Past Activity

Metolius Preserve

  • Start date: 10/14/2024

  • Start time: 8:00 AM

Description:

On the east side of the Cascades the Deschutes Land Trust is working to conserve lands in central Oregon. This outing will take us on trails through an area they care for that is particularly beautiful in the fall. There are up to 10 miles of easy trails consisting of a number of loops. We plan to be quite flexible with the routes we take. This event has been scheduled to hopefully take advantage of the fall colors. The larches are beautiful in the fall. A few more driving miles could take us to Camp Sherman for refreshments and the always beautiful Metolius River. The suggested voluntary tip to your driver is $20.90

Photo by: Holger Krentz

  • Event Leader: David Cooper

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-868-5427

  • Event Leader Email: dwcoop@yahoo.com

  • Assistant Leader: Carla Cooper

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Mixed

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 190

  • Season: 2024

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Weather appropriate clothing in layers, water, snacks

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 8

  • Member Fees:

  • Elevation Gain: 150

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees:

Trip Report

We had a very pleasant day walking the trails in the preserve. Although the colors of the larch trees weren\'t as bright as the leaders had hoped, the easy trails, fall colors, and variety of trees was interesting. A bonus of this trip was getting acquainted with three newish members. After the hike some people wanted to visit the fish hatchery on the Metolius. Once we were back to paved roads at Camp Sherman the trip was officially over and the group split up. Then things got interesting. The one car that headed home first was stopped at the 126/242 junction and told by a flagman that a major wreck near Vida had closed the route to Eugene for several hours. Messages were sent to the other cars so they could head straight down Highway 20 and not have to backtrack. We all arrived back in Springfield within minutes of each other. Despite the unexpected route change, it was a fun trip and worth the long drive.