37. Upper North Fork - Constitution Grove

37. Upper North Fork - Constitution Grove

Summary

Length – 5 ½ miles one way

Difficulty – Moderate

Season – Late spring to autumn

Elevation range –2,500 feet – 2,950 feet

Human imprint – Moderate (old plantation; nearby roads; Constitution Grove signage)

Information - Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Beautiful western redcedar and Douglas-fir riparian old growth; notably large western redcedar and Pacific yew; unique old-growth grove dated to approximately the signing of the Constitution.

Description

The fifth and uppermost segment of the North Fork Trail (3666.5) travels through a moist and mossy riparian environment sporting impressive western redcedar, Douglas-fir, grand fir and Pacific yew throughout much of its length. Views of the North Fork of the Middle Fork are frequent, and riverside hardwoods add diversity to the hike. This trail segment can be accessed at either end, at Constitution Grove near the middle, and from the junction with the Box Canyon Trail about 1 ½ miles east of Constitution Grove. Start at either end to hike the entire segment; or start at Constitution Grove and head off in either direction for a shorter hike.

Both the western and eastern portions of the trail segment bisect beautiful floodplain groves of hefty western redcedar and Douglas-fir. A particularly impressive site less than a mile east of Constitution Grove shelters massive redcedars 6-8’ thick, including one reaching almost 10’ in diameter. Alongside these giants 5-7’ Douglas-firs seem routine. Perhaps most striking though are unusually large Pacific yew, a distinctive slow-growing understory tree. It is uncommon to see Pacific yew over 18” in diameter, but a couple chunky yews that reach over 3 feet thick grow by the trail in this area. Large and stately grand fir reaching over 4’ in diameter are also scattered throughout the hike.

Constitution Grove, a short ¼ mile loop established on the 200-year anniversary of the U.S. Constitution in 1987, lies near the center of the hike. This area was selected because the trees were close to 200 years in age at that time (slightly older actually), hence trees in the grove have not yet attained the great size characteristic of older forests in the area. In a federal twist, commemorative wooden plaques, each recognizing a signer of the Constitution, are attached to some of these old trees. Unfortunately, vandals have seen fit to remove the plaques commemorating some of the most famous signers.

25 years of change

The forest has seemingly changed little.

How to get there

Turn left onto the Westfir Highway off of Highway 58, approximately 37 miles southeast of Eugene. Turn left onto the Westfir-Oakridge Road after ½ mile. Continue straight through the Westfir junction becoming FR 19 where it enters the national forest. Turn right onto FR 1944 approximately 27 miles from Westfir. The trail is on the left just before the bridge and trailhead parking is just after crossing the bridge. Constitution Grove is another three miles up FR 19 by the MP 27 marker.