Eugene Spring Weather is Getting Better

April 29, 2010 By AdventureMaster Leave a Comment
Alton Baker Pond A Great Place to Fish!

Last week the weather in Eugene was absolutely amazing! Temperatures were warm, the rain was gone, and everyone was outside enjoying what Eugene, Oregon has to offer. I hiked Spencer Butte from both the Fox Hollow and Willamette trail heads last week and it was beautiful! Wildflowers are blooming and the underbrush is thick and green. Spring is definitely the best season to hike up Spencer's. Despite rain the weeks before, the trails are drying quickly and park crews have improved some rocky sections of the upper trail (thank you butte workers and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Alton Baker, Beautiful Views, Fishing, Hiking, McKenzie River, Oregon Outdoors, Spencer Butte, Umpqua River, Views of Eugene, White Water Rafting, Willamette River

Sunset Bay and Shore Acres

April 13, 2010 By Andrea Niemiec Leave a Comment
Photo By: Andrea Niemiec

Overview: Sunset Bay, OR - The Oregon coastline is world famous for its stunning scenery, and the area south of Coos Bay is no exception. Erosion and seismic action have created a crumbling, fractured coastline full of geologic interest and curious rock formations. Location: Getting There Take 101 through Coos Bay, and turn right onto Empire Rd before you leave town. Take Empire/Coos Bay Hwy for 2.8 miles, then veer left onto Newmark for 0.5 miles, left again to get onto Cape Arago Hwy, and drive for 8 miles. Adventure Specifics: Sunset … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Adventures, Camping, General Recreation, Hiking, Oregon Coast

Bohemia Mountain

April 9, 2010 By Andrea Niemiec Leave a Comment
Photo By: Andrea Niemiec

Overview: Bohemia Mountain in Lane County, Oregon (N 43.574288 and W -122.656999) is a 5840’ peak with a nice hike to an incredible 360-degree view of the Cascade Range. Seasonal wildflower viewing, a nearby ghost town, and all-terrain vehicle trails make a trip to this area even more worthwhile. Location: Google Maps – Eugene to Bohemia Mountain - *Approximate trailhead Location Read Below for detailed directions* (N 43.574288 and W -122.656999) – Mountain Coordinates To get there, drive south on I-5 from Eugene, taking Exit 174 at Cottage … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Adventures, Hiking Tagged With: Beautiful Views, Bohemia Mining Country, Bohemia Oregon, Ghost Town, Hiking, Photography

Watson Falls

April 8, 2010 By Andrea Niemiec Leave a Comment
Photo By: Andrea Niemiec

Overview: One of the highest waterfalls in Oregon, Watson Falls plunges 272 feet to its moss-covered base, and is an easy 0.8 mile hike round-trip with a 300 foot elevation gain. Located along Highway 138, Watson Falls is one of a string of waterfalls whose trail heads are easily accessed from the highway, and is a quick stop during any trip through the area. Location: Google Maps - Eugene to Watson Falls Getting There From Roseburg, take Highway 138 for approximately 61 miles. Turn south on Road 37, and park at the trail head parking lot approximately … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Adventures, Hiking, Waterfalls

Eugene Rain Brings Mountain Snow

April 5, 2010 By AdventureMaster Leave a Comment

The one thing that's great about the cold and crazy spring weather in Eugene is that it brings amazing mountain snow. This past week some areas of the cascades were hit with over 40 inches of fluffy, chest deep powder. While I unfortunately didn't get to indulge, I heard that Saturday was one of the best days of the year for Willamette Pass and Hoodoo ski resorts. The snow was coming down in buckets and every turn was epic. If you plan on getting some spring skiing in this year these next few weeks are going to be amazing. More snow is on the way, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Cascade Snow, Eugene, Hot Springs, Oregon, Spring Skiing, Spring Snow

Tamolitch Pool

April 3, 2010 By Andrea Niemiec Leave a Comment
Photo By: Andrea Niemiec

Overview: Tamolitch Pool is the basin of Tamolitch Falls, once a natural waterfall on the McKenzie River that has since been diverted by EWEB, buried by lava flows, and is now a "dry" waterfall. What remains is a large, breathtaking pool of spring-fed water that shades from deep purple to turquoise. The Trailhead: The trail to Tamolitch Pool leaves from a trail head a few hundred yards off of Highway 126, and is a four mile loop along part of the popular 26-mile-long McKenzie River Trail. For the first mile or so the trail winds through cedar and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Adventures, Hiking, Waterfalls Tagged With: Hiking, Hwy 126, McKenzie River, Tamolitch Falls, Tamolitch Pool, Waterfalls

Matthieu Lakes – Dee Wright Observatory

April 3, 2010 By Andrea Niemiec Leave a Comment
Photo By: Andrea Niemiec

Overview: Located on Highway 242 about 15 miles west of Sisters, Oregon, the Matthieu Lakes trail takes you through a pine forest bordering lava beds up to two small, idyllic lakes, with spectacular views of the North and Middle Sisters, Mt. Washington, Three-Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Hood along the way. Location: Google Maps - Directions from Eugene Approximately 1.5 hours from Eugene, Oregon. To reach the Matthieu Lakes trail head, from I-5 south near Eugene, take OR 126/McKenzie River Highway east for approximately … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Adventures, Camping, General Recreation, Hiking Tagged With: Beautiful Views, Campground, Cascades, Photography