Trail Talk – August 2023

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing views.” ~ E. Abbey

Our general impression of views is that they are for looking far and wide. Vistas is a word that feels more inclusive, if you will. And why not? Those individuals brave enough and tenacious enough to climb to the overlooks will be rewarded. Getting to the high ground is the general recipe for enjoying these show-stopping panoramas.

Located in a corner of the Bear Creek Valley, Jacksonville is nestled cheek by jowl to surrounding hills and mountains. And, the city has wisely preserved thousands of acres in these surrounding areas in both The Woodlands and Forest Park. To the envy of many larger communities, her citizens have ready access to these vistas.

Within city limits proper, views of the valley are available from both Cemetery Hill and at Panorama Point in the Britt Woods. Clear days provide glimpses of the features that define the inter-valley and Cascade Mountain provinces of geologic renown. Table Rocks, Crater Lake Rim (the remnants of historic Mount Mazama), Mt. McLoughlin (Mt. Pitt to long-time locals), Roxy Ann Butte, and Grizzly Peak define the northern and eastern skyline. At about 2000 feet of elevation, these views allow a fairly comprehensive look at the valley floor.

For those brave souls looking for the ‘crooked, winding, lonesome’ (but seldom dangerous), trails of Edward Abbey’s exhortation, then the Forest Park trails are the avenues of fulfillment. A climb up to the Twin Peaks area will bring intrepid souls to more expansive views of the High Cascades from the Cascade Crest Shelter. Continuing to the Upper Twin Peak bench, on a clear crisp day when snow still abounds on the high peaks, the eagle-eyed visitor can see past Diamond Peak to South Sister.

Turning our focus to the south, the strenuous climb up Knobcone Pine Trail to the Knobcone Pine or Grandview bench provides a rare sighting for our valley residents, where Mt. Ashland actually appears to the right of Wagner Butte along the Siskiyou Crest. Additional views of the Siskiyou Crest, and Dutchman Peak in particular are also found along the Siskiyou Trail. However, for the traveler willing to push on a bit farther, heading up toward Arrowhead Pass and out toward China Ditch, one finds the Red Buttes bench, where one can glimpse this remarkable, rugged range that is situated in the upper Applegate Watershed, just across the border in California.

But sometimes the most interesting view is not the vista. Watch your feet as you step along. There—that looks like a broken shoelace on the trail. No, it’s our friend, the ring-necked snake. Dark grey-green on the dorsal side, one is shocked by the flame orange belly, especially when this critter is frightened and wads itself up like a twist of yarn in its defensive posture. To share the trail with such a spectacular companion certainly makes one less lonesome, and I’m certain Edward Abbey would agree.