Sun Apr 13 – Wildflower walk. We’ll look for early wildflowers near Corvallis with Matt Blakely-Smith of the Corvallis Chapter,
Native Plant Society of Oregon. Probably one or more trails in McDonald Forest. Moderate, not more than 6 mi/1000’ gain. 9:00 am.
Doris deLespinasse, 753-4775,
Sat Apr 19 – Santiam Wagon Road cross-key. Much of this beautiful historic route has been restored for hikers and equestrians; so
let’s walk one of the best parts on this day close to Earth Day. One group will walk down from Seven-Mile Camp past beautiful House
Rock; the other will go up. Lush forests, clear river; once we saw a spotted owl. Moderate, 7 mi/1100’ loss or gain. 9:00 am. Randy
Selig, Leslie Hogan, 924-0130, ; Irene & Armand Schoppy.
Sat Apr 26 – Little North Santiam. This Cascade foothills hike is east of Salem, in mossy old forests with spring flowers. It passes
emerald pools and a waterfall. Steep and rocky in places; probably muddy. Moderate, 9 mi/900’ gain. 8:00 am. Bob Custer, 745-3994,
Sun Apr 27 – Old Growth Trail. A gentle stroll to this lovely little trail, a favorite of the leader’s and many other locals. Ferns,
wildflowers, two lovely little streams to cross. May be muddy and slippery in places. Easy, 2 mi/260’ gain. 1:00 pm. Ray Drapek, 754-
7364,
Tue Apr 29 – Backpack class. Guidance on current backpacking equipment and practices for beginners and experienced backpackers.
Information on MPG and Chemeketan backpacks planned for 2008. Chemekeden, 360-1/2 State Street, Salem, 7-9 pm. Bob Custer,
745-3994, for information or car pooling from Corvallis area.
Sat May 3 – Tour of New Coburg Ridge Nature Conservancy Preserve. A Nature Conservancy tour guide will take us through
this newest and largest Willamette Valley preserve, near Eugene. See http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oregon/
press/press2996.html. Normally not open to the public, it preserves rare prairie and oak woodland habitats which shelter 26 species worthy
of protection, including the Fender’s Blue Butterfly. Moderate/strenuous; rough ground, with some steep and off-trail portions. 9:00 am.
Preregister; number is limited. Steve Ford, 929-6207,
Thur May 8 – Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Tour. See how they rehabilitate injured and orphaned native wildlife
and give wildlife education classes at this Corvallis organization. 1:00 pm. Meet on First Street behind the Super 8 Motel. Marilyn Hinds,
929-7136,
Sat May 10 – Marys Peak North Ridge. We’ll go up the North Ridge Trail from Woods Creek, through old growth cedar, fir,
hemlock, probably some spring flowers. Views from the top can reach from the ocean to Cascade peaks. Difficult, 9 mi/2200’ gain. 9:00 am.
Bruce Encke & Loretta Rivard, 753-6884,
Sat May 17 – Trail Work. Mulkey Creek trail maintenance for Benton County Parks Dept. Tasks include reshaping and shoring up
tread on the steep hill, perhaps with cribbing, graveling and other lighter tasks. We will have OSU geography students working with us.
Bring work gloves, water, lunch. 8:30 am; return mid-afternoon. Margie Powell, Denise Nervik, Tom Bucht, 738-1333,
Fri-Mon May 23-26 – Oregon Coast Camping. MPG’s Memorial weekend car-camp is at Sunset Bay State park near Coos Bay, in
one of the most scenic areas on the Oregon coast. The park features beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs. We’ll hike at
the park as well as inland, to waterfalls in the dense coastal forest. $20 per person. Tom Bucht, 738-1333,
Sat May 24 – Beginner Hike at Bald Hill. Take a walk in the Bald Hill/Mulkey Creek area near Corvallis; discuss hiking skills,
etiquette, equipment. Easy, 2-3 miles, 200-300’ gain. 9:00 am. Christy Stevens, 753-4353,
Sat-Mon May 31-June 2 – North Fork, Smith River Backpack. Preference given to new or returning backpackers. Pack 3 miles
from trailhead near Reedsport through old growth in Smith River Canyon. Day hike 7-10 miles Sunday to one or both of the Kentucky
Falls, most spectacular in the Coast Range. Elevation gains are not large; day hike on Sunday may be steep and rugged in places. Easy/
moderate. Lelia Barlow, (e-mail preferred); Larry Davis, 503/390-8210. Register by May 14.
