Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

McKenzie River

Katie D.

May 27, 2009 - 3:00 PM

I spent my Memorial Day hiking with friends in the extreme beauty of the Oregon Cascades. We took the city bus Number 91 all the way up to the McKenzie River Ranger Station, which is about an hour and a half from downtown Eugene. The city buses are free with student ID, so this was a completely free trip, which just adds to how wonderful it was.

The day was sheer perfection. The weather was perfect for hiking, and the Oregon forests are so completely beautiful. To my mountain-snob Colorado eyes, the Cascades leave something to be lacking as far as elevation goes. But whatever they lack in height they make up with sheer GREEN. The biodiversity here is just incredible: hundreds of kinds of plants, all the tree species, fungus and moss on the trees, and flowers all around. To my high-elevation Colorado eyes, this much green seems both impossible and miraculous.

We hiked about four miles up the trail, crossing over little streams and often right beside the beautiful McKenzie River. Four miles up the trail there is a hot springs resort, which we wandered into and took a nap on one of the lawns in their garden. We had a picnic lunch, and then packed off toward the bus station. The 91 bus line only runs twice a day on the weekends, so you have to head up early in the morning and head back early, because if you miss the bus it is a LONG way home.

We had a picnic dinner beside the river at the base of the trail, sharing tortellini (which has somehow become a hiking staple) and the good company. We talked with the other people hiking the trails, including some fabulous mountain dogs.

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One of my goals this summer is to discover more of these wonderful places around Eugene. Just how far can I get on the city buses? What is available within a 30 minute car drive? Within city limits there are several wetland and wilderness areas and city parks that I have still not explored.

Oregon is far too beautiful to leave unexplored.