon.

Sparrow

Fireweed

Northwestern rabbit-tabacco

Broken Hand along Tam McArthur Rim (post) on the left with the tip of Broken Top above the hill on the right.

Pearly everlasting

Just over two miles from the trailhead we arrived at an unnamed stream near the second junction with the Metolius-Windigo Trail.

Reflection in the stream.

We again stayed straight continuing on the Park Meadow Trail which soon came to a crossing of Snow Creek at the border of the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Pearly everlasting along Snow Creek.

Paintbrush

Sweet bee on milk kelloggia

We spotted a pair of ravens in the snag tops ahead.

Raven

Penstemon

Broken Top and South Sister (post).

Broken Top

South Sister

Woodpecker from below.

Near the 4-mile mark we arrived at Wychus Creek. At 6000′ this was the lowest elevation of the hike.

From Wychus Creek it is just over a mile to Park Meadow. Shortly before reaching the meadow the trail leaves the fire scar.

Cinquefoil

Aster

Orange sulphur

Entering unburned forest.

South Sister from a pond at the end of Park Meadow.

Red-tailed hawk

Broken Top from Park Meadow

Park Creek crossing.

Park Meadow junction with the Green Lakes Trail.

On our backpacking loop we used the Green Lakes Trail to reach the meadow from the Camp Lake Trail making this junction the point at which we completed Sullivan’s entire featured hike. I arrived here first because Heather and I had split up back at Wychus Creek. She had decided against pushing on to Golden Lake which was another 1.7-miles and 500′ in elevation gain away.

I hiked through the meadow which was filled with alpine gentians and then began to climb through the forest to the unmarked junction with the use trail to Golden Lake.

Alpine gentians

Golden-mantled ground squirrel

Townsend’s solitaire

Small cairn and bandana marking the use trail. This is approximately 1-mile from the junction in Park Meadow.

I veered left up the use trail which quickly leveled out and brought me to Golden Lake in 0.7-miles.

South Sister from the use trail.

Broken Top from the trail. If you look down the trail on the right between the trees, you can see a deer crossing the trail.

While it isn’t an official trail there is no camping allowed within 250′ of Golden Lake. In addition, throughout the Three Sisters Wilderness building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire above 5700′ is prohibited. Stoves must be fueled with liquid or compressed gas.

The Moon above south sister.

Golden Lake and Broken Top with some September haze. There is a crossing of the outlet that leads to the eastern shore.

The Three Sisters from Golden Lake.

I wasn’t planning on going beyond Golden Lake, but I had left that option open depending on time and how I was feeling. On our backpacking trip we had continued up to a tarn almost a mile (and another 500′) and set up camp. We wound up not staying there though when we got spooked by the sudden arrival of smoke and a visible smoke column on the far side of South Sister. It was a rookie mistake as the fire wound up being over 40-miles away. Now that I was back 11 years later I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the tarn and our almost campsite again. I followed a path along the eastern shore to the outlet creek then headed uphill.

Looking back along the path along the eastern shore.

Uphill along the inlet.

Pink monkeyflower

I believe the purple is an aster, red a paintbrush, and yellow Buek’s groundsel.

Aster and pink monkeyflower

Tilling’s monkeyflower

The creek emerges from springs at the base of a moraine.

The final push to the tarn is a steep climb up a glacial moraine.

The Three Sisters and the creek from the moraine.

The tarn.

Due to the position of the Sun and the smoke getting a good picture of Broken Top from the tarn was impossible.

South and North Sister from the tarn. Middle Sister is behind the clump of trees which is where we had set up our tent in 2014.

I made my way around the tarn and stopped at the 2014 campsite to take a break.

California tortoiseshell

Another attempt at Broken Top.

Fireweed along the smaller tarn.

Campsite

Middle and North Sister from the campsite.

After a snack and a change of socks I headed back down. It was just before 11am when I made my way back down the moraine and then by Golden Lake again.

South Sister

Middle Sister and Prouty Point

North Sister

Arnica and paintbrush near one of the springs feeding the creek.

Alpine speedwell

Lupine

Mushroom

The inlet creek crossing ahead.

I simply retraced my steps from here back to the trailhead. There were a few more wildlife sightings along the way and a few more trail users. The elevation gains after Wychus Creek were a mean trick given it was now warmer while I was heading uphill but there was an occasional cool breeze and it wasn’t too hot of a day to begin with (low 60’s).

Northern flicker

The trails were all in good shape. This was the “worst” obstacle encountered.

Mushroom

Park Creek

Common wood nymph in pearly everlasting.

One of the numerous small uphill sections on the way back to the trailhead.

A little more haze and a couple more clouds on the way back.

Black Crater (post)

Another uphill and more clouds forming overhead.

The post on the right marks the site of the former trailhead. This is approximately 1.2-miles from the current trailhead.

I arrived back at the trailhead a little after 1:30pm and found Heather waiting in her camp chair.

My hike to the tarn above Golden Lake came in at 15.2-miles with 1800′ of cumulative elevation gain. Heather’s to Park Meadow was a little over 10-miles with 800′ of elevation gain.

This was indeed a good time for this hike. There were no mosquitos or yellow jackets to speak of. The former are a problem in July and early August and the latter can get aggressive later in the Fall. While most of the wildflowers had passed there were still some blooming and it wasn’t too hot. The lack of tree cover combined with the uphill on the way back wouldn’t be a lot of fun on a hot summer day. Happy Trails!

Flicker: Park Meadow to Golden Lake

Tags Broken Top, Golden Lake, Green Lakes Trail, hiking, Oregon, park creek, Park Meadow, Park Meadow Trail, Park Meadow Trailhead, Snow Creek, South Sister, Three Sisters Wilderness, Wychus Creek