Hiking in Oregon Wine Country
byExperience sponsored by Willamette Valley Oregon Wine Country along with Eugene, Cascades & Coast
John and I believe in balance: We work hard to play hard. We also enjoy fine foods and beverages, as well as physical activity. It just so happens that we found this balance during our recent trip to Willamette Valley Oregon Wine Country.
Hiking in Philomath
Before stopping in at Cardwell Hill Cellars in Philomath, Oregon, we went for a hike in the Beazell Memorial Forest, which is a testament to true love. For real! Even though my Cascadian heart finds forests utterly and hopelessly romantic settings in general, this one was specially created for all to enjoy thanks to a dedication from a beloved husband.
The 586 acre demonstration forest was the site of the Plunkett farm and homestead in the 1930s, and was purchased by 1966 by Fred Beazell, an employee at a high-tech company in California’s Silicon Valley. Fred married his long-time sweetheart Dolores in 1968 and convinced her to move to Oregon in 1991. But Dolores Beazell died just two years later. Grieving, and without children, Fred decided to leave the property as a memorial to his beloved wife. Today Benton County manages the Beazell Memorial Forest for recreation and forest ecology. [Source]
The forest has two main loop trails: The South Ridge Trail (3.1km round trip, elevation gain of 633 ft) and the Plunkett Creek Trail (4.3km round trip, elevation gain of 665 ft) which can join up with the Plunkett Creek Trail. We ended up on the creek loop and it was such a lush forest environment. I know my Pacific Northwest Forests pretty well but this one was different.
Groves of oak trees and old growth maples, red alder, wood fern, a Douglas-fir plantation and the colours of autumn leaves contrasting with the pitch black basalt rocks that made up the path.
I’m used to wood chips and mulch so it was cool to see the region’s volcanic roots in the middle of the woods. Hike it with your sweetheart if you can, and tip your hat to Fred and Dolores.
Hiking in Eugene
Spencer Butte is to Eugene what Quarry Rock is to Deep Cove. Grab a coffee to go and hit this hike in the morning before Sunday brunch reservation. It’s a busy trail, well traveled by families, dogs on leash, and sprinters who are in it for the exercise and not the selfies at the top.
The parking lot starts off in a dewy meadow, already at a bit of an elevation above Eugene. There’s the “short way up” which is pretty much vertical with some boulder scrambling, then there’s the more leisurely 2.3km stroll through Douglas fir forest. You’ll gain 698 feet in elevation through switchbacks until you reach above the cloud line finding satisfying views of the entire region.
At the top there’s room to pause, have a snack, finish your coffee (or chug some water like I did) and enjoy a 360 degree view of Eugene. Spot the Three Sisters peaks to the east, which are part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, along with ranches, rivers, lakes and the University of Oregon in the distance.
Chat up a friendly doggo that made the hike up, and head back down the scenic route to hit up that local craft brewery (like Falling Sky Brewing where we had our own brunch).
There are many more hikes to choose from in the Eugene area, which is also known for its waterfalls.
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