Difference between revisions of "Marys Peak Meadow Edge Loop Hike"
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[[Category:Siuslaw National Forest]] | [[Category:Siuslaw National Forest]] | ||
[[Category:Easy Hikes]] | [[Category:Easy Hikes]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Wildflower Hikes]] |
[[Category:Family Hikes]] | [[Category:Family Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Loop Hikes]] | [[Category:Loop Hikes]] | ||
− | |||
[[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]] | [[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Hikes]] | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
− | |||
[[Image:Meadowhike.JPG|thumb|400px|Heading down to the meadow edge trail from the summit ''(cfm)'']] | [[Image:Meadowhike.JPG|thumb|400px|Heading down to the meadow edge trail from the summit ''(cfm)'']] | ||
[[Image:Meadowedge trail.JPG|thumb|250px|The trail through old growth Noble fir forest ''(cfm)'']] | [[Image:Meadowedge trail.JPG|thumb|250px|The trail through old growth Noble fir forest ''(cfm)'']] | ||
[[Image:MeadowEdge3,jpg.jpg|thumb|250px|Trillium on the Meadow Edge Trail ''(bobcat)'']] | [[Image:MeadowEdge3,jpg.jpg|thumb|250px|Trillium on the Meadow Edge Trail ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
+ | [[Image:Summit, looking northwest, Mary's Peak.jpg|thumb|250px|Looking northwest from the summit of Marys Peak ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
+ | [[Image:MeadowedgeTrailMap.png|thumb|400px|Map showing the Meadow Edge Trail ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: USFS]] | ||
− | {{Start point|Marys Peak Campground}} | + | {{Start point|Marys Peak Campground Trailhead}} |
− | * End point: [[Marys Peak | + | * End point: [[Marys Peak]] |
− | + | * Hike Type: Loop with spur | |
− | * Hike Type: Loop | + | {{Distance|2.2 miles}} |
− | {{Distance| | + | {{Elevation gain|470 feet}} |
− | {{Elevation gain| | + | * High point: 4,097 feet |
{{Difficulty|Easy}} | {{Difficulty|Easy}} | ||
* Seasons: April through December | * Seasons: April through December | ||
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
− | This is a wonderful little loop in an old growth | + | This is a wonderful little interpretive loop in an old growth noble fir forest near the summit of [[Marys Peak]], with a short spur leading up to the peak itself. [[Marys Peak]] is the highest mountain in Oregon's Coast Range and offers wide-ranging views on a clear day. The combination of open meadows and old-growth forest groves offers great wildflower viewing in the spring, and the area is part of the Marys Peak Scenic Botanical Special Interest Area. |
− | + | Begin at the parking area just outside the entrance to the [[Marys Peak Campground Trailhead|Marys Peak Campground]]. Park here and walk into the small campground to find the trailhead. The trail immediately enters the forest and you will climb up a short way and come to the beginning of the loop. You can hike in either direction, but I suggest turning left, then going clockwise. The trail rises through an area of old blowdown created by a 1996 storm and then passes along the edge of a meadow before reentering the woods. The vegetation is thick at the bottom of the the trail near a small stream, but as you climb, making a couple of switchbacks, the understory will thin out and give you a good view of the stately noble firs around you. Forest wildflowers that bloom in this pretty green understory include wood-sorrel, vanilla leaf, trillium, and fairy bells. | |
+ | |||
+ | For the side trip to the summit, stay right at the first junction, which leads to the gravel summit road, but turn left at the second junction to hike up a grassy meadow where violets and glacier lilies bloom in June. When you reach the top of [[Marys Peak]], enjoy the 360-degree views up and down the Coast Range, west to the Pacific Ocean, and east across the Willamette Valley to [[Mount Jefferson]], the [[Three Sisters]] and, far to the south, [[Diamond Peak]]. Looking north, you should be able to see [[Mount Rainier]], [[Mount Saint Helens]], and [[Mount Hood]]. Although there is a relay station here with antennae, the meadows make a perfect spot for a picnic on a warm dry day. Phlox, larkspur, paintbrush, and desert-parsley flower in this sunny location in late spring. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Return to the loop the way you came to the summit, and turn left. You'll pass a small kiosk that dispenses trail guides for this interpretive trail. At 1.2 miles on the loop trail, the path heads out into the western meadow where you can view the west spur of [[Marys Peak]] below you, the summit above you, and the whole world beyond! Enjoy the view before switchbacking into the dark forest of silver and noble firs, following the path in three more switchbacks through a beautiful oxalis carpet. Cross Parker Creek on a footbridge, and pass through a salmonberry thicket. Now you'll be heading up gradually. At a junction with a map, bear left to return to the campground trailhead. | ||
− | |||
