Calendar

Past Activity

Cummins Creek Wilderness

  • Start date: 12/29/2016

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 12/29/2016

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

This is a nice out and back high moderate hike in one of three wildernesses created in 1984 (the other two being Drift Creek and Rock Creek). This has the last old growth Sitka Spruce forest remaining. We will drive to about 2 miles south of Cape Perpetua then go uphill to the trailhead. We start on an old logging road that is gradually being reclaimed and then take the trail almost to Cummings Mountain, where we will have lunch. The net elevation gain is 1300’, but there is 400 feet that are climbed twice. It’s a nice hike, and we will do it at a moderately brisk pace due to the short days this time of year. Be prepared for wet and even windy conditions, although there is quite a bit of shelter. I did it alone last year and saw two separate herds of Elk.

  • Event Leader: Mike Smith

  • Event Leader Phone: 520-488-9569

  • Event Leader Email: mssq@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Coastal

  • Departure Location: Eugene Target, W11th, parking lot closest to W11th

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 156

  • Season: 2017

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: 10 essentials. Be sure to have good rain gear, a windbreaker, warm hat and gloves, maybe two pair, in case the first pair gets wet. Sometimes there is brush that is wet, so gaiters are often useful.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 11.6

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1700

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

I learned that for folks in Yachats, two of whom were guests on our trip, Rachelle for her second Obsidian trip, this should be called Cummins RIDGE. The other one is Cummins Creek (loop). Anyway, we left at 0945 without Rachelle, and Darian had a great 3.1 mph pace for about 5 miles. At about 4.5 miles, Rachelle, who thought the hike was starting from Cape Perpetua, caught up, ostensibly not running at all. Now with 7, we got to the road at the far end and had lunch. The trip back was not quite as fast, and we had time for a few pictures and to enjoy the warm, sunny, dry late December day on the coast. It was a pleasant day in the woods. This hike is not particularly scenic, but for solitude, it can't be beat. I've never met anybody else out in the middle of the trail, and James, who has hiked this before, said the same thing.