History: The ponds were the result of 1950′s deforestation and gravel mining along the Willamette River.  After the gravel was harvested, the steep banked pits filled with water creating stagnant ponds. In the ensuing years the leftover paths around the ponds were left to nature and became over grown with blackberries and other vegetation until they became impassible.

In 2005, after ten years of planning, a notch was cut in the levy separating the ponds from the Willamette River and water flow was restored, creating a more suitable habitat for native plants and wildlife. Since then, further improvement has been made to the trails around the ponds, including the addition of informational placards, bridges, and wildlife viewing platforms. The restored backwaters and grasslands now provide very important habitat for young salmon, steelhead, and Canada Geese who use the area as a protected nursery.

Location: The Delta Ponds are located on the Willamette in North Eugene near Valley River Center. There are several places to park along Goodpasture Island Road and the largest parking area is just south of Kingsley Road.

Google Map: Eugene, Oregon to Delta Ponds Parking Area

Amenities: At the main parking area along Goodpasture Island Road is a parking area with roughly 10 parking spots, restrooms and a paved ADA accessible path. The path terminates at a viewing platform.

Warnings: Stay on the marked trails, this area is a delicate habitat for many fragile species. Not to mention, many areas are still home to nuisance plants such as blackberries and poison oak. Dogs should be kept on leashes or even left at home so as to not disturb the wildlife.

Best Times to Go: Any time is a great time to visit Delta Ponds, they are close to home and readily accessible. From early spring until late summer, various wildflowers are in bloom and the deciduous trees turn the area into a gorgeous, green wonderland.

General Information: There is something in Delta Ponds for everyone, from photographers and bird watchers to bikers and parents who need to get  the kids out of the house. Bring your camera, print off a copy of the bird watchers list that is linked below and enjoy a little bit of nature right in your own backyard.

Adventures Nearby: Skinner Butte, Owen Memorial Rose Garden, Alton Baker Park, Willamette River Trail

Links:

• Delta Ponds – History and Restoration Information
• Register Guard Article on the Delta Ponds Restoration
• Delta Ponds Photos on Flickr
• PDF Map of Delta Ponds
• Delta Ponds Bird List

Additional Photos:

Location: Toketee Falls is located approximately 133 miles Southeast of Eugene directly off Highway 138, near Roseburg and Glide, Oregon.

Google Maps:  Eugene, Oregon to Toketee Falls, OR

Adventure Specifics: Toketee Falls is accessed via a shady 0.7 mile graded dirt and gravel path from the parking lot. The trail is relatively smooth and easy with multiple sets of natural rock and built stairs. There are handrails in steeper places, but it is not handicap accessible due to the several sets of stairs. The trail was closed for several years due to damage, but was reopened in 2011.

Warnings: Please stay on the designated trail. There are make-shift trails from the viewing area to the base of the falls, but they are extremely steep and dangerous. During the winter, the path to the falls can be slippery or difficult due to snow and ice. Use caution.

What to Bring: A camera, water and good walking shoes.

Amenities: Pit toilets, ample paved parking, well worn walking paths

Best Times to Go: Toketee Falls is accessible year round if you’re not opposed all weather hiking. In the winter the trail will likely be hard to follow and require snow shoes. The flow the Falls is controlled by a dam less than a mile up steam that is part of the Umpqua hydroelectric project. A portion of the flow from the North Umpqua River is diverted by the 12 foot wood pipeline that runs along the parking lot toward Toketee Lake. This regulation keeps the flow relatively stable year round.

General Comments: The word “Toketee” is Chinook for “Pretty” or “Graceful” it was given this name in 1916. Toketee is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Oregon. The best time to photograph the falls is either on an over cast day, before 9am, or near sunset to avoid unfavorable light creating overexposure of the base of the falls and underexposure of the top tier of the falls.

Other Adventures Nearby: Watson Falls, North Umpqua Trail, Slide Creek Falls, Diamond Lake, Crater Lake

Location: Paulina Lake (the approximate center of the crater) is about 3 hours from Eugene. The best route to take is the Willamette Highway (58) across the Crescent Cut-off and then north on US-97 until you see the signs for the Newberry Volcanic Monument about 30 miles south of Bend.

Google Maps: Eugene to Newberry Crater

Adventure Specifics

Hiking & Mountain Biking:

There are several great hiking and mountain biking opportunities around the crater. A few of the more notable routes are:

• Rim Trail (#3957) is a 21 mile loop around the crater. It is classified as difficult primarily due to its length and lack of water sources, but has very rewarding views of forests, lakes and volcanic formations. Also open to horses.
• Big Obsidian Flow Interpretive Trail (#3958)is a must see if you are limited on time, the one mile trail wanders through Oregon’s youngest lava flow and has several interpretive signs. Watch your step though, the obsidian is sharp!
• Paulina Peak Trail (#3951) is a steep (8% grade) but short (.5 mile) offshoot of the Rim Trail to the top of Paulina Peak. From the top you can see all the way from Mount Adams to Mount Shasta on a clear day. The views are unbeatable!

