Past Activity

Thurston Hills

Start date: 10/06/2018
Start time: 12:00 AM
End date: 10/06/2018
End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Weather update from Brad who canceled: "Scott Lake weather, 90% rain this morning tapering down to 60% this afternoon, high of 44. I'm thinking zero visibility." We will drive up the McKenzie Highway to take FS Road 260, a 1.5 mile gravel road, to the trailhead. It is about a two hour drive. There is almost a 360 degree panoramic view from the summit. We could decide instead to take the loop hike to Hand Lake adding a few more miles. Moderate pace. UPDATE: If rain is an issue when we meet, our alternative will be to hike in the Thurston Hills area walking south from Albertsons to the Weyerhauser Haul Road, Spine Trail, and more. If you have questions, email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net Drivers will need a Recreation Pass.

Event Leader: Janet Jacobsen
Event Leader Phone: 541-206-1251
Event Leader Email: jbjacobsen@comcast.net
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Mountain
Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield
Rating: Moderate
Roundtrip total drive miles: 131
Season: 2018
Permits Required:
- Wilderness Area
- NW Forest Pass
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Lunch, layered clothing appropriate for weather conditions. Water.
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 8
Member Fees: 1
Elevation Gain: 1000
Non-Member Fees: 5
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

A 90% chance of rain at Scott Mountain prompted us to change the destination to a Thurston Hills loop walk that began at our parked cars at 57th and Main. Heading south on the Bob Straub Parkway to the Thurston Hills Multi-use path (Weyerhaeuser haul road), we soon connected to a gravel road that we followed uphill for 2.1 miles to a well marked intersection. Thanks to Denise Bean's recent Thurston Hills hike and Dorene's previous scouting, three of us knew the way (most of the time) through the forested hilly and rocky community trails to the Forest Ridge Drive viewpoint below Potato Hill. We then walked down Forest Ridge Drive to Mountain Gate Drive where we took an obscure woodsy trail that dropped us out above Rob Adams Park. From there it was an easy return. The trip took 3 ½ hours not including the time we faffed and also welcomed new member, Jim Dinn.