The Peak View Newsletter August 11th, 2025

[Rose Young]

The Peak View

Marys Peak Group - Sierra Club

P.O Box 863, Corvallis, OR 97339

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

August 11th, 2025

Hikes: 

******

This Week! Wednesday, August 13, 2025
9:00am – 11:00am
Plunkett Creek and Beazell Bird Loops
Beazell Memorial Forest
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pace: Leisurely
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

Join this hike for a break from the sun and warm temperatures! From the Beazell Memorial Forest parking area, we will take a gravel path to a wooden footbridge crossing the creek. We will then complete Plunkett Creek Loop (1.8 miles, 282 ft. elevation gain). This trail is shaded with beautiful scenery. It starts with a wide, steady uphill path. After about a half mile, the trail comes to a junction; we will take the narrow path to the right and walk along the stream for about four-tenths of a mile. The trail then loops up and to the left, rejoining the wide path we started on; from this point, we will take the trail downhill towards the parking area. Once we
finish this loop, we will complete Beazell Bird Loop (1.2 mile, 108 ft. elevation gain). This trail is less densely wooded than the Plunkett Creek trail. 

These trails are mostly dirt/gravel. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. We will not plan to take a long break during the hike, but the grass area by the parking lot could be a good spot to enjoy a water/snack break, etc. after the hike, for those interested.

Beazell Memorial Forest is about 20 minutes from Corvallis. There are several parking spaces and a restroom at the parking lot. I will send additional details and information about potential carpool options to participants a few days before the hike.

******

Announcements:

******

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.

******

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. 

******

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.

******
OSU Forestry Recreation Updates:

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