The Peak View Newsletter May 26th, 2025

[Rose Young]

The Peak View

Marys Peak Group - Sierra Club

P.O Box 863, Corvallis, OR 97339

http://oregon2.sierraclub.org/marys-peak

May 26th, 2025

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This Week! 

2025 Liz & Bob Frenkel Spring Webinar Series

The Downtown Corvallis Willamette River Parks

Wednesday, May 28th, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Join us for the third and final webinar in the String of Pearls: The Magical River Parks of Corvallis series. The talk will provide the historical background, park ecology, and current user opportunities for the City parks along the Willamette River adjacent to Downtown Corvallis. Featured sites include Sawala Point Park, Riverfront Commemorative Park, North Riverfront Park, and Orleans Natural Area. 

Presented by Dave Eckert, Program Chair of Marys Peak Group Sierra Club and the Water Action Team Leader for the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition.

To register for this free webinar, click on: cbcpl.net/Frenkel3

For general information, contact Dave Eckert: dec...@willamettewatershed.com

Sponsors: Marys Peak Group Sierra Club, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library & the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Water Action Team

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Hikes:

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Green Peak Falls

Alsea Falls Recreation Area

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: less than 4 miles 

Reservations required! Space is limited. Contact the outing leader to reserve a spot and obtain further details. Leader: Robert White, rlw...@gmail.com

Green Peak Falls is a lesser known waterfall in the Alsea Falls area. It is actually larger and more picturesque than the better known destination. This hike serves as a nice break in the middle of the day. We managed to reach the waterfalls about two hours after we left Corvallis. 

The round trip hiking distance is less than four miles. However the trail can be difficult with steep portions, roots, steps, etc. It is for the “sure footed” hiker. Trekking and/or hiking poles are encouraged. Consequently the route is rated moderate. We start at the Alsea Falls day use area and proceed along the South Fork of the Alsea River through a dense forest. Along the way we will pass through the new Hubert McBee County Park/Campground. The campground is in the very early development stages and should prove to be a nice asset to the area. The trail continues up Peak Creek to the waterfalls. At the falls we descend some steps to the base. This is a nice place to take a break and have a snack. Be sure to bring plenty of water. 

The route is an “out and back” and you will have an opportunity on the return to stop and take in Alsea Falls. If people choose, they can also picnic in the day use area. When we scouted the route we returned via Alsea and had some nice pie a la mode at an Alsea cafe. 

We will meet in Corvallis at the BiMart parking lot on Philomath Blvd to arrange carpooling. You may also meet us at the Alsea Falls Day Use area. This is BLM land and there is a parking fee. The Federal Senior Pass covers parking. Permits can be purchased on site.

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Announcements:

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Summer Potluck and Hike

When: June 21 from 1 pm to 5 pm

Where: Fireside Shelter in Avery Park 

Bring: 

• A salad, a main dish or dessert with a serving spoon or fork, and please write out an ingredient list for the food items you bring.
  
• A plate, fork, knife, spoon, and napkin.  
• Your own drinks.  No alcohol please.
• A camp chair if you have one (this shelter only has seating for 25).  

Fireside Shelter is not well marked. To get there from Hwy 99 turn onto Avery Park road. (Across from Crystal Lake Storage.) Continue going straight into Avery Park toward the horseshoe pits. Park in the second parking lot on your right. If you have difficulty finding it, call Mary Beth Downes at 541-250-2563. No pets please.

At 3 pm Robert White will lead a short hike around Avery Park. It may be hot, so bring a hat, sunscreen and extra water. 

No RSVP needed, but you can contact Mary Beth Downes at mbcd...@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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Fall 2024 Champinefu Webinars Now on YouTube 

Recordings from the 2024 Champinefu Webinars are now available on YouTube with closed captioning. These talks celebrate indigenous customs, culture and stories from the perspective of local tribes and tribal members. Champinefu programs and presenters are chosen by the Cultural Resources Department of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.  

Cultivating Camas and Communities: YouTube Recording

Lower Columbia River Art and Placekeeping: YouTube Recording

This series is co-sponsored by the Marys Peak Group of the Sierra Club, the Spring Creek Project, the Corvallis-Benton County Library, the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, and the OSU School of Language, Culture & Society. Closed captioning is provided by the Corvallis-Benton County Library. 

The 9th annual Champinefu lecture series will return this fall.

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2023 Champinefu Lectures Available on YouTube

Willamette River: Ancestral Highway

This recording begins with a film by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde on the topic of canoe culture. It is followed by a panel discussion about the importance of canoe culture to the Grand Ronde and their relationship to the Willamette River. YouTube Recording

Fire is Life: Living in Relation with Indigenous Fire Practice of Western Oregon

Joe Scott (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), winner of the 2023 Indigenous Place Keeping Artist (IKPA) Fellowship, was the presenter. He discussed how he is connecting local indigenous people to the sacred fire resources and practices that have sustained people of this place through the seasonal round since Time Immemorial. YouTube Recording

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General Notes: 

1) Newcomers to MPG outing events, please view the GENERAL OUTING POLICY on our MPG website http://oregon2.sierraclub.org/marys-peak  before pre-registering for or attending an outing.

2) Contacting Marys Peak Group:  Marys Peak Group contact information is obtainable at  http://oregon2.sierraclub.org/marys-peak  Listed are the Executive Committee members and the Administrative and Program Coordinators.

3) Facebook: Marys Peak Group – Sierra Club is on Facebook.  Check out MPG’s Facebook page to view pictures of past hikes and events, and learn about upcoming opportunities.  Post pictures from hikes and outings you participate in! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marys-Peak-Group-Sierra-Club/159377960779

4) Minutes of the MPG Executive Committee can be viewed at the aforementioned website by clicking on the About Us/Ex Comm Meeting Minutes tab or by clicking on Jan 8 25 Minutes PDF for the minutes of the last meeting on January 8th, 2025.

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OSU Forestry Recreation Updates:

https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/recreation/forest-updates