Trip Report

On this blustery and wet morning, we had the rare opportunity to hike on this ridge accompanied by five others: member Tom Happy; his wife Jane; their son and junior member Eamon; John Winquist, an active supporter of the Ridgeline Trail; and The Nature Conservancy’s Jeff Rosier who is the Willamette Valley Land Steward with TNC’s Eugene’s office. Tom Happy had made all the arrangements, gaining special permission for our hike from land owner, Jon Jaqua. Understanding that Obsidians used to practice climbing on nearby rock formations and that long-time member Gary Kirk led hikes here made the morning all the more significant. We hiked to the highest point on the 1,200 acres of this McKenzie River property while hearing about this ancient land and rolling prairie, once home to the Kalapuya. They used fire to clear the land and to manage it for purposes of plant cultivation, hunting and gathering. Now efforts continue by TNC to rid the grasslands and oak woodlands of introduced species. Natives like Kincaid’s lupine (at this time of year, Kathie C. spied the lone, young one on the slope!) flourish in spots on the preserve, the lupine being an important host plant for the larvae of the Fender’s blue butterfly. No wildlife was observed except for their scat, seemingly of much interest to the group as we stood putting on our rain gear. This visit allowed us to see the critical protection and preservation efforts of The Nature Conservancy on the Jaquas’ permanent conservation easement, a golden opportunity on a gray day for a bright habitat future.