The Peak View Newsletter September 22nd, 2025

[Rose Young]

The Peak View

Marys Peak Group - Sierra Club

P.O Box 863, Corvallis, OR 97339

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

September 22nd, 2025

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Hikes: 

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New! Saturday, October 4th, 2025

10:00am – 3:00pm (9:00am – 3:45pm from Corvallis)

Mary’s Peak East Ridge Trail

Distance: 6.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,570 feet

Difficulty: Moderate-to-Difficult

Registration required! The group is limited to 12 participants. To sign up for this hike and obtain further details, contact outing leader, Sheryl Thorburn, at thorbu...@comcast.net.

 

This lollipop hike is a great way to experience Mary’s Peak: forest with big trees and bright green foliage, meadows, and views of the valley filtered through the trees and from the top of Mary’s Peak. We will start the hike at the Connor's Camp Trailhead parking area. We will follow East Ridge Trail to Tie Trail, to North Ridge Trail, to the picnic tables along the side of the parking lot. This first portion of the hike is a generally steady uphill. If available, we will stop at the picnic tables for lunch and to enjoy the views. We will then continue uphill on USFS 3010 Rd. (gravel), going around the large meadow adjacent to the parking area. Next, we will turn right onto Summit Loop Trail and take it to US 3010 Rd., circling the peak. We will then continue on the road in the direction of the parking area until we turn right on Summit Loop Trail, which we will follow until it meets East Ridge Trail. We will turn right on East Ridge Trail and follow it back to the Connor's Camp parking area.

 

We will keep an average pace of 30-35 minutes per mile. AllTrails rates this trail as moderate. I rated the hike as moderate-to-difficult because of the distance and because some sections of the trail are steep, in some places the footing is tricky, and a few sections of the trail are rocky. Trekking poles are recommended. Wear hiking shoes or boots. As expected, the weather can be variable, so be sure to bring appropriate clothing layers and sun protection. Some sections of the trail are narrow and have overgrown vegetation, so I recommend wearing long pants. Bring water and lunch. The Connor's Camp parking area has a restroom and space for about 20 cars. It is 35-40 minutes from Corvallis. I will send additional details, directions to the trailhead, and information about potential carpool options to participants before the hike.

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Events: 

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The Future of Indigenous Foods in the Kalapuya Ilihi

October 8th, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Live at the PRAx (Patricia Valian Reser Performance Art Center, OSU campus)
470 SW 15th Street, Corvallis

Free. No pre-registration. First come - first seated.
Join David Harrelson, Cultural Resources Department Manager for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, for an overview of recent indigenous foods efforts within the Kalapuya Ilihi – a.k.a. Willamette Valley. His talk will be followed by a conversation with a panel of local Indigenous food activists who are contributing to the native food sovereignty movement. This live presentation will kick off the 2025 Champinefu Lecture Series which will focus on local indigenous food. The talk marks the 9th season of the lectures.

Co-sponsors:
• Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Cultural Resources Department
• Marys Peak Group Sierra Club
• Spring Creek Project
• Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
• Corvallis Sustainability Coalition
• OSU School of Language, Culture and Society

Event website: https://prax.oregonstate.edu/events/champinefu-series-future-indigenous-food-kalapuya-ilihi

For further information about the Champinefu Lecture Series, contact Dave Eckert at dec...@willametewatershed.com

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Announcements: 

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Executive Committee Elections Coming This Fall

It's almost fall, and that means it's time for MPG to think about the annual election of members to our Executive Committee (ExCom). The ExCom determines and manages group policies, finances, and
activities. It also provides communication and working relationships between the state chapter, national headquarters, and MPG members. Meetings are currently held on Zoom once a quarter. Some discussions and decisions are made via email. Members serve for two years. Any member in good standing in Marys Peak Group Sierra Club is eligible to submit their name to the Nominations Committee. You don't have to be a hiker to be on the ExCom.

The deadline to apply is Sept 29th. Contact the Nominations Committee at: MarysPe...@Oregon.Sierraclub.org
If you love the activities that MPG provides, consider joining the ExCom.
Details on how to vote will be posted in a future issue of The Peak View. The annual elections are required by MPG bylaws.

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Recordings of Spring 2025 Webinars Are Now Available

String of Pearls: The Magical River Parks of Corvallis was the theme of the 2025 Liz and Bob Frenkel Hiking and Environment Spring Webinar Series. Closed captioned recordings of two of the talks are now available on the Corvallis-Benton County Library YouTube channel. The talks provided the historical background, park ecology, and current user opportunities for the City parks along the Willamette River and the Marys River near Corvallis. 

Webinar #1: The South Corvallis Willamette River Parks with Gwendolyn Ellen includes Willamette Park and Kendall Natural Area.

The South Corvallis Willamette River Parks

Webinar #2: The Marys River Parks with Dave Eckert includes Herbert Natural Area, Caldwell Natural Area, Marys River Natural Area, Avery Park and Natural Area, Pioneer Park, BMX Park and Shawala Point. 

The Marys River Parks

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

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Fall 2024 Champinefu Webinars Available 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. 

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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 June Minutes for the minutes of the last meeting on June 18th, 2025.

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OSU Forestry Recreation Updates:

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