Calendar

Past Activity

Castle Rock via King Castle TH

  • Start date: 10/20/2022

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 10/20/2022

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

This well-graded trail near McKenzie Bridge passes through a pleasant forest of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock on the way to the summit of Castle Rock. We will have lunch at a spot along the ridge that, weather permitting, has nice views of the McKenzie Valley, the Old Cascades, Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters. After lunch, those who are interested can continue a short distance to the site of the old lookout—now a cell phone relay installation. We will proceed at a steady pace and pause at trail intersections 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 substitute a hike at Mt. Pisgah. A stop at Takoda’s Restaurant after the hike is an option.

  • 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: 102

  • Season: 2022

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: The 10 essentials, clothing appropriate for the full range of fall weather, plenty of water, lunch and snacks.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 11.4

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 2600

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

It was the last truly dry day of fall and the air quality at McKenzie Bridge was much better than in Eugene-Springfield. Our small group made quick work of the six-mile, 2600 ft. hike up to our lunch spot on the ridge below the summit of Castle Rock. Despite hazy skies, we could see the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, the McKenzie Valley, and a heavy helicopter moving logs on the far ridge. After lunch, we completed the trip to the summit. The sign on the cell phone relay has lost another letter: Do Not Di tur. We appreciated the spiky seed pods of shrubby chinquapin and, descending the trail, the yellow-green leaves of vine maple glowing against the dark basalt of the looming Castle. We also noticed new growth in understory plants such as blue-green rattlesnake plantain, white-veined wintergreen, and pipsissewa. We met only two hikers and two cyclists on the trail. This was great day with good company and conversation. Welcome to Doug on his first Obsidians hike!

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 12
  • Number of spots available: 5
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Yoerger, Karen 541-510-2832 N —
2 Signed-Up Carpenter, Kathie 541-505-2370 N —
3 Signed-Up Temple, Mitch 541-868-7252 N —
4 Signed-Up Young, Tommy 941-780-4156 N —
5 Signed-Up Grant, Elizabeth 541-514-1176 N —
6 Signed-Up Meacham, Lynn 541-214-8827 N —
7 Signed-Up Daniell, Douglas 541-870-6664 N —