| Governor Kulongoski's Recommended Hikes |
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| Greater Willamette Valley Area |
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Silver Creek Falls
Directions: From Highway 22 (east of Salem), follow the signs to Silver Creek Falls State Park. Within the park, there are a number of trails which you can choose to hike.
Length: Varies
The Hike: There are a number of trails that run throughout the park which can either be taken independently or together, thus lengthening the hike. Whichever trailhead you choose, be sure to consult the map at the trailhead and decide on a route before venturing beyond: the trails can sometimes be confusing.
Sawmill Falls-Opal Pool Trail
Directions: From Highway 22, turn north on Little North Fork Road and veer left on Road 2209 at the first fork in the road. Leave your car at the locked gate and hike to the trailhead.
Length: 7.1 mile loop
The Hike: The hike takes you through old-growth forest to Sawmill Falls and continues upstream to Opal Pool and Jawbone Flats.
Buford Park-Mount Pisgah Trails
Directions: Take I-5 Exit 189 until 30th Avenue. Turn onto Franklin toward the Texaco station. Turn right after the Texaco station. Go a quarter of a mile and make a left onto Seavey Loop Road, (you will see a Lane County Parks sign). Follow Seavey Loop about 2 miles. Cross one-lane bridge and go straight into the Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Parking lots are about an 1/8 of a mile with free parking.
Length: Varies
The Hike: There are a number of hikes throughout the park. For the best view, take one of the trails up to Mt. Pisgah arboretum, from which you can look down and see nearly the entire Willamette Valley.
Meadowedge Trail
Directions: Hwy 34 west from Philomath for 10 miles then turn north on to Forest Road 30 for 9.3 miles.
Length: 1.6 miles
The Hike: This trail forms a loop encompassing alpine meadows, a forest of noble fir and the Parker Creek riparian area. You will see a view of the Coast Range and an easy access to the summit of Mary’s Peak.
Hebo Lake Loop
Directions: Hwy 101 to Hwy 22. Travel ¼ mile on Hwy 22 to Forest Service 14. Travel Forest Service Road 14, 5 miles to Hebo Lake Campground.
Length: 0.5 miles
The Hike: The trail loops around Hebo Lake, a small man-made lake which is filled with rainbow trout every year.
Mill Creek
Directions: From Highway 22 (west of Salem), turn south at the signs for Mill Creek (roughly 15 miles east of Spirit Mountain Casino).
Length: Varies
The Hike: There are a number of trails that run along Mill Creek, but there is also ample room to picnic or to swim in some of the deeper parts of the creek. A great day trip.
Woodpecker Loop
Directions: The trailhead is located 3 miles up Refuge Road, off Hwy 99W.
Length: 1 mile
The Hike: This backcountry trail runs a little over a mile in the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge and takes visitors through a variety of natural settings. Beginning in an oak woodland habitat, the trail climbs slightly to an overlook that affords exceptional views of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Range, and then continues down into forests of Douglas fir and mature maples. With interpretive signage as a guide, this scenic trail is a prime location for wildlife observation and offers users a chance to see five species of woodpeckers.
Mary’s Peak Summit
Directions: Hwy 34 west from Philomath for 10 miles then turn north on to Forest Road 30 for 9.3 miles. Stop at the Meadowedge trailhead.
Length: 2.1 miles
The Hike: This hike follows the Meadowedge trail, but continues on to the summit of Mary’s Peak.
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