The Peak View Newsletter June 9th, 2025

[Rose Young]

The Peak View

Marys Peak Group - Sierra Club

P.O Box 863, Corvallis, OR 97339

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

June 9th, 2025

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Hikes:

This Week! Thursday, June 12th

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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New! This Week! Saturday, June 14th 

Vineyard Mountain and Dave’s Trail hike, OSU
McDonald Research Forest 
10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.2-mile loop
Elevation gain: About 500 feet
Registration required! Group limited to 12 people. Contact the outing leader to reserve a spot and obtain further details. Leader: Randy Rasmussen, quietre...@gmail.com

This forested and largely shaded hike starts at the Lewisburg Saddle, where we’ll ascend the three segments of the Vineyard Mountain Trail to just below the “antennas.” From there, we’ll slowly descend Upper Vineyard Mountain Trail to join up with the first (Upper) segment of Dave’s Trail, at the intersection of the Nettleton (500) Road. We’ll wind along, then down, a peaceful ridge with brief views of the Willamette Valley, to Dave’s Trail that parallels the 500 Road. Crossing the road, we’ll weave further down along the enjoyable Lower Dave’s Trail to arrive at the Davies (580) Road.
From the 580 Road, we can decide whether the group is up for hiking the remaining (fourth) segment of Dave’s Trail, whether we return the way we came, or whether we walk back to the Saddle via the 580 Road (taking in the Old Growth and New Growth trails along the way back to the trailhead). 

Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, including comfortable and sturdy shoes with traction. Bring water and a snack or lunch. Trekking poles are optional but could be useful on our descents. Our pace will be moderate with frequent stops. Contact the trip leader for meeting time and location logistics.

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New! Wednesday, June 25th

Beazell Memorial Forest

Benton County 

9:00am – 12:00pm

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: about 4.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 810 feet

Pace: about 2 miles per hour

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 is primarily an out-and-back hike. From the Beazell Memorial Forest parking area, we will take Plunkett Creek Loop to South Ridge trail to South Meadow Loop. After completing South Meadow Loop, we will return via South Ridge trail and Plunkett Creek Loop. (By taking this route, we avoid the descent along South Ridge Trail, which is a very rocky road and can be hard to walk on.) We will follow Plunkett Creek Loop along the creek before reaching the switchbacks on South Ridge trail. Until South Meadow Loop, the trail is a steady incline. Once we complete the loop, the remainder of the hike is downhill, back to the parking area. 

The majority of this hike is shaded with mossy trees, ferns, and wildflowers; it includes multiple wide, wooden bridges over the creek. The route is mostly single-width dirt trail, combined with some short stretches on dirt or gravel road. In a few places, plants are overgrowing the trail, and there is at least one spot where you have to step over a downed tree. We will stop on South Meadow Loop for a water and snack break. Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Hiking poles may be helpful.  

 

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 closer to the date of the hike.

 

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New! Saturday, July 5th

Browder Ridge hike

Willamette National Forest 
8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult 
Distance: About 4 miles up and back
Elevation gain: 1,180 feet
Registration required! Group limited to 12 people. Contact the outing leader to reserve a spot and obtain further details. Leader: Randy Rasmussen, quietre...@gmail.com

Join this steep and largely exposed hike in the Old Cascades near Tombstone Pass. We’ll wind through some old-growth and mature true fir forest, then ascend a series of switchbacks through bracken fern to arrive at a series of alpine meadows and rocky outcrops. We will be rewarded with views of Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, and the Three Sisters. This should be the peak of the wildflowers season and we can expect far fewer visitors on the trail than those on the nearby Iron Mountain Trail. 

Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, including possible afternoon thunder showers. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes with traction. Bring water and a snack or lunch. Trekking poles are suggested. Our pace will be modest with frequent stops.

We’ll carpool the 1.5-hour drive to the trailhead from Corvallis. The outing leader will provide information about where to meet and directions to the trailhead.

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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