Difference between revisions of "Waterloo Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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[[Category:Creek Hikes]] | [[Category:Creek Hikes]] | ||
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| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Geese at a riffle, Waterloo County Park.jpg|thumb|400px|Canada geese at a riffle on the South Santiam River, Waterloo County Park ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Steps, Waterloo County Park.jpg|thumb|250px|Steps to a forested bench, Waterloo County Park ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Skipper on thistle, Waterloo County Park.jpg|thumb|250px|Skipper on a bull thistle, Waterloo County Park ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:WaterlooLoopMap.png|thumb|400px|The loop around Waterloo County Park (not a GPS track) ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Google Maps'']] |
{{Start point|Waterloo Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Waterloo Trailhead}} | ||
* End point: Waterloo Campground B Loop | * End point: Waterloo Campground B Loop | ||
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* Hike Type: Loop | * Hike Type: Loop | ||
{{Distance|1.5 miles}} | {{Distance|1.5 miles}} | ||
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Return to the road the way you came, and drop to an ADA fishing platform. Get views up and down river from here, and then continue walking along the edge of a wide grassy expanse under tall cottonwoods. Ground squirrels are numerous here, and their burrows perforate the lawn. You’ll see a covered picnic shelter and some play structures before the trail burrows into snowberry/ blackberry/ hazel thickets. Cross a damaged boat ramp, and resume the trail under rustling cottonwoods and Oregon ash trees. Tracks lead left to the cobbled bars of the South Santiam River and right into the campground. Eventually, the trail curves right up a low bluff. Make a left at a large cottonwood, and emerge at the campground B Loop. Cross the camping area to the other side of the loop, and go right on the loop road. | Return to the road the way you came, and drop to an ADA fishing platform. Get views up and down river from here, and then continue walking along the edge of a wide grassy expanse under tall cottonwoods. Ground squirrels are numerous here, and their burrows perforate the lawn. You’ll see a covered picnic shelter and some play structures before the trail burrows into snowberry/ blackberry/ hazel thickets. Cross a damaged boat ramp, and resume the trail under rustling cottonwoods and Oregon ash trees. Tracks lead left to the cobbled bars of the South Santiam River and right into the campground. Eventually, the trail curves right up a low bluff. Make a left at a large cottonwood, and emerge at the campground B Loop. Cross the camping area to the other side of the loop, and go right on the loop road. | ||
| − | When you come to the campground entrance station, go left past a storage building, and find steps leading up a bluff to the disc golf course. Continue up a second terrace, and bear right along a wide, open corridor. Keep straight, and drop off the bluff to pass under hazel bowers and tall Douglas-firs. Keep left at a junction, and then stay right where another spur trail leads to a disc golf tee and open area shaded by big-leaf maples. Stay on the bluff, ignoring trails to the left and right. | + | When you come to the campground entrance station, go left past a storage building, and find steps leading up a bluff to the disc golf course. Continue up a second terrace, and bear right along a wide, open corridor. Keep straight, and drop off the bluff to pass under hazel bowers and tall Douglas-firs. Keep left at a junction, and then stay right where another spur trail leads to a disc golf tee and open area shaded by big-leaf maples. Stay on the bluff, ignoring trails to the left and right. After passing Tee #3, hike under spreading oak trees to find the trail that leads down to your car. |
Latest revision as of 15:49, 10 February 2020
- Start point: Waterloo Trailhead
- End point: Waterloo Campground B Loop
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 65 feet
- High point: 415 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes, in summer
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Contents |
Hike Description
Waterloo is a 128-acre Linn County Park on the South Santiam River next to the village of Waterloo. Settlement here began with the harnessing of Waterloo Falls, really just a five-foot rapid in the river, for a grist mill. The park itself has large grassy spaces, a two-loop campground, and a one-mile front on the river itself. The main trail loops around the park and passes through its disc gold course. Numerous minor trails and connectors make navigation a little confusing, but the open central space is never far away and often in sight.
You’ll see a hiker sign to the right of the restrooms. Walk up to an avenue of blackberry and ivy-draped alders, and go right. Keep straight at a crossroads to reach the park road. Find the trail on the other side which leads down to a rocky bench on the river from where you can observe the narrows and Waterloo Falls.
Return to the road the way you came, and drop to an ADA fishing platform. Get views up and down river from here, and then continue walking along the edge of a wide grassy expanse under tall cottonwoods. Ground squirrels are numerous here, and their burrows perforate the lawn. You’ll see a covered picnic shelter and some play structures before the trail burrows into snowberry/ blackberry/ hazel thickets. Cross a damaged boat ramp, and resume the trail under rustling cottonwoods and Oregon ash trees. Tracks lead left to the cobbled bars of the South Santiam River and right into the campground. Eventually, the trail curves right up a low bluff. Make a left at a large cottonwood, and emerge at the campground B Loop. Cross the camping area to the other side of the loop, and go right on the loop road.
When you come to the campground entrance station, go left past a storage building, and find steps leading up a bluff to the disc golf course. Continue up a second terrace, and bear right along a wide, open corridor. Keep straight, and drop off the bluff to pass under hazel bowers and tall Douglas-firs. Keep left at a junction, and then stay right where another spur trail leads to a disc golf tee and open area shaded by big-leaf maples. Stay on the bluff, ignoring trails to the left and right. After passing Tee #3, hike under spreading oak trees to find the trail that leads down to your car.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- Dogs on leash
- Day use open dawn to dusk
- Picnic area, restrooms, campground, off-leash area
- Share trails with cyclists and disc golfers
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Waterloo Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Waterloo Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Wild in the Willamette edited by Lorraine Anderson with Abby Phillips Metzger
More Links
- Waterloo County Park (Linn County Parks & Recreation)
- Waterloo Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
- Waterloo Falls on South Santiam River (Oregon Waterfalls)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)