52. Middle McKenzie River Trail

Summary

Length – 3 miles one way

Difficulty – Easy

Season – Early spring to autumn (often open in winter)

Elevation range –1,720 feet – 1,880 feet

Human imprint – High (close to highway in places; short stretch on a closed road; mountain bikers)

Information - Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Beautiful grove of classic low-elevation old growth on a streamside terrace.

Description

This short section of the McKenzie River Trail (3507) provides early access to two delightful riverside terraces hosting fine stands of Douglas-fir, western hemlock and western redcedar. The northern terrace in particular is an exemplar of classic westside old growth. The hike is presented starting at the southern trailhead (Frissell Boat Launch), but can be hiked from either direction. Start at the south end in the spirit of “saving the best for last”; start at the north end (Deer Creek Trailhead) if you want a shorter hike.

From Frissell Boat Launch the trail immediately enters the first terrace and continues on the terrace for the first mile. The trail is often close by the McKenzie River shoreline with lots of opportunities to see and hear the river. Unfortunately, the trail is also near Highway 126 so hikers can also see and hear highway traffic. The forest varies in stature and age, but big trees are always nearby and the upper end of the terrace supports a nice gathering of giants. Pacific yew, a slow-growing understory conifer, is relatively abundant in places near the trail.

After a brief sojourn on a closed forest road the trail reenters old forest. At first the trail is close to the road, but after crossing Frissell Creek sounds of the road fade away and a beautiful old-growth grove unfolds over the second riverside terrace. Huge Douglas-fir and western redcedar tower over a thick understory of western hemlock. The trail parallels a secondary channel of the river for a while, before switchbacking off the terrace up to the Deer Creek trailhead.

Roads along the western margin of this hike were used as containment lines to halt the Lookout Fire (2023) from advancing into these stands. The Lookout Fire severely damaged the nearby classic old growth in the upper Lookout Creek basin (hike #24), which may very well have been the outcome here without the fire suppression work.

25 years of change

Not included in earlier editions.

How to get there

Turn left (west) off the McKenzie Highway (State Route 126) to the Frissell Boat Launch (signed “Boat Ramp”) approximately 62 miles east of Eugene and 1 ½ miles north of Belknap Hot Springs. Cross the bridge and park on the right. To reach the Deer Creek Trailhead, turn west onto Deer Creek Road (FR 2654) off the McKenzie Highway another 2 ½ miles up the Highway, a little less than a ½ mile past MP 15. Cross the bridge in less than ¼ mile and park on the right.