Activities
What is there to do?
Itinerary #1 Scenic drives, sight-seeing, access to hiking/skiing/snowshoeing. Start from Oakridge on highway 58.
Crater Lake National Park
Oregon’s only National Park is about 2 hours driving time (105 miles or 169 km) from Oakridge. An eruption of Mt. Mazama 7,700 years ago left nothing but a deep crater. Over hundreds of years, the crater filled with rain water and melted snow. At nearly 1,943 feet (600 m), it is the deepest lake in the United States. A 33-mile (53 km) bike ride, ski, hike or drive around the rim offers glimpses of the intensely blue-colored water which is created by the clarity and depth of the water. From July to September the Park Service offers boat tours. Outdoor enthusiasts find a large variety of summer hiking trails or winter sport possibilities in this outstanding national park.
Aufderheide Scenic Byway
From Oakridge, proceed west .5 mile to the Westfir Road, drive 3.5 miles to the Office Covered Bridge (longest covered bridge in Oregon), and the start of Road 19. There are restrooms, picnic tables, and parking here. The route is also known as Aufderheide Drive, named after a Willamette National Forest Ranger. The paved two lane road has few cars and lots of scenery for 58 miles (93km), intersecting with highway 126 at McKenzie Bridge. This route is popular among road cyclists, motorcycles, and people who simply love the back roads. At the US Forest Service offices in Westfir, 4 miles west of Oakridge, you may borrow a CD or tape with a narration of points of interest and the history of the area. Call the USFS to check on availability and hours of operation, 541.782.2283. This route offers access to hiking, fishing, and camping, the road is closed in winter due to snow around milepost 8.
Joe Goddard’s Grove & Lillian Falls &/or Waldo Lake
A magnificent stand of old growth fir and cedar trees lies approximately 21 miles northeast of Oakridge deep in the Willamette National Forest. Departing on First Street in front of the hostel, this road becomes Salmon Creek Road , FS Rd 24. Keep right at the fork at 11 miles and continue another 3.2 miles where the road becomes gravel, go straight on Rd 2421 for 7 miles to the trailhead at Rd 393 bridge. At the end of Rd 2421, about 1 mile past Rd 393, is an easy1.2 mile hike to Lillian Falls, and a more strenuous 3.8 mile hike to Waldo Lake, [mileage is one way].
Itinerary #2 Walking, family bike rides nature trails within 2 miles of the Oakridge Hostel. Start at the Hostel at the intersection of First and Walnut Streets.
Historic Walking Tour of Uptown Oakridge
Head east on First Street and discover the history of settlement by Europeans dating back to the 1860’s. A map created by a group of students and teachers at Oakridge High School provides a guide to what you see now, and what buildings used to stand in the old commercial district of Oakridge. Historic photos are on one side of the map along with a short story about each marked location. The Pioneer Museum is two blocks east of the hostel on Pine Street, the building is full of artifacts describing the history of this area. Stop at the Lion Mountain Bakery for lunch, coffee, ice cream, or pastries. Visit the Brewer’s Union Pub at the far end of the street for lunch, dinner, and/or refreshments, families are welcome.
Willamette Fish Hatchery
Walk, drive, or bike east on First St about 1 mile to the intersection with Fish Hatchery Rd, turn right and proceed ¼ mile. This beautifully landscaped spot is popular with local residents as well as visitors. There is a mini golf course, sheltered picnic tables, restrooms, a museum, and a live display of upland game birds. A nature trail winds through dense forest and joins another trail along Salmon Creek. There are viewing areas for all sizes of trout and salmon as well as ponds with sturgeon. For details visit their web site Willamette Fish Hatchery or call them at (541) 782-2933.
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Greenwaters Park
This waterfront park is a five minute bike ride or 20 minute walk from the hostel. Osprey, bald eagles, and many species of waterfowl are easy to spot at Greenwaters Park. Situated at the confluence of Salmon Creek and Middle Fork Willamette River and adjacent to highway 58, amenities include ample parking, restrooms, covered picnic areas, a playground, intersecting bike and hiking trails, a specimen garden, and a log cabin commemorating local pioneers. During the summer months there are free concerts in the amphitheater. A sturdy and wheelchair accessible bridge across the Middle Fork Willamette leads to a 1.1 mile nature trail with no significant elevation gain/loss.
