native plants

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 half to full 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:

June 21st - Thunder Mountain
July 12th - Bull of the Woods Fire Tour
August 16th - Mount Lowe and Rhododendron Ridge 

Read full hike descriptions including meeting locations HERE.

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 - June 21st at Thunder Mountain

Description:  This diverse route crosses several high elevation passes and hillsides varying from dry rocky huckleberry fields to lush wet meadows, finally reaching the open top of Thunder Mountain at 5185 ft. To the north is Mount Hood, to the east Fish Creek Mountain, to the southeast Olallie Butte and to the south Mount Jefferson. Little remains of the once important lookout tower.

Wildflowers grace portions of the area. Local climate and soil conditions make a contrast between species-poor dry areas and species-rich wetlands. The route includes abandoned and active trails and decommissioned roads. There are several interesting geologic features remaining in this once-volcanic area.

This hike is mostly within the Clackamas drainage and rated as moderate at 8 miles in length with an overall elevation gain over 1000 ft. Meet at the Oregon City Shopping Center at 1900 McLoughlin Blvd. in Oregon City, at 8:30 am. Park in the lot adjacent to the entrance near the bank. This is a full day hike.

Join wild food expert John Kallas and get hands-on experience on how some wild plants are processed for grain, flour, and essential oils. We'll see how to shell, grind, process and leach acorns so that they transform into wonderful additions to breads, muffins, pancakes, and pudding. By the end of the workshop we'll have gone from bitter acorns in the shell to a sweet acorn pudding that any normal human would enjoy. Also learn how to make a distillation setup from simple kitchen ware. We'll make a distillate from mint that you could use to flavor teas, use in cooking or aroma therapy. For information or to register visit the Wild Food Adventures workshops page.  Enrollment Limited! - Advanced registration reserves you a place in the workshop.

Join wild food expert John Kallas to investigate wild foods from marshes, fields, and woods -- including wapato or Indian potato, elderberry, wild cherry, and many other plants. This island was originally called Wapato Island by the Lewis and Clark expedition for its abundance of the plant. Wild blackberries should be ripe for picking while we are there, so bring some gathering containers if you wish to pick them after the workshop. For information or to register visit the Wild Food Adventures workshops page.  Enrollment Limited! - Advanced registration reserves you a place in the workshop.

Join wild food expert John Kallas to learn about wild fruits and other edible plant parts found in northwest forests. Summer is when many wild fruits are ripe for picking. See and learn about plants like huckleberry, salmonberry, oregon grape, bunchberry, elderberry, gooseberry, wild current, hawthorne, salal, thimbleberry, fairybells, saskatoons, Indian plum, among others, as well as some poisonous berry producing plants. Explore one of the more beautiful forests in Portland's own back yard. For information or to register visit the Wild Food Adventures workshops page.  Enrollment Limited! - Advanced registration reserves you a place in the workshop.

Join wild food expert John Kallas to explore edible and poisonous plants in one of Portland's most diverse and unique landscapes. See and sample from plants you pass by everyday and others you'll find regularly. Most of these plants can be found in your own neighborhoods, fields, and local woodlands. Learn identification, use, and processing of fennel, chicory, black mustard, knotweed, wild sweet pea, bull thistle and many others. See poison oak and poison hemlock.  For information or to register visit the Wild Food Adventures workshops page.  Enrollment Limited! - Advanced registration reserves you a place in the workshop.