Sat May 31 – Trail Work. Bald Hill trail maintenance for Corvallis City Parks Dept. Tread reshaping, graveling and clipping, invasive
removal, other tasks. Bring work gloves, water, lunch. 8:30 am; return mid-afternoon. Margie Powell, Denise Nervik, Tom Bucht, 738-1333,
Sun June 1 – Dixon Creek Tour. Tour this Corvallis urban stream from headwaters to river. Sponsored by Benton Soil and Water
Conservation District with support from other organizations. Details in weekly email. (Not a Sierra Club activity). Further info: Dave
Eckert,
Sat June 7 – Tapawingo Black Rock Area to Brown Mountain. Near Falls City, hike up through towering trees, with lunch in a
cathedral of Douglas Fir trees at the top of Brown Mountain. See the first mountain bike trail system approved by the Oregon Department
of Forestry. Challenging courses and jumps of native materials blend into the forest. Moderate, 7.5mi/1,700’ gain. 9:00 am. Jane Luther,
758-8279,
Sun June 15 – Coast Range Hike. Someplace new. See weekly emails for more information. Moderate, 5-7 mi., not more than
1,200’ gain. 9:00 am. Tom Bucht, 738-1333,
Wed June 18 – Pringle Creek Tour. Tour this outstanding sustainable community in Salem. See weekly emails for more
information. Preregister. Marilyn Hinds, 929-7136,
Fri-Sun June 20-22 – Indian Heaven Backpack. We’ll do a 10-mile loop past mountain lakes, through subalpine forests and
meadows around Bird Mountain in this small Washington wilderness near Mt. Adams. We’ll camp at Cultus and Wood Lakes. Elevation
change is 1,700 feet, including 1,100 of gain on the first day. New backpackers welcome. Easy/moderate. Allan King, 503/399-9990,
; Joanne DeMay.
Sat June 21 – Morning Stroll in Beazell Memorial Forest. At this beautiful woodland park in Kings Valley near Philomath, we’ll
walk a loop, up cool shaded Plunkett Creek and then to the top of the hill to the view of Marys Peak. Moderate, 4 miles maximum, 700'
gain/loss. 9:00 am. Cliff Cooper, 760-2543,
Sat June 21 – Solstice Party. See Events
Sun June 22 – Dome Rock. A lengthy, strenuous, but well-graded and rewarding climb through rhododendrons, beargrass, other
flowers and occasional grand views. At the top, 360 degree views of Mt. Jefferson, other parts of the Cascades, Tumble Lake just below, and
Detroit Lake far below. Joint hike with Salem Chemeketans. 8:00 am at Wilkinson; call leader for Salem departure time/place. Difficult, 10.6
mi/3,279’ gain. Larry Davis, 503/390-8210,
; Doris deLespinasse
Sat June 28 – Browder Ridge. Near Iron Mountain, but higher and in many ways better. Old growth, flower-filled meadows,
stupendous views – and no crowds. We’ll go up the well-graded Gate Creek trail to the upper meadows; then those who wish will scramble
to the rock outcroppings and amazing views at the top. Difficult, 8.4 mi/2,100’ gain. 9:00 am. Bruce Encke & Loretta Rivard, 753-6884,
Sunday, June 29th – Rafting on the McKenzie. A long, fun, splashy day on the beautiful McKenzie River! Paddle raft from Blue
River to Helfrich County Park on a class 2-3 run. Great for summer visitors. $50 fee. Pre-registration required. Contact leader: Ray Drapek,
754-7364,
Fri July 4 – Hike, Picnic, Sunset, Fireworks, Marys Peak. Join us for one or both of these: (1) Hike from the upper parking lot
down East Ridge, across Tie Trail, and back. Then picnic dinner at summit. Bring picnic, warmer clothing for breezes. Moderate, 4-5 mi/
1,000’ gain. (2) After dinner, hike short trail to summit, watch sunset, wait for fireworks in Corvallis, Salem, Albany, Newport and Eugene.