Fishing: Paulina and East Lake contain large numbers of Kokanee Salmon, Brown, and Rainbow trout. East Lake also contains some Atlantic salmon. Two record size brown trout have been pulled from Paulina Lake. 

East Lake Fishing Info: East Lake Resort – Fishing Info

Camping/Lodging: There are 7 campgrounds in the Newberry Monument including Little Crater, Paulina Lake, Newberry Group Camp, Chief Paulina Horse Camp.

Snow Sports – The Paulina Lake/Newberry Crater area is popular for snow sports such as snowmobiling, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. The historic Paulina Lake Resort is open all winter to provide lodging to snow sport aficionados.

Additional Adventures: Check out the newly remodeled Lava Lands Visitor Center and nearby lava caves for and additional adventure near the monument.

Time Involved: There are plenty of places to explore in the Volcanic Monument, you can spend as much time as you’d like.

Best Time to Go: Late Spring, Summer, and Early Fall. The roads are not well maintained and many of the attractions in the area are not open after October as the weather is unpredictable.

Amenities: Toilets, Snacks, Restaurant, Cabins, Camping.

Usage Fees: $5 day pass / $30 annual pass.  Northwest Forest Pass is required at some trailheads.

Fees: There is no fee to tour the lighthouse, groups are restricted to 8 or less individuals. Click here for camping fees: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_121.php

Location: Just under 2 hours West of Eugene. Take Highway 38 (The Umpqua Highway) East to Reedsport and then 101 South to Umpqua Lighthouse & State Park.
Eugene to Umpqua Lighthouse – Google Maps

Time Involved: I usually like to make a day trip out of this adventure and spend some time meandering up the coast. You can make a loop if you drive north to Florence and then head back inland to Eugene.

Adventure Specifics: Umpqua State Park is a general recreation area. Lake Marie has several campsites and when we visited there was a high concentration of ORVs playing on the nearby dunes. The beach is sandy and there is a long rock jetty.  Also don’t miss the daily tours of the Umpqua Lighthouse May 1st – October 30^th from 10-4pm.

What to Bring: Camera, hiking/walking shoes, binoculars, etc.

Amenities: Restrooms, campground with full RV hook ups, tent spaces and yurts, picnic areas.

Best Times to Go: A nice clear day.

Links to External Sites: Oregon State Parks Information

Other Adventures Nearby: Reedsport, Oregon,  Oregon Dunes, Lake Marie, Clear Lake, Bolton Island Tideways State Park.

Location: Proxy Falls is located approximately 65 miles from Eugene, 6-1/2 miles from the junction of Highway 126 (The McKenzie River Byway) and Highway 242 (McKenzie Pass). The parking area is well signed with a large pull out right before the road turns sharply and gains significant elevation.

Google Maps – Eugene to Proxy Falls

Adventure Specifics: The waterfall is accessed by two hiking trails, the official signed trail to the right and is a ¾ mile hike over moderate to easy terrain (not ADA accessible). The alternative route is ½ mile with slightly more difficult terrain and not as rewarding of a view. If you are visiting around sunset I highly recommend the official path to the right.

Warnings: During the cooler months, the paths around the falls can be snowy and icy. Use caution. Also check road conditions before heading out, this area gets a lot of snow and experiences seasonal closures. Access to the falls may be closed from November until July.

What to Bring: A camera, water resistant jacket (if you plan on getting near the falls), and good walking shoes.

Amenities: Pit toilets, paved parking, paved walking paths, picnic tables, and garbage receptacles.

Best Times to Go: Proxy Falls are generally the best between June and early November and access to the falls may be closed off due to the seasonal closure of McKenzie Highway 242.

Nearby: Linton Lake, Linton Falls, Dee Wright Observatory, Scott Lake, Three Sisters, Belknap Hot Springs and Resort

Location: Just half a mile south of Triangle lake, about 50 minutes from Eugene. A parking lot will be located on the right, and a trail down to the rock slides will be across the street.

Google Maps: Eugene to Triangle Lake Rock Water Slides

Activities:

Swimming: The uppermost pool offers a small swimming hole of moderate temperature with a warmer wading pool located below the rock water slide.

Cliff jumping: On the far side of the uppermost pool, highlighted by dangling ropes, are two accessible jumps at roughly 25 and 35 feet. Careful, the climb is more treacherous than the jump and the rocks are usually slippery.