=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
+ | {{Hikemaps|latitude=44.5080|longitude=-123.5546}} | ||
+ | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5426590.pdf Marys Peak Area Trails (USFS)] | ||
* Sky Island Graphics: ''Marys Peak - McDonald Forest Recreation Guide'' | * Sky Island Graphics: ''Marys Peak - McDonald Forest Recreation Guide'' | ||
− | |||
* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Siuslaw National Forest'' | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Siuslaw National Forest'' | ||
− | |||
− | |||
=== Regulations or Restrictions, etc. === | === Regulations or Restrictions, etc. === | ||
− | * Northwest Forest Pass required | + | * Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required |
− | {{TripReports|Marys Peak}} | + | {{TripReports|Marys Peak Meadow Edge}} |
− | {{RelatedDiscussions|Marys Peak}} | + | {{RelatedDiscussions|Marys Peak Meadow Edge}} |
=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
+ | * ''100 Hikes: Oregon Coast'' by William L. Sullivan | ||
+ | * ''Hiking Oregon's History'' by William L. Sullivan | ||
+ | * ''Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon'' by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness | ||
+ | * ''Best Hikes with Children: Western & Central Oregon'' by Bonnie Henderson | ||
+ | * ''Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region'' by George Wuerthner | ||
* ''Wild in the Willamette'' edited by Lorraine Anderson with Abby Phillips Metzger | * ''Wild in the Willamette'' edited by Lorraine Anderson with Abby Phillips Metzger | ||
* ''Hiking Oregon's Geology'' by Ellen Morris Bishop | * ''Hiking Oregon's Geology'' by Ellen Morris Bishop | ||
* ''Corvallis Trails'' by Margie C. Powell | * ''Corvallis Trails'' by Margie C. Powell | ||
* [http://cbcpubliclibrary.net/localhistory/Corvallis/A%20Guide%20to%20Trails%20in%20the%20Corvallis%20Area.pdf ''A Guide to Trails in the Corvallis Area''] by Phillip R. Hays | * [http://cbcpubliclibrary.net/localhistory/Corvallis/A%20Guide%20to%20Trails%20in%20the%20Corvallis%20Area.pdf ''A Guide to Trails in the Corvallis Area''] by Phillip R. Hays | ||
+ | * ''Day Hikes in the Pacific Northwest'' by Don J. Scarmuzzi | ||
+ | * ''Siuslaw Forest Hikes: A Guide to Oregon's Central Coast Range Trails'' by Irene & Dick Lilja | ||
+ | * ''Best Short Hikes in Northwest Oregon'' by Rhonda & George Ostertag | ||
+ | * ''75 Hikes in Oregon's Coast Range & Siskiyous'' by Rhonda & George Ostertag | ||
+ | * ''Oregon Campgrounds Hiking Guide'' by Rhonda & George Ostertag | ||
+ | * ''Oregon Coast Camping & Hiking'' by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill | ||
=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
− | * [ | + | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recarea/?recid=42321 Meadowedge Trail #1325 (USFS)] |
− | * [https://www. | + | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recreation/recarea/?recid=42311 Marys Peak (USFS)] |
− | * [https://www.gazettetimes.com/ | + | * [http://therighttrail.org/trails/meadow-edge Meadow Edge (The Right Trail)] |
+ | * [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/marys-peak-summit-loop Mary's Peak Summit Loop (All Trails)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.oregonhiking.com/oregon-adventures/100-hikes-on-the-oregon-coast/central-coast-hikes/marys-peak-hike Marys Peak (Oregon Adventures)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.gazettetimes.com/philomathexpress/sports/summer-hiking-series-meadow-edge-trail/article_0f8a092f-f868-586c-a0ce-067c9983a9be.html Meadow Edge Trail (Gazette-Times)] | ||
+ | * [https://wildflowers.russellramblings.com/2019/02/marys-peak-botanical-special-interest-area/ Marys Peak Botanical Special Interest Area (Wildflower Hikes)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/life/2014/04/17/marys-peak-is-a-coast-range-jewel/7848269/ "Marys Peak is a Coast Range jewel" (Statesman Journal)] | ||
+ | * [http://oregonwildflowers.org/viewlocation.php?ID=31 Marys Peak (OregonWildflowers.org)] | ||
+ | * [https://nwwildflowers.com/places/Marys_Peak Marys Peak (Northwest Wildflowers)] | ||
+ | |||
=== Contributors === | === Contributors === | ||
* [[User:CFM|CFM]] (creator) | * [[User:CFM|CFM]] (creator) |
Latest revision as of 22:54, 30 December 2022
- Start point: Marys Peak Campground Trailhead
- End point: Marys Peak
- Hike Type: Loop with spur
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 470 feet
- High point: 4,097 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: April through December
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
This is a wonderful little interpretive loop in an old growth noble fir forest near the summit of Marys Peak, with a short spur leading up to the peak itself. Marys Peak is the highest mountain in Oregon's Coast Range and offers wide-ranging views on a clear day. The combination of open meadows and old-growth forest groves offers great wildflower viewing in the spring, and the area is part of the Marys Peak Scenic Botanical Special Interest Area.
