Past Activity

Millrace//Dorris Ranch Loop

Start date: 01/21/2017
Start time: 12:00 AM
End date: 01/21/2017
End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

DIRECTIONS: Meeting place for this hike is the Booth-Kelly trailhead at the southeast end of 5th St. in Springfield (Take Pioneer Parkway south to downtown; turn left on South A Street. Go east to 5th St. and turn right on 5th. Cross railroad tracks. Turn left (east) at T intersection (B St.) and follow pavement to new, large parking lot. Look for new Millrace trailhead.

This is the inaugural Obsidian hike for this new section of bike/walking path that opens Jan. 19! The new path follows the old, historic Springfield Millrace until it connects with the Clearwater/Dorris Ranch bike path. We will connect with that to make an 8 mile loop. This walk includes a section along the 2nd street sidewalk for part of the loop.

Event Leader: Kathy Randall
Event Leader Phone: 541-844-5916
Event Leader Email: katran23@comcast.net
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Urban
Departure Location: See Trip Description
Rating: Moderate
Roundtrip total drive miles:
Season: 2017
Permits Required:
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Bring snacks, water, rain gear and good walking shoes for paved paths. Some in group plan to go to Planktown for lunch afterwards. If interested, bring $ for lunch.
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 7
Member Fees: 1
Elevation Gain: 100
Non-Member Fees: 2
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The group all agreed that the new Springfield Millrace bike path is a worthy addition to Springfield's path system. We saw more evidence of wildlife than I expected, including several different interesting species of ducks. The millrace is an interesting mix of creek, ponds and marshes. We were treated to numerous rain showers topped off with a rainbow as we crested the hill heading back into Springfield.