3/18/12 Molalla River Hike & Logging Update

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mileagemike25000
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Joined: February 8th, 2012, 7:40 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

3/18/12 Molalla River Hike & Logging Update

Post by mileagemike25000 » March 18th, 2012, 8:27 pm

We weren't quite sure whether to go and check out the Molalla River Trails since we knew it was being logged. We visited earlier in the year and found signs up that warned of logging and huge fines! We had heard that it was now open but that logging operations should be completed by the end of March. It seemed like as good a time as any to check it out!

The day was a total mix of weather and the most memorable part of the hike was the sound of helicopters. We were going to start the hike at the middle of the recreation area but found the helicopter(s) seemed to be overhead and were very noisy. The parking area at this location was just a staging area for logging trucks!
1 Parking area across from gate.JPG
We almost bagged the hike and went to Table Rock Wilderness but needed to get home quickly after the hike so we traveled north a bit to a different entry point. This parking area seemed to be an entry point for horse trailers as well as hikers or bikers!
2 Parking at horse staging area.JPG
I couldn't tell you all the trails we went on but we initially hiked up to the Huckleberry Trail where everything looked pretty normal.
3 Huckleberry Trail.JPG
We then went up a few other trails and ended up on the Rim Trail. There were a few areas where you could look over the barbed wire fence onto the private lands.
4 View from Rim Trail of Private Lands.JPG
During the hike we came across several bridges that crossed streams.
5 Bridge over stream.JPG
And there was no shortage of mud and standing water, but we never had to turn around or take out our inflatable boat :lol:.
6 Water-Mud on trail.JPG
But we continued hiking and found most of the trails pleasant with many nice water features for eye candy!
7 Trail.JPG
8 Stream.JPG
And after a while we reached Annie's Cabin where everything looked good despite hearing the helicopters get louder as we approached the active logging area. I should mention that they appeared to be logging today although I heard no chainsaws. Perhaps they were only staging logs for pickup?
9 Annie's Cabin.JPG
After a brief rest at one of the picnic tables we continued on down the trail (south) and reached a sharp bend to the left with a nice creek.
10 Rushing Creek.JPG
And we continued to walk up the trail until we reached a bend to the right and finally found the beginning of the logging area! The pictures really don't depict how much debris was on the ground or under the remaining canopy, but it was better than clearcut.
11 Selective Logging Area #1.JPG
12 Selective Logging Area #2.JPG
We stopped to assess the damage and noticed that the Squirrel Creek Loop trail was still accessible despite the logging. Perhaps they left the trails intact after the logging?

We started our hike back to the car and stopped at a viewpoint to look out at the Mt's. This was the only significant view during the hike!
13 Only Mt view.JPG
And while we continued hiking it began to hail in a big way!
14 Hail during hike back to car.JPG
And then the sun came out!
15 And some sun along the way back.JPG
And as we continued hiking the clouds once again covered the sky and it began to snow very lightly, but nothing significant!

Our assessment of the logging operation was that although it was very loud all day, from the helicopter(s), there appeared to be no logging on the north side of the Molalla River Trail System. There are no longer any signs telling people to keep out but call the forest service if you are concerned. The road along the Molalla corridor is clear and parking appears to be abundant, except for the area wher the picture was taken.

Good luck on your hike and be prepared for the mud and water!

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