Difference between revisions of "Oaks to Wetlands Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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In just a few steps, you'll come to a recreated [[Cathlapotle Plankhouse|Native American plankhouse]]. When Lewis and Clark traveled through this area in 1806, they paused at a large village named Cathlapotle, near here on the shore of the Columbia River. Cathlapotle today is one of the best-preserved Native American sites in the northwest United States, although it is not open to visitors. This plankhouse is an authentic recreation built in early 2000s, mostly by volunteer labor. The plank house is open from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends from mid-April to early October, when there are volunteers to guide and elucidate. | In just a few steps, you'll come to a recreated [[Cathlapotle Plankhouse|Native American plankhouse]]. When Lewis and Clark traveled through this area in 1806, they paused at a large village named Cathlapotle, near here on the shore of the Columbia River. Cathlapotle today is one of the best-preserved Native American sites in the northwest United States, although it is not open to visitors. This plankhouse is an authentic recreation built in early 2000s, mostly by volunteer labor. The plank house is open from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends from mid-April to early October, when there are volunteers to guide and elucidate. | ||
| − | Beyond the plankhouse, the trail continues north. You'll immediately pass the unsigned junction with the graveled Carty Lake Trail, which is open seasonally (see the [[Carty Lake Hike]]). To your left, you'll see [[Duck Lake]]. Then, in a short distance there's a [[Ridgefield Loop Junction|trail junction]] where the ends of this loop trail meet. For this hike follow the arrow and take the right hand, higher fork. The trail weaves through native oaks with bows that stretch impossibly long horizontal distances. Small signs label various species of native plants. In many places, the trail is cut through invasive blackberries. Look for rabbits and small birds making a life under the tangles of berry vines. Where the two legs of the loop come together, there's a stone-walled viewpoint to the left at a massive 400-year-old oak. An interpretive signs explains that in the 1880s the area was used to quarry basalt to pave Portland's streets. On the main trail, cross a small wooden vehicle bridge, and bear right again when the trails separate once more. | + | Beyond the plankhouse, the trail continues north. You'll immediately pass the unsigned junction with the graveled Carty Lake Trail, which is open seasonally (see the [[Carty Lake Hike]]). To your left, you'll see [[Duck Lake]]. Then, in a short distance there's a [[Ridgefield Loop Junction|trail junction]] where the ends of this loop trail meet. For this hike follow the arrow and take the right hand, higher fork. The trail weaves through native oaks with bows that stretch impossibly long horizontal distances. Small signs label various species of native plants. In many places, the trail is cut through invasive blackberries. Look for rabbits and small birds making a life under the tangles of berry vines. Where the two legs of the loop come together, there's a [[Oak Viewpoint|stone-walled viewpoint]] to the left at a massive 400-year-old oak. An interpretive signs explains that in the 1880s the area was used to quarry basalt to pave Portland's streets. On the main trail, cross a small wooden vehicle bridge, and bear right again when the trails separate once more. |
| − | Cross a weedy, grassy expanse where you can see the stumps of recently logged Douglas-firs. The cedars and oaks were left standing, but there are large open areas now. The trail crosses a small creek and winds around into an oak wood. After the path dips a little, you'll loop left on a higher contour than the old route, which often flooded in the wet season. Pass across an open savanna with plantings of young oaks to the right. Cross another wooden vehicle bridge near an apple tree. Close the loop and pass the stone-walled viewpoint before bearing right on a paved universal access trail. There are more oak plantings before you pass [[Duck Lake]] and then the trail to [[Carty Lake]] below the [[Cathlapotle Plankhouse]]. | + | Cross a weedy, grassy expanse where you can see the stumps of recently logged Douglas-firs. The cedars and oaks were left standing, but there are large open areas now. The trail crosses a small creek and winds around into an oak wood. After the path dips a little, you'll loop left on a higher contour than the old route, which often flooded in the wet season. Pass across an open savanna with plantings of young oaks to the right. Cross another wooden vehicle bridge near an apple tree. Close the loop and pass the [[Oak Viewpoint|stone-walled viewpoint]] before bearing right on a paved universal access trail. There are more oak plantings before you pass [[Duck Lake]] and then the trail to [[Carty Lake]] below the [[Cathlapotle Plankhouse]]. |
Revision as of 00:48, 27 September 2020
,_Ridgefield.jpg)
- Start point: Ridgefield Trailhead
- End point: Ridgefield Camas Rock
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 80 feet
- High Point: 75 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
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Contents |
Hike Description
The 5,217 acre Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge consists of five units. This hike explores northern part of the Carty Unit. The Oaks to Wetlands loop trail here is open year-round. You'll pass under enormous and regal spreading oaks, through thickets rustling with rabbits, and come near scabland lakes whose verges bloom with wildflowers in April and May. Look for signs of beaver although you're more likely to see nutria. Waterfowl winter on these lakes and many species breed here as well. Bald eagles and other raptors can often be seen flapping or gliding overhead. Note that You can connect this hike with the Carty Lake Hike when that seasonal trail is open (May 1st to September 30th).The Oaks to Wetlands Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail.