Return to Corvallis before midnight. Bring warm clothes, blanket or sleeping bag, flashlights, camp chairs, binoculars, food and drink to
share. Easy, 1.5 miles/350' gain. Option #1: Wilkinson, 4:15 pm. If doing only Option #2, meet at Marys Peak upper parking lot, 8:00
pm. Doris deLespinasse, 753-4775, ; Robert Verhoogen. Rain cancels both.
Wed July 9 – Iron Mountain Flowers and Geology. Hike to Oregon’s premier wildflower meadows and stunning Cascade views.
Ralph Nafziger will help us understand some of the geology. Moderate, 6.6 mi/1900 ft. Meet at 8:00 am, First Street parking area behind
the Super 8 Motel. Number may be limited. Doris deLespinasse, 753-4775, ; Robert Verhoogen.
Fri-Sun July 11-13 – Dickey Creek Trail Backpack. See glorious old growth and mountain lakes in this uncrowded corner of the
Bull of the Woods Wilderness. We’ll camp part way to Big Slide Lake on the first day, then move to the lake and explore the area on the
second, hike all the way out (mostly downhill) on the third. Moderate. David Anderson, 758-7602,
Sat July 12 – Philomath Area Wineries Tour. Spend the afternoon visiting and tasting at some of the small wineries located in and
around Philomath. Bring your lunch and we’ll start with a picnic at one of the wineries. Transportation will be provided. Fee to cover tasting
and transportation. 12:00 noon. Pre-register by June 27. Steve Ford, 929-6207,
Sun July 13 – Beazell Memorial Forest Dog Walk. With or without a dog, walk the lovely shaded gravel roads and creekside trails
at this Benton County park in Kings Valley, near Philomath. Dogs must be under leash or voice control at all times, be well-behaved and
non-aggressive to people and other dogs. Easy/moderate, 3 mi./600’ gain. 9:00 am. Kay Yates, 754-0463, ; Monika
Shepherd, 754-5994.
Fri-Thur July 18-24 – Sawtooths Backpack. Backpack 5-7 miles per day for 5 days in Idaho’s beautiful Sawtooth Mountains,
camping each night at a mountain lake. Elevations from 7,000’ to 8,330’. Moderate; for experienced backpackers. Bob Custer, 745-3994,
Sun July 20 – Mt. Scott. Starting from near the McKenzie Highway, hike into the Mt. Washington Wilderness past mountain lakes
to high meadows, probably lingering wildflowers, and at the top an aerial view of the entire route, plus half a dozen Cascade peaks.
Moderate, 8-10 mi/1300’ or more gain. Limited to 12; wilderness area. 8:00 am. Leslie Hogan, 924-0130, ; Karl Hartzell.
Sat July 26 – Battle Ax Mountain. Spectacular loop to highest peak in Bull of the Woods Wilderness. Views from Mt. Ranier to
Marys Peak. 8:00 am. Moderate, 5.6 mi/1,600’ gain. Limited to 12; wilderness area. Larry Davis, 503/390-8210,
Sun July 27 – Oak Creek Loop Hike in McDonald Forest. We’ll go up well-shaded roads and the Uproute Trail. An early start
will make this loop trail a breeze. Moderate, 4.5 mi/690’ gain. 7:30 am. Barry Wulff, 929-6272, ; Robert Verhoogen.