Natural Rock Waterslide: Below the uppermost pool is the famous “Slide Rock”, 100ft. of fun, slippery, natural rock sliding!

Warnings: Cliff jumping and natural rock slides are inherently dangerous and slippery, please use caution at all times.

Time involved: Half-day/Full day

Adventure specifics: The rockslides are located in a ravine and receive direct sunlight for a limited portion of the day.  Plan your trip around the sun’s highest point; noon to 3p.m. won’t disappoint. Bring a flotation device of some sort if you want to slide and avoid the road rash. Stores are lacking near by, so bring food and water if you plan to stay for any length of time.

Maps and Resources:

BLM Brochure and Map for Lake Creek Falls

What to bring: Swim gear, towel, flotation devices, water, food.

Amenities: A bathroom is available at the parking lot.

Best times to go: Noon-4pm/sun’s highest points of the day. – Slide Rock is best visited in the summer months when the creek flows are lower and the weather is wam.

Other adventures near by: Triangle lake

Location: The Trailheads for the Dread and Terror Section are the parking area for Umpqua Hot Spring east of Glide, OR, or the White Mule Trailhead near the dam at Lemolo Lake.

Time Involved: A couple of hours to all day. It depends on how far you want to go before you turn back and if you are biking or hiking.

Adventure Specifics: If you’re pressed for time the beginning of the trail at Umpqua Hot Spring contains both Surprise Falls & Columnar Falls at the outset. If you continue down the trail you will come across several small streams and seeps along the river. Several miles down the trail (near White Mule Cr.) you will come to Lemolo Falls which is a 102ft horsetail.

Photo By: Lacey LaDuke - LaDukePhoto.com

Warnings: Watch for hikers and bikers, this is a popular trail section. Also wooden bridges and other features across streams can be VERY slippery. Also I found the bugs to be particularly bad on this section, possibly due to all of the water.

What to Bring: Hiking/Tennis shoes, water, bug spray, mountain bike, camera.

Amenities: Bathrooms, picnic tables and potable water at the Umpqua H.S. trailhead. Full services and camping are available at the resort at Lemolo Lake.

Best Times to Go: The trail can be really wet or even snowy in the winter. I visited in April and definitely got covered in mud. I would suggest waiting until the winter run-off has subsided.

General Comments: If you are more interested in starting at the top and riding one direction instead of an out and back ride or hike shuttles are available from the Dry Creek Store (541)498-2215. This is also one of the only places to get gas once you get out of Glide.

Links to External Sites:

BLM Website / General Information:
http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg/recreation/umpquatrails/

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg/recreation/umpquatrails/dread_and_terror_segment.htm

Oregon Biking Photos:

http://ladukephoto.zenfolio.com/bikeor

Location: The Trailhead for the Tioga Section (and the start of the N. Umpqua Trail) is at the Swiftwater Picnic Area about 6 miles east of Glide, OR.

Time Involved: A couple of hours to all day. It depends on how far you want to go before you turn back and if you are biking or hiking.

Adventure Specifics: The first couple miles are gentle and wind through a lush green forest across creeks and through ferns. At about mile 3 you start a pretty brutal climb (it may be easier on hikers but I was hauling myself up on my mountain bike) This is the ascent of Bob’s Butte. It is definitely worth the haul up it. Beyond Bob’s Butte the trail got a little rougher and less maintained but was still fun. After the big downhill you level out for a bit and are met by another climb toward the end of this trail section.

Warnings: Watch for hikers and bikers, this is a popular trail section. Also wooden bridges and other features across streams can be VERY slippery.

What to Bring: Hiking/Tennis shoes, water, bug spray, mountain bike, camera.

Amenities: Bathrooms, picnic tables and potable water at the Swiftwater Trailhead.

Best Times to Go: The trail can be really wet or even snowy in the winter. I visited in April and definitely got covered in mud.

General Comments: If you are more interested in starting at the top and riding one direction instead of an out and back ride or hike shuttles are available from the Dry Creek Store (541)498-2215. This is also one of the only places to get gas once you get out of Glide.

Links to External Sites:

BLM Website / General Information
http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg/recreation/umpquatrails/

Oregon Biking Photos:

http://ladukephoto.zenfolio.com/bikeor

(Photo By: Andrea Niemiec)

History: The unique colors of the Painted Hills were formed by volcanic eruptions that sent clouds of ash to settle over much of Central Oregon. Over time, layers of ash formed with different mineral compositions, which led to the bands of color seen today.