Note that there have been a lot of changes to this part of the refuge in recent years. A project scheduled to be completed in 2020 involved the logging of most of the Douglas-firs in the Oaks to Wetlands area. The purpose is to restore the oak savanna woodlands that are characteristic of these basalt scablands, a process known as "oak release." Washington Trails Association volunteers have been rerouting the main part of the Oaks to Wetlands loop, shifting sections that once flooded in winter to higher ground. Other trails have been decommissioned. At the time of this writing (2020), you can no longer access Boot Lake or Camas Rock. A new refuge headquarters building is being constructed at the trailhead.
The hike starts at the Ridgefield Trailhead, about a mile north of the town of Ridgefield. To your left is the site for the new refuge headquarters. The trail immediately crosses the universal access Ridgefield Railroad Bridge over the BNSF Railway. You can expect to see trains from BNSF, Union Pacific and Amtrak rumbling by, but they cause surprisingly little commotion. The footbridge can be slick in icy weather, but solid handrails and a wide, flat concrete tread keep things pretty easy. There's a long, gradual ramp down on the west side of the tracks. You'll pass large spreading oaks on the left and an oak on the right shades a free library (!).
In just a few steps, you'll come to a recreated Native American plankhouse. When Lewis and Clark traveled through this area in 1806, they paused at a large village named Cathlapotle, near here on the shore of the Columbia River. Cathlapotle today is one of the best-preserved Native American sites in the northwest United States, although it is not open to visitors. This plankhouse is an authentic recreation built in early 2000s, mostly by volunteer labor. The plank house is open from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends from mid-April to early October, when there are volunteers to guide and elucidate.
Beyond the plankhouse, the trail continues north. You'll immediately pass the unsigned junction with the graveled Carty Lake Trail, which is open seasonally (see the Carty Lake Hike). To your left, you'll see Duck Lake. Then, in a short distance there's a trail junction where the ends of this loop trail meet. For this hike follow the arrow and take the right hand, higher fork. The trail weaves through native oaks with bows that stretch impossibly long horizontal distances. Small signs label various species of native plants. In many places, the trail is cut through invasive blackberries. Look for rabbits and small birds making a life under the tangles of berry vines. Where the two legs of the loop come together, there's a stone-walled viewpoint to the left at a massive 400-year-old oak. An interpretive signs explains that in the 1880s the area was used to quarry basalt to pave Portland's streets. On the main trail, cross a small wooden vehicle bridge, and bear right again when the trails separate once more.
Cross a weedy, grassy expanse where you can see the stumps of recently logged Douglas-firs. The cedars and oaks were left standing, but there are large open areas now. The trail crosses a small creek and winds around into an oak wood. After the path dips a little, you'll loop left on a higher contour than the old route, which often flooded in the wet season. Pass across an open savanna with plantings of young oaks to the right. Cross another wooden vehicle bridge near an apple tree. Close the loop and pass the stone-walled viewpoint before bearing right on a paved universal access trail. There are more oak plantings before you pass Duck Lake and then the trail to Carty Lake below the Cathlapotle Plankhouse.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- There is a $3 fee per person at the entrance station kiosk as you drive in to the River 'S' Unit. Envelopes are available at the kiosk and the stub must be carried with you. All of the fees collected remain on-site. A host of passes are accepted including:
- Ridgefield Annual Refuge Pass ($15)
- Federal Duck Stamp ($25)
- Interagency Annual Pass ($80)
- Interagency Senior Pass/Golden Age Passport ($20)
- Interagency Access Pass/Golden Access Passport (free)
- Interagency Volunteer Pass (free)
- Interagency Military Pass (free)
- Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the refuge
- Refuge open sunrise to sunset
- Universal access trail as far as the Oak Viewpoint
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Oaks to Wetlands Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Oaks to Wetlands Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington by William L. Sullivan
- Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington by Susan Elderkin
- Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- Take a Walk: Portland by Brian Barker
- Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine edited by Michael C. Houck and M.J. Cody
More Links
- Oaks to Wetlands Trail (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
- Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
- Oaks to Wetlands Trail Loop (All Trails)
- Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge-Oaks to Wetlands Trail (Hike It Baby)
- Oaks to Wetlands Trail (NRT Database)
- "Oak restoration on track at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge" (The Columbian)
- Oak Release (Refuge 20/20)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)