Sat Aug 2 – Headwaters of the Metolius. We will follow this “most magical of Oregon rivers” from the Lower Canyon Creek
Campground, downstream to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery, and then back. Lunch at the hatchery (we won’t eat the fish). Long drive, but
an easy walk. 5.5 miles, 100' gain/loss. 8:00 am. Cliff Cooper, 760-2543,
Sun Aug 3 – Finley Wildlife Preserve. A leisurely walk on the shaded Mill Hill Loop at Finley Wildlife Preserve south of Corvallis.
Gentle ups and downs through varied forest types and beside the Gray Creek Swamp. 3.1 mi/220’ gain. 9:00 am. Karl Hartzell, 758-2275,
Sat Aug 9 – Cape Lookout. Walk through a dense forest of gnarled spruce and hemlock on this narrow, cliff-edged cape jutting into
the Pacific. We may stop at a local café for warm pie a la mode after the hike. Easy, 4.8 mi/400’ gain. 8:00 am. Jim & Nancye Ballard, 752-
4441,
Sunday, August 10th – Evening Float/Potluck Picnic on the Willamette. Michael’s Landing to Hyak Park while the moon rises.
4:30 to 10:00 pm. We’ll raft up and have a snack food picnic along the way. Bring friends and summer guests on this popular activity. $25
fee. Pre-registration required. Contact leader: Christy Stevens at 753-4353, .
Sat Aug 16 – Corvallis-area Hike. A well-shaded, moderate level hike somewhere near Corvallis. See weekly email for details. Lelia
Barlow, (e-mail preferred); 758-8279.
Sat Aug 23 – Patjens Lakes. The Patjens Lakes Trail, near the Santiam Pass, is the only moderate day hike in the Mt. Washington
Wilderness. This mostly forested hike will take us to small lakes with views of Mt. Washington, the Three Sisters, and other Cascade peaks,
then to a beach on Big Lake. Easy/moderate, 6 mi/400’ gain. Limited to 12; wilderness area. 8:00 am. Randy Selig, 738-0753,
Sat-Sun Aug 30-Sept 7 – PCT Backpack V. This backpack continues the trek south on the Pacific Crest Trail, through the Mt.
Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas. We will hike in a variety of habitats from alpine meadows to Cascade forests and rocky lava
fields. Limited participation. Difficult. Ray Drapek, 754-7364,
Sat Aug 30 – Three Marys Peak Summit Hikes – North Ridge, East Ridge, Meadow Edge. A Labor Day weekend tradition.
For all of us, great views from the top, from the ocean to the Cascades on a clear day. (1) North Ridge Trail to the Summit. From Woods
Creek Road through heavy Douglas fir, cedar, and Noble fir forests. Difficult, 9.4 mi/2300’ gain. 8:00 am. Doris deLespinasse, 753-4775,
(2) East Ridge to Summit. From Conner’s Camp, up though large firs, vistas over the coast range. Moderate, 7 mi/
1500’ gain. 9:00 am. Barry Wulff, 929-6272, (3) This year we’ll add an easier option – hike around the meadow, through
the trees, and to the top. Easy, 3 miles/500’gain. 10:00 am. Jim & Nancye Ballard, 752-4441,
Sat-Tues Sept 13-16 – Fall Creek - Broken Top Backpack. Experience woodsy creeks, high alpine meadows, glaciers and
mountain lakes in the Three Sisters Wilderness. We’ll go in at Green Lakes, spend two nights camping and exploring near the base of
Broken Top, then return via the Soda Creek Trail. 18 miles and 3000' elevation gain with packs, plus day hikes. Moderate/difficult. Larry
Davis, 503/390-8210,
; Lelia Barlow.
Fri-Sun Sept 19-21 – Lewis River Car Camp. We’ll camp among fir trees beside the Lewis River at the Lower Falls group camp. This
site, in Southern Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest, is rated as a “10” for its scenic location. Hike to falls along the river, to the
best viewpoint of Mt. St. Helens, maybe to a cave – see area hikes in Sullivan’s 100 Hikes in NW Oregon. Planned hikes are moderate to
difficult; easier trails are available. Bob Custer, 745-3994,