As the climate in the region changed, the layers of ash were covered by water and formed the bottom of a lake bed. After millennia, the lake eventually dried, and geologic motion in the earth’s crust thrust parts of the lake bed up, allowing wind and rain to begin the process of erosion. Exposed to air and water, the minerals in the volcanic ash oxidized and transformed into the vividly-colored claystone we see today.

Location: The Painted Hills Unit is 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, OR on a well-marked side road off of Highway 26. From both Eugene and Portland, the Painted Hills are roughly 200 miles and about four hours of driving.

Google Maps – Eugene to  Painted Hills, Oregon

Time Involved: If it’s a nice day at the painted hills you could easily spend the entire day hiking around and checking out all of the different areas of the park.

(Photo By: Andrea Niemiec)

Adventure Specifics – Hiking: While the landscape of the Painted Hills is delicate and closed to bushwhacking hikers, several trails allow visitors to see the geology close at hand. The 0.25 mile Painted Cove Trail takes you among low hills of multi-hued claystone, and signs explain in detail the processes that produced the incredible colors. The Overlook Trail (as its name suggests) offers a number of panoramic views of the hills. The 1.5 mile round-trip Carroll Rim Trail is slightly longer and more strenuous, but offers a sweeping view of the entire monument.

Amenities: There are numerous picnic and parking areas located throughout the recreation area. Just to the left of the entrance to the recreation area are pit toilets and a nice picnic/grassy area with tables and garbage cans.

Warnings: Please DO NOT hike on the Painted Hills themselves. The clay is very susceptible to erosion and outside damage. A couple of wrong footsteps could damage the hills for months.

(Photo By: Andrea Niemiec)

Best Times to Go: The Painted Hills are accessible year round, but may be partially covered with snow in the winter months. The absolute “Best” time to go is shortly after a rain storm in full sunlight. Recent rains tend to bring out the best color in the Painted Hills.

Other Adventures Nearby: Mitchell, Oregon; Ochoco National Forest, John Day Fossil Beds.

Resources:

• Painted Hills – Wikipedia
• John Day Fossil Beds – National Park Service

Find more photos and information on this post at Andrea’s Blog – Shoestring Traveler

Shaniko, Oregon, located just off of highway 97 in Central Oregon, is Oregon’s best known ghost town. Home to the first “Intercity Bus Service in the US”, this once bustling and pioneering Oregon town quickly went downhill after a series of unfortunate events in the early 1900′s. Be sure to visit the museum and old hotel/saloon. There’s history everywhere in Shaniko, go out and discover it!

Type: Ghost Town – History and Photography
Hours: Stop and look anytime, most businesses are open April-October
Fee: None but please consider supporting local business
Parking: There is ample parking all around town.

Location: Shaniko Ghost Town is located about 4 hours north east of Eugene and less than an hour from Madras (the closest notable city), just off of Highway 97.

Google Maps – Eugene, OR to Shaniko, OR

Time Involved: You could easily spend an afternoon exploring the abandoned buildings, small businesses and historical displays.

Adventure Specifics: Plan on parking and walking a bit. The town is pretty much flat so getting around is simple. A few die-hard individuals have been restoring the town one building at a time so be sure to check out the occupied buildings as well to get the history.There is a museum, ice cream shop, post office, gas station (when we were there the pumps appeared to be closed, fyi), general store, art gallery and book store to check out.

Warnings: Please do not trespass, if a building is posted as private respect the owner and resist the urge to explore. Also be weary of weak floors, broken glass, barbwire and other standard ghost town characteristics.

What to Bring: Water, camera & a sense of adventure. Sunscreen is advisable in warmer months and a scarf in the winter, it can be VERY windy!

Amenities: Seasonal lodging, restaurants and shops.

Best Times to Go: The town is essentially abandoned in the winter. When we visited we didn’t see another living soul aside from the traffic whizzing by on highway 97, oblivious to what they were passing by. Shops and museums and the like are open from April-October.

General Comments: Shaniko has a population of 26 and was voted “Oregon’s ghost town of the year” in 1959. It was originally named “Cross Hollows” but was later renamed “Shaniko” after it’s post master August Scherneckau who settled there after the civil war. The city was originally a ranch city and was known for a while as the “Wool Capital of the World” Unfortunately Shaniko started it’s decline around 1911 (10 years after the town was incorporated)  when the railroad opened a new line and diverted traffic away. In the 1960′s a flood near Grass Valley destroyed part of the Columbia Southern Rail Line and it was never repaired further isolating Shaniko.

Other Adventures Nearby: Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds, Ochoco National Forest

More Information:

• http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/or/shaniko.html
• Shaniko, Oregon – Wikipedia
• http://www.shaniko.com/shanikox.html

Find more photos and adventures on Lacey’s Blog – LaDuke Adventures