Begin at the parking area just outside the entrance to the Marys Peak Campground. Park here and walk into the small campground to find the trailhead. The trail immediately enters the forest and you will climb up a short way and come to the beginning of the loop. You can hike in either direction, but I suggest turning left, then going clockwise. The trail rises through an area of old blowdown created by a 1996 storm and then passes along the edge of a meadow before reentering the woods. The vegetation is thick at the bottom of the the trail near a small stream, but as you climb, making a couple of switchbacks, the understory will thin out and give you a good view of the stately noble firs around you. Forest wildflowers that bloom in this pretty green understory include wood-sorrel, vanilla leaf, trillium, and fairy bells.
For the side trip to the summit, stay right at the first junction, which leads to the gravel summit road, but turn left at the second junction to hike up a grassy meadow where violets and glacier lilies bloom in June. When you reach the top of Marys Peak, enjoy the 360-degree views up and down the Coast Range, west to the Pacific Ocean, and east across the Willamette Valley to Mount Jefferson, the Three Sisters and, far to the south, Diamond Peak. Looking north, you should be able to see Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Hood. Although there is a relay station here with antennae, the meadows make a perfect spot for a picnic on a warm dry day. Phlox, larkspur, paintbrush, and desert-parsley flower in this sunny location in late spring.
Return to the loop the way you came to the summit, and turn left. You'll pass a small kiosk that dispenses trail guides for this interpretive trail. At 1.2 miles on the loop trail, the path heads out into the western meadow where you can view the west spur of Marys Peak below you, the summit above you, and the whole world beyond! Enjoy the view before switchbacking into the dark forest of silver and noble firs, following the path in three more switchbacks through a beautiful oxalis carpet. Cross Parker Creek on a footbridge, and pass through a salmonberry thicket. Now you'll be heading up gradually. At a junction with a map, bear left to return to the campground trailhead.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Marys Peak Area Trails (USFS)
- Sky Island Graphics: Marys Peak - McDonald Forest Recreation Guide
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Siuslaw National Forest
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Marys Peak Meadow Edge
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Marys Peak Meadow Edge
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes: Oregon Coast by William L. Sullivan
- Hiking Oregon's History by William L. Sullivan
- Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness
- Best Hikes with Children: Western & Central Oregon by Bonnie Henderson
- Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region by George Wuerthner
- Wild in the Willamette edited by Lorraine Anderson with Abby Phillips Metzger
- Hiking Oregon's Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop
- Corvallis Trails by Margie C. Powell
- A Guide to Trails in the Corvallis Area by Phillip R. Hays
- Day Hikes in the Pacific Northwest by Don J. Scarmuzzi
- Siuslaw Forest Hikes: A Guide to Oregon's Central Coast Range Trails by Irene & Dick Lilja
- Best Short Hikes in Northwest Oregon by Rhonda & George Ostertag
- 75 Hikes in Oregon's Coast Range & Siskiyous by Rhonda & George Ostertag
- Oregon Campgrounds Hiking Guide by Rhonda & George Ostertag
- Oregon Coast Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill
More Links
- Meadowedge Trail #1325 (USFS)
- Marys Peak (USFS)
- Meadow Edge (The Right Trail)
- Mary's Peak Summit Loop (All Trails)
- Marys Peak (Oregon Adventures)
- Meadow Edge Trail (Gazette-Times)
- Marys Peak Botanical Special Interest Area (Wildflower Hikes)
- "Marys Peak is a Coast Range jewel" (Statesman Journal)
- Marys Peak (OregonWildflowers.org)
- Marys Peak (Northwest Wildflowers)
Contributors
- CFM (creator)