Itinerary #3 Mountain Biking Starting from the hostel, three rides we like are: Salmon Creek North Side, Salmon Creek South Side, and the Eugene to Crest Trail – Aubrey Mountain Segment. All three rides start by heading east on First Street, (becomes FS Rd 24), and begin by heading up the North Side trail on Salmon Creek.
Salmon Creek North Side: From 1st St. turn right on Fish Hatchery Rd, cross the railroad tracks, and make an immediate left onto the trail. Use caution, there is a short, steep gravel downhill followed by an often slippery footbridge just as you begin the trail. From here the trail meanders through the woods near the creek. There is an excellent swimming hole under the railroad trestle about 1 mile up the trail. Beyond the trestle several paths intersect the main trail. Stay to the right to follow Salmon Creek Trail. About 2 miles up from the start of the trail you pop out on a dirt road. Continue up this road paralleling the river, before ducking back on the trail at its east end. Look for the trail continuing beyond the dirt road (to the right as the road turns left). If you miss the trail, hop on the pavement and continue riding east until you see the trail reappear on the right.
The trail intersects Rd. 207 (the only paved road across Salmon Creek) at about the four mile point. About 300 yards downstream from Rd. 207 there is a large boulder in a clearing on the left. Look towards the creek when you reach the boulder to find a beautiful foot bridge. Follow stairs down to the foot bridge for a view of the creek, and the beginning of the South Side Trail. Or, continue beyond Rd. 207 for about half mile to reach Salmon Creek Falls.
The trail ends at Salmon Creek Falls, about 4.5 miles from the start.
Salmon Creek South Side: This technical singletrack follows the south bank of Salmon Creek for 3.4 miles from the footbridge (described above) to the Willamette Fish Hatchery. Once across the footbridge stay to the right to begin. This trail is much more technical than the North Side. Recommended for advanced riders, it is open to all ability levels as long as riders are willing to walk some of the difficult sections. Challenging due to both the technical features found along the trail, and also the steep climbs and descents along its route the South Side of Salmon Creek is a true mountain bike adventure just at the edge of Oakridge. The trail ends at the railroad trestle you passed going up the North Side Trail, although you will be on the other side of the river. From here follow the gravel road to the left for about a half mile. Keep your eye out for a trail picking up on the right which leads back to Fish Hatchery Bridge. If you miss the trail, the road leads to the Willamette Fish Hatchery. Turn right once passing through the hatchery to return to Fish Hatchery Rd and 1st St.
Eugene to Crest Trail (ETC)-Aubrey Mtn Segment: Also accessed by beginning on 1st St, and following the North Side Salmon Creek Trail this ride starts at Rd 207. Road 207, dubbed “The Wall” by local mountain bikers, is one of the steepest in the area. Once at Rd. 207 follow it across the river and begin the climb up “The Wall”. Continue for approximately two miles until the road levels out for a moment. Watch for a small pull out on the left at this point and look for the access trail to the ETC. Once on the access trail it is about 100 ft. to the Eugene to Crest Trail. Turn right at this intersection to begin the singletrack ride back to town. A fast and exhilarating trail the Aubrey Mtn. Section of the ETC rolls along quickly as it skirts the south side of Aubrey Mtn. There are a few short climbs in the first mile and a half of this 3 mile section of singletrack, before it turns decidedly downhill. After the rush of the swoopy descent the trail merges with an old logging road. Stay on the main road following the beaten down grass trail in the roadbed. After about a half mile you will intersect Dunning Rd. Turn left on Dunning and coast down to Fish Hatchery Rd. Turn right at Fish Hatchery Rd. to return to 1st St. A left turn on 1st St. brings you back to the Brewers Union for a local brew and meal before the final ¼ mile coast to the Oakridge Hostel.
Scheduled Events:
Zero Clearance Theater Production – January & May 2011
Tree Planting Festival April 28-May 1, 2011
Cascade Cream Puff 100 mile Mountain Bike Race- July 2011
Mountain Bike Oregon – July 2011
Mountain Bike Oregon – August 2011
Keg and Cask Festival – Summer 2011
FAT55 Oakridge Mountain Bike Marathon – September 2011
Calendar
Here is a calendar of upcoming events in the Oakridge, Oregon area:
