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10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Distance: 2.85-mile loop (with optional and accessible 0.9-mile flat loop addition)
Elevation gain: 885 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pace: Slow
Registration required! Contact the outing leader to reserve a spot and obtain further details. Leader: Randy Rasmussen, quietre...@gmail.com
Group limit: 20
Our stroll starts at the old barn (now a lovely education and events center), located east of the main parking lot of Benton County’s Beazell Memorial Forest. There is a restroom at the parking lot. The main hike is not wheelchair accessible, but the optional flat loop hike is and is notable for birdwatching (Bird Loop Trail).
We’ll start along the long wooden bridge spanning Plunkett Creek and immediately enter into lush streamside woods. We’ll then follow a shaded roadbed that parallels the creek uphill, past a moss-covered gazebo, and then onto a single-track trail, which slowly gains elevation while crisscrossing the creek a few times along wide footbridges.
According to OregonHikers.org: "Here there are red alder, Pacific waterleaf, and wood fern. Spring brings the best wildflower viewing here, with meadowrue, bleeding heart, poison larkspur and three different trillium species in the understory. A few rare but spectacular Siskiyou false hellebore also grow here."
At a junction, the trail begins to climb further with several switchbacks. We’ll be sure to rest along the way. Once we approach the top of the forest’s South Ridge, we’ll be sure to take a side trail to view South Meadow spilling down the hillside. Back on the South Ridge Trail, we’ll descend via a few switchbacks to the base of South Meadow noting along the way some noteworthy “wolf” trees and evidence of the County’s meadow restoration efforts to protect habitat of the Fender’s blue butterfly. From there, we turn west and follow a roadbed through a sustainably managed, Douglas fir and big-leaf maple forest. In short order we’ll begin our somewhat steep descent on the road to a trail that brings us past the Plunkett family’s old cistern and back down to the barn/education center (note: both forks of the trail lead back to the barn). From there, the group can decide if we want to take the 0.9-mile Bird Loop Trail (after again crossing the long wooden bridge, then heading downstream).
Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. At this time of year rain gear may be necessary. The trail and dirt roads can be muddy, so you'll want to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes with traction. Bring water and a snack or lunch. Trekking poles are suggested if it's a muddy day. Our pace will be slow with frequent stops.
Typically, there is ample parking at Beazell. But let’s do our best to carpool by meeting at 9:30 am at the Bi-Mart parking lot (west end) at SW 53rd St./Philomath Hwy. It’s about a 20-minute drive to the trailhead from there.
Registration required! Contact the outing leader to reserve a spot and obtain further details. Leader: Robert White, rlw...@gmail.com
Silver Falls State Park is one of Oregon’s most well known places for a good hike. The North Rim Trail was recently completed and provides excellent views of the Falls, plus shorter hiking options. This hike is just under five miles with about 550 feet of elevation gain. The North Rim Trailhead is at the North Falls Day Use area. There is ample parking plus new restroom facilities.
We will descend to the Canyon Trail past Twin Falls. The route continues downstream to the Winter Falls bridge. We will cross the bridge and then ascend to the Rim Trail. During our scouting we were impressed with actually seeing water flowing over the Winter Falls. Once we reach the Rim Trail we will head towards North Falls Trailhead. We will continue to Upper North Falls for a nice view. At this point we reverse direction and head to the North Falls Trailhead. However we will take the new North Rim Trail from this point. The new trail is around a mile long and well done. Some may want to photograph North Falls from the new observation point. We then continue on to our starting point.
The 5 mile hike is rated as moderate. Trekking poles may be helpful for steep and narrow portions of the trail. Bring good boots or shoes, water, and a lunch. We will eat our lunch at an appropriate location.
The group is limited to 12 participants. We will meet at the North Rim Parking lot at 10:20 for a 10:30 departure. Travel time from Corvallis to the new parking lot is about 1.25 - 1.5 hours. The turnoff for the trailhead is 0.5 miles past the North Falls Trailhead. There is a daily parking fee of $5.00 per car if you do not have an annual pass. Daily passes may be purchased online or by the machine at the new carpark—credit cards only.
Announcements:
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2023 Champinefu Lectures are Now on YouTube
Closed-caption recordings on the first two Champineful Lectures are now available on YouTube.
Willamette River: Ancestral Highway
Fire is Life: Living in Relation with Indigenous Fire Practices of Western Oregon
Joe Scott (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), winner of the 2023 Indigenous Place Keeping Artist (IPKA) 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.
Each webinar presents a very different view of Kalapuya or indigenous placekeeping from the perspective of the Kalapuya. These webinars in ascending order will open the eyes to non-Kalapuya residents. Please take the opportunity to watch them and then share the links with your colleagues, friends and family members:
Shawala
Champinefu Webinar Series 2022: Shawala - Birthplace of William Hartless - YouTube
Kalapuya Seasonal Rounds and Their Removal from Corvallis
Champinefu Webinar Series 2022: The Kalapuya Seasonal Round at the Confluence - YouTube
Indigenous Placekeeping
Champinefu Webinar Series 2022: Indigenous Placekeeping in Corvallis and at the Confluence - YouTube