If you've always wanted to explore the Clackamas Watershed, but haven't been sure where to start, come on a CRBC hike this year!
Spend a day learning about geology, local flora and fauna, and the history of the Clackamas Watershed, while experiencing incredible scenery. This is a great opportunity to visit environments close to home, often pristine ones, that emphasize the natural beauty and biodiversity the Clackamas River Basin has to offer, leaving hikers with a greater sense of appreciation and motivation to protect these valuable resources.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming hikes:
* July 12th - Bull of the Woods Fire Tour
* August 16th - Mount Lowe and Rhododendron Ridge
All tours are led by CRBC Board Member Bryon Boyce. See hike descriptions below for meeting locations. Bring plenty of water, a camera, bug spray, and a lunch. Be aware that temperatures in the upper watershed are cooler than in town so layer clothing for comfort and wear appropriate footwear. Hikes are free and participants will carpool. RSVP to attend by emailing Morgan Parks at MORGAN@CLACKAMASRIVER.ORG or calling 503-303-4372 x101.
Next Hike - July 12th Bull of the Woods Fire Tour
Far-ranging views and wildflowers can be seen along the ridge-tops from Bull of the Woods (at 5523 ft.) and its lookout on this moderate to strenuous 10.5 mile hike. High mountain lakes will be visited as well. A car shuttle will exit at a second lower elevation trailhead. The route will involve substantially more downhill than uphill. Overall there will be 1075 feet elevation gain and 3375 feet loss.
This tour will be an excellent opportunity to visit wilderness areas of the Bull of the Woods Fire Complex of 2010 and the Mother Lode Fire of 2011. Learning about fire ecology and fire management in Western Oregon will be a focus of the outing. The fire left a mixture of damage types. Some were burned mostly by ground fire, leaving most of the tree canopy green. Other sections resulted in stand-replacing crown fires with large areas basically charcoal. In moderately and lightly burned areas, only deeply rooted herbaceous plants and shrubs have survived. Some recovery will be evident.
The plant zones we will pass through vary from high elevation forest to open rocky meadows and slopes to dense upper and mid-montane forest. The valleys of the fire area all drain to the Collowash River. Meet at the Clackamas River Ranger District -- 595 NW Industrial Way in Estacada, at 8:30 am. This is a full day hike. Due to the wilderness designation, the hike is limited to 12 participants.