56. South Willamette Trail

Summary

Length – 2 miles one way, can be extended

Difficulty – Easy

Season – Year-round

Elevation range – 960 feet to 1,300 feet

Human imprint – High (Highway 58 traffic noise, regular mountain bike use)

Information - Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Easily accessible, year-round old forest; scattered very large Douglas-fir.

Description

If you’re looking for a pleasant and short low-elevation hike in old forest, this segment of the South Willamette Trail fills the niche. The trailhead is readily accessible (approximately 40 minutes southeast of Eugene), and is usually open year-round. Trail use by hikers is light, though mountain bikers regularly use the trail as part of a larger loop with the Hardesty Mountain Trail. The trail parallels Highway 58 and is within earshot of vehicle traffic much of the time.

The forest is comprised primarily of 150-200-year-old Douglas-fir that regenerated following 19th century fires. Older fire-scorched giants are clustered in and nearby the riparian hollows, some reaching impressive dimensions (5-6’). These older trees (approximately 500 years old) usually exhibit deeply furrowed, fire scorched bark, and have thick, craggy branches low down on the tree trunk. These clues point to the older cohort of trees having survived a severe fire and spent several decades in open, post-fire conditions.

Head southwest on the Eula Ridge Trail, cross South Creek, and curve north around the toe slope quickly coming to a junction with the South Willamette Trail (3465.) Turn right and continue to the north, quickly reaching North Creek and the first patch of older trees. Bigleaf maple and western redcedar join the forest in this beautiful riparian glade.

Continue north across another toe slope and drop down to cross Harper Creek. A larger patch of attractive old growth fills the valley. The old forest lasts for 1/3 of a mile or so north of the creek until the trail turns uphill to the west into younger forest. This transition marks a logical stopping point, though the trail continues to the northwest through younger forest for several miles, first crossing the Crale Creek Road (FR 5835) and then ending at the Hardesty Mountain Trail.

25 years of change

Although not included in earlier editions of “50 Old-Growth Hikes in the Willamette National Forest”, the forest is noticeably developing more old-growth characteristics with time (bigger trees and dead wood, more structurally diverse canopy and understory.)

How to get there

Turn right (south) into a small roadside parking area (marked with a ‘Hiker’ sign) off of Highway 58 almost 30 miles southeast of Eugene (approximately 3 ¼ miles southeast of the large Hardesty Trailhead parking area).