48. Chuckle Springs

Summary

Length – 2 ½ miles one way

Difficulty – Moderate

Season – Spring to autumn

Elevation range –2,640 feet – 3,110 feet

Human imprint – Minimal

Information - Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Riverside old growth, large western redcedars.

Description

The hillslopes near Chuckle Springs appear to have sprung a few leaks. Numerous gurgling springs and surging streams deliver copious quantities of water from a natural underground pipeline. Fortunately, a section of the Middle Fork National Recreation Trail passes through impressive riparian old growth below these springs. The trail also offers firsthand views of the Tumblebug Fire, which originated from a lightning outbreak in September 2009 triggering 25 small fires that grew together and burned nearly 15,000 acres before the fall rains came. Luckily, the fire ran out of energy near Chuckle Springs, dropped to the surface, and was extinguished.

From the FR 404 trailhead, drop downhill on the Chuckle Springs Trail (3614), arriving at charming Chuckle Springs in about 300 yards. The edge of the fire lies right at the springs leaving Chuckle Springs partially shaded and still a pleasant little alcove. Join the Middle Fork Trail (3609) in 30-40 yards and stay to the right heading sharply downhill. The trail continues tracing the margin of the fire where many trees survived and tree regeneration is thick. A sea of snags is visible across the river where the fire burned more intensely.

Continue downriver on the Middle Fork Trail leaving the fire behind and entering sterling riverside old growth. Impressive Douglas-fir and western redcedar mix with mossy maples amidst numerous fern glades, springs, seeps, and streams. Occasional river views and short cliffs frame the trail.

After a couple miles, a short spur to the right leads up to the FR 403 trailhead close to Indigo Springs for an alternative entrance point. Continue another half mile through old forest to a small spring under a cliff, marking a logical turnaround point. Consider stopping at Indigo Springs for another look at nature’s plumbing.

25 years of change

The old-growth forest in the first half-mile has been significantly altered by the Tumblebug Fire (2009) with few large trees left alive; the remainder of the forest has not significantly changed. The hike has been reconfigured as an out-and-back hike because the loop trail by Chuckle Springs was heavily impacted by the fire and has been abandoned.

How to get there

Turn right (south) onto the Kitson Springs County Road towards Hills Creek Dam less than 1 mile southeast of Oakridge, and turn right again a half mile later onto FR 21. From FR 21 south of Hills Creek Lake, turn right onto FR 404 less than a mile past Indigo Springs (about 30 miles from Highway 58). The trailhead is on the right a little more than a half mile down the road.