Big Bottom - 5/5/2015
Posted: May 8th, 2015, 2:38 pm
I only learned about the old growth at Big Bottom in the weeks leading up to my trip down to Oregon this week. There isn't a ton of information about it but what little I did see made me eager to visit.
No problems on the drive to the "trail head". I don't know how you miss a spur road but I managed to do it but eventually figured out the error of my ways. On this point, I will say that the USGS topo map is surprisingly accurate in his area. The spur road location and appearance of one of the side channels of the Clackamas seemed to correspond well with my GPS in the field.
The "trailhead" is at right. Look for the flagging on the lefthand side of the road as you drive up.
Despite the rain on the west side, I enjoyed partly sunny skies with an occasional few drips. Not a whole lot in bloom in the understory; it seemed to still be awakening from winter. Contrary to one previous description, I think I enjoyed the old growth section located after the side channel and wetland. I would have gone further if not for one tremendous windfall which blocked things for quite a distance.
Approaching the entrance of the old growth grove
I happened across a number of Fairy Slippers at one portion of the "trail"
I would have gone a little further but the trail/road is blocked by this massive windfall. It's 5-6' in diameter and makes for a long detour around it
Pano from on top of the windfall
I wanted to visit the fabled "largest Western Red Cedar" but didn't make it. I had trouble finding the way path off of the road. One trip report here claimed that there was a small aluminum diamond tacked to a tree but I did not see that.
Another source claims the waypath is located at the true entrance to Big Bottom. I think this is correct and I might have found this path. I found some new-ish looking orange flagging that marked a path through the forest. I followed about 7-8 flags until I reached a tremendous fallen old growth log at which I didn't find another flag. Could this have been the log crossing that is required to reach the cedar?
The "entrance" to the waypath at right. You can barely make out an orange flag hanging off the tree
Next segment of flagging..
Next segment..
Next segment..
Last flag I saw next to this massive windfall log
Oh well. Complete solitude and VERY minimal human sounds (one car and a distant short blast of a logging horn). What a wonderful area.
No problems on the drive to the "trail head". I don't know how you miss a spur road but I managed to do it but eventually figured out the error of my ways. On this point, I will say that the USGS topo map is surprisingly accurate in his area. The spur road location and appearance of one of the side channels of the Clackamas seemed to correspond well with my GPS in the field.
The "trailhead" is at right. Look for the flagging on the lefthand side of the road as you drive up.
Despite the rain on the west side, I enjoyed partly sunny skies with an occasional few drips. Not a whole lot in bloom in the understory; it seemed to still be awakening from winter. Contrary to one previous description, I think I enjoyed the old growth section located after the side channel and wetland. I would have gone further if not for one tremendous windfall which blocked things for quite a distance.
Approaching the entrance of the old growth grove
I happened across a number of Fairy Slippers at one portion of the "trail"
I would have gone a little further but the trail/road is blocked by this massive windfall. It's 5-6' in diameter and makes for a long detour around it
Pano from on top of the windfall
I wanted to visit the fabled "largest Western Red Cedar" but didn't make it. I had trouble finding the way path off of the road. One trip report here claimed that there was a small aluminum diamond tacked to a tree but I did not see that.
Another source claims the waypath is located at the true entrance to Big Bottom. I think this is correct and I might have found this path. I found some new-ish looking orange flagging that marked a path through the forest. I followed about 7-8 flags until I reached a tremendous fallen old growth log at which I didn't find another flag. Could this have been the log crossing that is required to reach the cedar?
The "entrance" to the waypath at right. You can barely make out an orange flag hanging off the tree
Next segment of flagging..
Next segment..
Next segment..
Last flag I saw next to this massive windfall log
Oh well. Complete solitude and VERY minimal human sounds (one car and a distant short blast of a logging horn). What a wonderful area.