100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades [Paperback]

William Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

Welcome to Oregon's favorite hiking area, the mountains between the Willamette Valley and Bend. Few regions pack such a variety of trails into an area crossable by a two-hour drive. This guide covers more than just the well-known Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, and Diamond Peak Wilderness Areas. You'll discover paths to a natural rock arch near Detroit, a cluster of lava caves near Bend, a dry waterfall on the McKenzie River, and a gold-mining ghost town near Cottage Grove. Twenty-three of the trips are open even in winter.

This guidebook features several difficulty levels. Hikers with children will find 50 hikes carefully chosen for them. On the other hand, a quarter of the hikes included are unabashedly difficult, and 56 of the trails are rated as suitable for backpackers as well as day hikers. Special symbols identify trails recommended for mountain bikers and equestrians. At the back of the book you'll find a list of 20 all-accessible trails suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. And if you really want to get away from it all, there's even an appendix describing 100 MORE hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades -- little known but interesting paths for adventurous spirits.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William L. Sullivan is the author of six books and numerous articles about Oregon, including a regular outdoor column for Eugene Weekly. A fifth-generation Oregonian, Sullivan began hiking at the age of five and has been exploring new trails ever since. After receiving an English degree from Cornell University and studying at Germany's Heidelberg University, he earned an M.A. from the University of Oregon.

In 1985 Sullivan set out to investigate Oregon's wilderness on a 1,361-mile solo backpacking trek from the state's westernmost shore at Cape Blanco to Oregon's easternmost point in Hells Canyon. His journal of that two-month adventure, published as "Listening for Coyote," was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award in creative nonfiction . Since then he has authored a popular series of "100 Hikes" guidebooks to the regions of Oregon. Other titles in the series are "100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon," covering Mt. Hood, the Columbia Gorge, Mt. St. Helens, and the Portland area; "100 Hikes in Southern Oregon," including Crater Lake National Park, the Rogue River, the Siskiyous, the Trinity Alps, and Mt. Shasta; and "100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range," describing not only the hiking trails of the scenic Pacific shore, but also the campgrounds, beaches, lighthouses, aquariums, canoeing/kayaking options, bicycle paths, and birdwatching sites.

He and his wife Janell live in Eugene, but spend summers in a log cabin they built by hand on a roadless stretch of Oregon's Siletz River.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Hike #4. Opal Creek Easy (to Opal Pool) 7 miles round-trip 200 feet elevation gain Open all year Maps: Battle Ax, Elkhorn (USGS)

Moderate (to Beachie Creek) 10.2 miles round-trip 500 feet elevation gain

Opal Creek's ancient forest, on the edge of the Bull of the Woods Wilderness, was thrust to fame in the 1980s by controversy over Forest Service logging proposals. National television crews and thousands of visitors hiked to Jawbone Flats' rustic mining camp and scrambled over a rugged "bear trail" to view the endangered old-growth groves towering above this creek's green pools. By the time Opal Creek finally won Wilderness protection in 1996 an improved path had been built to make the area more hiker-friendly. The new trail shortcuts from the Little North Santiam River to Opal Creek, bypassing Jawbone Flats.

Start by driving east from Salem on North Santiam Highway 22 for 23 miles to Mehama's second flashing yellow light. Opposite the Swiss Village Restaurant, turn left on Little North Fork Road for 15 paved miles and an additional 1.3 miles of gravel. At a fork, veer left on Road 2209 past the sign "Road Closed 6 Miles Ahead." Then drive 6 miles to the locked gate. Residents of Jawbone Flats are allowed to drive the dirt road ahead; others must park and walk.

The pleasantly primitive road crosses Gold Creek on a 60-foot-high bridge, skirts dramatic cliffs above the Little North Santiam River, and winds through an old-growth grove as impressive as any found farther upstream. At the 2-mile mark, stop to inspect the rusting machinery of Merten Mill on the right. The mill operated briefly during the Depression, using winches from the battleship USS Oregon, but folded after two of the mill's lumber trucks fell off the narrow canyon road. Now a camping area for backpackers, the mill site has one small empty building that can serve as emergency shelter. A short side trail behind the building leads to Sawmill Falls, a 30-foot cascade pouring into a deep green pool ideal for swimming.

The road forks 0.2 mile beyond Merten Mill, offering two options. Day hikers interested in the area's mining history may wish to continue straight on the main road 1.3 miles to Jawbone Flats, a well-preserved collection of 27 buildings dating from 1929-1932. Jawbone Flats has been donated to the Friends of Opal Creek as an old-growth study center. Respect the residents' privacy by staying on the road. Cross a bridge, turn right at a building with a humming water-power generator, and walk 0.2 mile further to a sign indicating a short side trail to Opal Pool's scenic gorge<197>a rewarding goal for an easy hike.

If you're headed for the trail up Opal Creek, however, don't go to Jawbone Flats. Instead, turn right at the road fork beyond Merten Mill, cross the river on an old log bridge, and turn left onto the Opal Creek Trail. The path follows the Little North Santiam River a mile, crosses a forested bench to an overlook of Opal Pool, and then continues up Opal Creek 1.5 miles before petering out. Along the way you'll pass several small waterfalls and Cedar Flat's trio of ancient red cedars, 500-1000 years old. The Beachie Creek crossing, on a mossy log, makes a good turnaround point.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Navillus Press; 2nd edition (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961815264
• ISBN-13: 978-0961815264
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,317,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The author of three novels and a dozen nonfiction books, Sullivan grew up in Salem, Oregon. He completed his B.A. degree in English at Cornell University under Alison Lurie, studied linguistics at Germany's Heidelberg University, and earned an M.A. in German at the University of Oregon. He reads in a dozen languages, plays the pipe organ, and enjoys backcountry ski expeditions.
Sullivan is known in the American West as the author who backpacked more than a thousand miles across Oregon's wilderness in 1985. His journal of that adventure, "Listening for Coyote," has since been chosen one of Oregon's "100 Books," the most significant books in state history.
In summer he writes at the log cabin that he and his wife Janell Sorensen built by hand in the wilds of Oregon's Coast Range, more than a mile from roads, electricity, and telephones. The rest of the year they live in Eugene, Oregon, where he volunteers to promote libraries and literature.
A list of Sullivan's books, speaking engagements, and favorite adventures is at www.oregonhiking.com .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best hiking book!, July 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades (Paperback)

This is simply the best hiking books I've ever owned (and I own a lot!) A great selection of hikes, well written descriptions and directions, and excellent maps. I've been on over 30 of Sullivan's recommended hikes and enjoyed them enormously. The photos are beautiful. Get this book, get out and enjoy the wilderness!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One hundred hikes., November 8, 2005

By 

Robert A. Vanderkamp - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades (Paperback)

An indispensable guide to hiking the Oregon Cascades. It contains all the information that you will need to find your way around in these spectacular mountains. The information on lodging and camping is also very helpful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gift That Keeps on Giving, August 11, 2009

By 

Daniel Murphy "Dan Murphy" (Redmond, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades (Paperback)

Some books open a whole new world to the reader, and this well-written, highly informative, good-humored hiker's guide is one of them. I bought an earlier version when I first moved to Central Oregon, coming from Central California. In short order this book helped me see more of Central Oregon than many lifetime natives had experienced. The clear descriptions of how to get to the destinations, the tips on wildlife and plant life, the simple rating systems, the symbols for dog and kid friendly hikes: Wow! My life is richer for this book! This is a can't miss book, and it is also a whoppingly good gift idea for any friend that is either going to move to or visit Central Oregon.