Calendar

Past Activity

Castle Rock via King Castle Trail

  • Start date: 06/30/2022

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/30/2022

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

6/27 update: The trail is in very good condition and there are many nice wildflowers. With cooler temperatures on the way, this should be a great hike.
This trail climbs to the site of an old lookout (now replaced by a cell phone relay) with a nice view of the McKenzie Valley, the Old Cascades, Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters. The well-graded trail (11.4 mi RT, 2600 ft. gain) passes through a pleasant forest of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock. After 4 miles, the trail crosses a road, then switchbacks another 1.7 miles up a forested slope to the ridgetop. Weather permitting, we will have lunch at a spot along the ridge that has good views east to the mountains. After lunch, we can continue the short distance up to the summit to see the cell phone relay and the views of the McKenzie Valley to the west. We will proceed at a steady, relaxed pace and pause periodically to keep the group together. Notes: Mountain bikers may be sharing the trail. There are no restrooms at the trailhead. If poor weather is forecast, I may reschedule. A stop at Takoda’s Restaurant is an option after the hike.

  • Event Leader: Yoerger Karen

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 85

  • Season: 2022

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: sturdy shoes, layered clothing appropriate to changes in weather and elevation, plenty of water, lunch and snacks, hiking poles if you use them

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 11.4

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 2600

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Six of us set out from the King Castle Trailhead near McKenzie Bridge, three of whom had not previously been to Castle Rock. We appreciated the plank bridges built over the lower marshy area (Thank you, Cascade Volunteers Scorpion Crew!). The 11.4 mile trail (one hiker measured it at 12.0) is well-graded and in excellent condition, partly because of frequent use by mountain bikers. We were passed by a half dozen of them coming and going. All were very friendly and considerate. Along the trail we passed interesting forest plants (candystick, fringed pinesap, coralroot, wild ginger, rattlesnake plantain, white-veined wintergreen, phantom orchid) and wildflowers (washington lily, starflower, anemone, pipsissewa). At the rocky summit we were greeted by a profusion of cat’s ear, bluefield gilia, ookow and sedum. Just too many flowers to name. We stopped for lunch in perfect conditions at a spot below the summit with a good view of the Three Sisters and Mt. Washington. After lunch some of us continued the short distance up to the true summit before heading back down to the cars. It was a great hike with an enjoyable group!

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 12
  • Number of spots available: 3
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Yoerger, Karen 541-510-2832 N 1
2 Signed-Up Carpenter, Kathie 541-505-2370 N 1
3 Signed-Up Leng, Jane 541-232-3239 N 1
4 Signed-Up Jacobsen, Janet 541-206-1251 N 1
5 Signed-Up Rubenstein, Denise 248-514-5092 N 1
6 Signed-Up Leng, Jane 541-232-3239 N 1
7 Signed-Up Chan, Annie 541-223-2018 N 1
8 Signed-Up Cuevas, Lorraine 509-904-5222 N 1
9 Signed-Up Leng, Jane 541-232-3239 N 1