This Week!
Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
Lower Cascade Head Trail
Cascade Head Preserve, Otis, OR
10:00 am - 2:00 pm (8:00 am - 4:00 pm from Corvallis)
Difficulty: moderate to difficult
Elevation Gain: 1245 ft
Distance: 4.9 miles
Registration
required! The group is limited to 10 participants. To sign up for this
hike and obtain further details, contact outing leader, Sheryl Thorburn,
at thorbu...@comcast.net.
This
out-and-back trail passes through the Cascade Head Preserve, which is
owned and maintained by the Nature Conservancy, and Siuslaw National
Forest lands. The preserve includes rare plants, wildlife, and
grassland. The trail starts at the parking area for Lincoln County’s
Knight Park and passes through private land on easements. The first .25
mile of trail is near the road, crossing it in multiple places. Once the
trail leaves the road, it winds through a forest of Sitka spruce and
western hemlock and then through grassland to a lower viewpoint. The
trail then turns back away from the ocean and climbs to an upper
viewpoint. At this half-way point of the hike, we will have ascended
over 1200 feet. We will take a lunch break a short way back down the
trail from the upper viewpoint. Afterwards, we will return to the lower
viewpoint and continue back down the trail to our starting point. Unless
there is dense fog in the immediate area, the headland provides
breathtaking views of the ocean, coastline, and nearby areas.
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
two sections. First, during the first mile, the trail includes many
large tree roots and a series of over 100 steep steps. Second, although
the section from the lower to upper viewpoints includes switchbacks,
much of it is a steep incline and very narrow. Trekking poles are
recommended. Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots with good traction. As
expected, the weather can be variable, so be sure to bring appropriate
clothing layers and sun protection. The trail is almost entirely dirt
and single-width; grassland sections are narrow in places and may have
overgrown vegetation. Bring water and lunch. The trailhead at Knight
Park has parking. It is 1.5-2.0 hours from Corvallis. I will send
additional details and information about potential carpool options to
participants before the hike.
New! 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.
Summer Potluck and HikeWhen: 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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Spring 2023 Frenkel Lecture Series Available on Wetlands on YouTube
Reviving the Wetlands at Finley National Wildlife Refuge
A
high level of wetland restoration work has already established the
Finley Wildlife National Refuge as a significant wildlife refuge that
also attracts thousands of visitors each year. This webinar will show
you a mature restoration site and how you can best enjoy it. YouTube Recording
Reviving the Wetlands at Herbert Farm Natural Area
Herbert
Natural Area is a little visited, beautiful natural area in the middle
of a restoration process. Owned by the City of Corvallis and purchased
to be restored as a natural area, the Institute for Applied Ecology has
been managing the restoration process, assisted by the Confederated
Tribes of the Grand Ronde. YouTube Recording
Owens Farm/Jackson-Frazier Wetland Complex
This
webinar presents a bold plan to restore the entire wetland and make it
publicly accessible through a network of extensive trails. This will not
only open up a new wildlife refuge area, but it will open up a whole
new hiking experience in the region. 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:
