Who doesn’t love hiking and a chance to explore the incredible scenery of our fair state?
Little Santiam waterfalls
FSH@O invites you, your family, and your friendly furry friends to explore the wonder of Oregon’s natural beauty Sunday, June 12th with an easy, 6 mile hike around Opal Creek. Hiking starts at 10am–though I’d recommend arriving early for better parking options. 🙂
Opal Pool
The important details:
Who: You, your friends and family, and your friendly furry family (the trail is dog friendly)!
What: Hiking the Opal Creek trail to Opal Pool. A round trip of 6 mostly flat miles of trail.
When: June 12th, meeting at the trailhead at 10am. We expect the hike to take about 3-4 hours with pictures, stopping to take in the sites, and lunch.
Getting there: You’ll find driving directions no matter where you’re coming from on this website. Drivers will need a NW Forest Pass or to pay $5 on site
Carpooling: We also encourage carpooling! Please fill out this Google Sheet if you have room in your car or if you’re looking for a ride.
Packing: Here’s what to bring!
- Good shoes for hiking
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Plenty of water
- Sunscreen
- A camera
- A swimsuit and towel for the bold! The water is a bit chilly, but awesome.
We’re planning on exploring Jawbone Flats and Opal Pool. Jawbone flats is an old abandoned mining town, and there are old mines and treasures to find along the trails.
Jawbone Flats
Please contact Erica Curry if you have any questions!
Depending on the turnout of this hike, we’re hoping to do more of these in the future! Do you have suggestions of where we should explore, and what we should show off to any new Oregonians? Leave your suggestions for future hikes and outings in the comments!
Cape Perpetua near Yachats, with some exploration of Thor’s well and Devil’s Churn, which is incredible.
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/travel/outdoors/2014/05/22/top-best-easy-hikes-cape-perpetua-yachats/9432691/
Hello all! This is a wonderful hike with some breathtaking (read: cold) swimming holes, pools, and natural rock slides. The hike is easy and you can re-charge with the occasional Salmon Berries that you find along the trail. If you live in the South of Jefferson area, I’ve got some directions that will save you from driving into Salem and then out.
From I-5 @ Albany.
Take Exit 238
Turn Left onto Jefferson Hwy (at the end of the off-ramp)
Go through one stoplight
Turn Right onto E.North / Marion Rd. SE (right by Jefferson Elementary)
Turn Right onto Stayton Rd. SE (Yellow Store on the right hand side)
Turn Right onto W. Ida St. (towards the fire station) NOTE: This is an odd intersection, pay close attention!
Turn left at the 4-way onto First Ave.
Go through 3 stop lights, then turn right onto Hwy 22 (you will have gone down a hill and past an Arco Station. *If you aren’t close to full on gas, I would suggest doing so now.
Follow the remaining direction as found on the Opal Creek site:
Turn left/north at the second flashing yellow light onto North Fork Rd. On the right-hand side of Hwy. 22 you will see the North Fork Crossing Restaurant. The Opal Creek trailhead is at the very end of this road, approximately 20 miles and 1 hour of driving time.
After 14 miles of pavement you will enter the Willamette National Forest where the road turns to gravel. You are now on Forest Road 2209.
After 1.5 -2 miles you will see a turn-off on the right towards Three Pools/Shady Cove. Stay to the left on Forest Road 2209.
Continue another 4 miles to the Opal Creek/Jawbone Flats parking area and trailhead.
Enjoy your drive and stay safe!
Other ideas around the area since I unfortunately can’t go to this one due to a family wedding 🙁
Silver Creek Falls – Trail of Ten Falls (7.2 miles)- good portion of the day *Pets not allowed on this trail.
Shelburg Falls – Short and sweet 3-6 mile hike depending on your choice of route.
McDowell Creek Falls – approx 3 miles with a good leg workout. http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/McDowell_Creek_Falls_Loop_Hike
Mt. Jefferson/Jefferson Park – http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/oregon-stories/majestic-mount-jefferson-and-magical-jefferson-park/
This is a great idea! I would be interested in more local hikes as well like at Peavy Arboretum, Finley Wildlife, McDonald Forest, etc.