Oregon Hikers

On Friday we parked at the lonely trailhead on Road 2207 and hiked French Creek Ridge out to Phantom Natural Bridge. Someone has done some patchy brushing out - looks like it was done at some point earlier in the season - but whoever did it jumped around and didn't do one consistent stretch. They also left the cut branches ON the trail in many places:



This trail needs some TLC. There are some very brushy sections, but there are also spots where the tread is in need of repair.

Wow, this one has really slipped - - it had been freshly brushed out by a group from the Youth Conservation Corps 10 or 15 years ago, and the trail was in great shape past Marten Buttes and beyond. Too bad, it's a neat hike with some decent views. I'm guessing that road 2207 is still a bit of an adventure? That exposed climb as you near the trailhead is pretty intense with occasional rockfall and washouts to keep your attention

Thanks for the update

Kevin

kelkev wrote: ↑

September 17th, 2019, 4:43 pm

I'm guessing that road 2207 is still a bit of an adventure? That exposed climb as you near the trailhead is pretty intense with occasional rockfall and washouts to keep your attention

We fortunately did not encounter any washouts, but we definitely saw rocks scattered across the road. There's that one cliff-hugging section where I wouldn't want to encounter anyone coming the other way!

Pfft, FR 2207 is nothing. You want adventure, drive out Forest Road 2223 to the actual Phantom Natural Bridge trailhead.

removed

Yep, cut branches on the trail usually means guerilla maintenance - appreciated, but they need to throw them off. There's a Willamette NF trail crew based in Detroit. Maybe they can take this one on before the season is over . . .

adamschneider wrote: ↑

September 17th, 2019, 8:56 pm

Pfft, FR 2207 is nothing. You want adventure, drive out Forest Road 2223 to the actual Phantom Natural Bridge trailhead.

We were wondering about that route! Looked pretty straightforward on the map, but I can see that it would have been an interesting drive!

justpeachy wrote: ↑

September 19th, 2019, 6:46 am

adamschneider wrote: ↑

September 17th, 2019, 8:56 pm

Pfft, FR 2207 is nothing. You want adventure, drive out Forest Road 2223 to the actual Phantom Natural Bridge trailhead.

We were wondering about that route! Looked pretty straightforward on the map, but I can see that it would have been an interesting drive!

My little Toyota Yaris made it all the way to the last junction. I parked there, because that final stream crossing (the one in the photo I posted) looked pretty rocky. I probably could have made it, but at that point I was only 200 yards from the end of the road.

adamschneider wrote: ↑

September 17th, 2019, 8:56 pm

Pfft, FR 2207 is nothing. You want adventure, drive out Forest Road 2223 to the actual Phantom Natural Bridge trailhead.

How did you make it around that boulder in the first photo?

Webfoot wrote: ↑

September 20th, 2019, 3:52 pm

adamschneider wrote: ↑

September 17th, 2019, 8:56 pm

Pfft, FR 2207 is nothing. You want adventure, drive out Forest Road 2223 to the actual Phantom Natural Bridge trailhead.

How did you make it around that boulder in the first photo?

Very carefully. (This is the one advantage to having a small car on funky roads: I can get around stuff.)