Past Activity

Indigo and Chuckle Springs

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Start date: 07/14/2025
Start time: 7:30 AM

Description:

Mosquitoes may be hungry, so prepare accordingly. Indigo and Chuckle Springs are located along the upper portion of the Middle Fork Willamette Trail near the headwaters. We will stop at Indigo Springs and take a short walk to see the springs boiling out of the fern covered hillside, then drive upstream to the Chuckle Springs Trailhead and walk to this spring near the Middle Fork. At this point we'll hike upstream about a mile to a stretch that overlooks a roaring narrow canyon, retrace our steps and hike downstream past lovely stretches and a stretch of rebuilt trail. Lunch will happen somewhere, then back upstream to our side trail back to the cars. Paved road all the way with a few potholes. Round trip driving is 142 miles, $15.60 suggested for drivers. The route is highway 58 past Oakridge, right on road 21 past Hills Creek Lake. Indigo Springs is near milemarker 28, our first stop. The Scorpions volunteer trail work crew spent many weeks rerouting a section of the trail, which I participated in. I will gladly show off the work accomplished. The Middle Fork has numerous campgrounds and trailheads. This will be a pleasant place to spend a day.

Photo by: Holger Krentz

Event Leader: Jean Harris
Event Leader Phone: 541-953-0268
Event Leader Email: jeanmarieharr@gmail.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Mountain
Departure Location: Lane Community College, parking lot nearest stoplight
Rating: Easy
Roundtrip total drive miles: 142
Season: 2025
Permits Required:
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required:
participant prerequisites: Able to hike 7 miles, have food, water, and appropriate layers.
Conditions:
Total Distance: 7 miles
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Non-Member Fees: 8
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The mosquitoes were minimal, sun bright, river flowing, and springs gurgling. Seeing water bubble and flow out of fern and moss covered hillsides is the ultimate in nature providing peace and joy. This section of the Middle Fork Willamette Trail has beautiful timber, rustic bridges and rocky basalt lava flow to hike along. Our feet were frozen quickly when placed in Chuckle Springs during lunch. A stretch of trail downstream from the Indigo Springs entry point has recently had major improvements to move the trail away from the approaching river and to have 3 bridges cross wet areas safely. Thank you to our friends who volunteer for the Scorpions group of Cascade Volunteers. This area is brimming with opportunities to get outside.

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