Calendar

Past Activity

Finley: Snag Boat Bend Loop

  • Start date: 09/22/2023

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 09/22/2023

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Snag Boat Bend is a seperate unit of the much larger William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge located a few miles west. A centerpiece of ths property is an old meander of the Willamette River, an oxbow lake. Our 3-4 mile hike will make a loosely-shaped figure eight. During our return, if possible, we will cross a low causeway across Lake Creek back to the main trail. This can only be done during the driest times of the year.

There are reports of herons, osprey, warblers, and beaver in the area. Look for blackberry, cottonwood, alder, ash, and big-leaf maple. This hike is exploratory for the trip leader.

Meet at the Jerry's Home Improvement Center parking lot (2600 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402) on the northeast side of the main parking area (close to where Theona Dr. meets Hwy 99). We will carpool from there. Our driving route will be 99N > Junction City > 99E through Harrisburg > N on Peoria Road to the Snag Boat Bend parking area. The drive to Snag Boat Bend will require about half an hour. We will visit the 'Country Bakery' on our drive up. Bring your lunch and dress for the weather. We should be returning to the Jerry’s parking area between 2 &3 pm.

  • Event Leader: Hougardy Mark

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type:

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Easy

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 50

  • Season: 2023

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required:

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 3.2

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 40

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Snag Boat Bend is the eastern unit of the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge. The centerpiece of the property is an old meander of the Willamette River that connects with Lake Creek. On our walk we saw four River Otters, herons, egrets, one turkey, several kingfishers, numerous skeletal fish scattered on the bank which are believed to be carp, a number of ducks, signs of beaver, and a large burrow in the bank located near the water level. We were the only people on the trail during our 2.5 hour walk. Separately, we made a visit to the Mennonite Bakery that was in the area and returned home with some delicious snacks.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 8
  • Number of spots available: 5
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Hougardy, Mark 541-206-9532 N —
2 Signed-Up van Winkle, Dorothy 541-485-7416 N —
3 Signed-Up Hackett, Jane 541-953-7046 N —