The Ponsler Way to Heceta Head
Who was Muriel O. Ponsler?
If you’re looking for a hike at the Oregon Coast, but don’t want to tramp the crowded trail to the Heceta Head lighthouse yet again, … Continue reading
Oregon Trails Archive
Wild Iris Ridge
Scenic link in a Eugene loop trail?
Wild irises bloom in summer on this ridge overlooking west Eugene. The wide gravel path climbs through meadows, partly beneath a powerline, to a water … Continue reading
North Umpqua Waterfalls
Two hikes that are fun with kids
A wildfire in 2020 destroyed the waterfall trails of the North Umpqua River, right? Well, no. The jungly 1.3-mile path to Wolf Creek Falls didn’t burn … Continue reading
Blackberry Time
Make jelly, syrup and wine
When life gives you lemons, of course you should make lemonade. But in Oregon, you’re much more likely to get blackberries. After years of fighting … Continue reading
What’s Left at Waldo?
Hike to The Twins and Bobby Lake
You’ve probably heard that the Waldo Lake area burned last fall. The Cedar Creek Fire smoldered through August, but then ripped around the shore of … Continue reading
Where the Wildflowers Are
Avoid the crowds at Iron Mountain with short hikes nearby
Starting on the Fourth of July weekend, thousands of wildflower lovers crowd the trail to Iron Mountain on South Santiam Highway 20. Don’t join them! … Continue reading
Forgotten Paths
Hike to a lookout and a glen with tall trees
With so many trails limited by fire damage or permits, it’s time to revive a few forgotten paths. Here are two that are close to … Continue reading
Fittingly Green
Hike to viewpoints on the ridgeline of Corvallis
The Corvallis skyline is a dreamland — not of skyscrapers, but of forested peaks. A hike to Fitton Green takes you to a viewpoint that … Continue reading
Nearby Old-Growth
A hike through ancient trees is closer than you thought
Quick, what’s the closest old-growth forest to Eugene? The Delta Old-Growth Grove on the McKenzie River? Nope — those trees burned in 2020, and they … Continue reading
Next-Level Snowshoeing
Trek around Clear Lake or up Potato Hill
So you’ve been snowshoeing once already? Perhaps you tried the easy loop I suggested last month to Gold Lake and the Marilyn Lakes. Now you’re … Continue reading