Difference between revisions of "Wild Iris Ridge Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Description === | === Description === | ||
| − | Wild Iris Ridge Park opened in 2017 and became the newest addition to Eugene’s Ridgeline Trail system although it is not yet formally connected to other trails on the ridgeline. Trails make use of a powerline corridor and an easement to connect to expanses of Willamette Valley oak savanna blooming with wildflowers in the spring. A loop on old roads at the end of the new trail system extends the hike and offers views to [[Spencer Butte]] and north across Bethel-Danebo. | + | Wild Iris Ridge Park opened in 2017 and became the newest addition to Eugene’s Ridgeline Trail system although it is not yet formally connected to other trails on the ridgeline. Trails make use of a powerline corridor and an easement to connect to expanses of Willamette Valley oak savanna blooming with wildflowers in the spring. A loop on old roads at the end of the new trail system extends the hike and offers views to [[Spencer Butte (Eugene)|Spencer Butte]] and north across Bethel-Danebo. |
Walk under the spreading oak at the trailhead and past a gate. A wide gravel track leads towards a hill, with a llama pasture on the right and imposing new mansions on the left. At a band of tall oaks above a small creek, go left at a junction to join a new and narrower gravel path. Look for browsing deer in this area. Head up through a meadow and into an oak/madrone wood. Ox-eye daisies dominate in the meadow in summer, but in spring you’ll seeing blooming cluster lilies and checkermallow. Wind up across another open meadow, and pass above a small concrete cistern. Drop to a pair of footbridges where irises bloom in early spring. | Walk under the spreading oak at the trailhead and past a gate. A wide gravel track leads towards a hill, with a llama pasture on the right and imposing new mansions on the left. At a band of tall oaks above a small creek, go left at a junction to join a new and narrower gravel path. Look for browsing deer in this area. Head up through a meadow and into an oak/madrone wood. Ox-eye daisies dominate in the meadow in summer, but in spring you’ll seeing blooming cluster lilies and checkermallow. Wind up across another open meadow, and pass above a small concrete cistern. Drop to a pair of footbridges where irises bloom in early spring. | ||
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At a fence, go left under the powerlines to a junction where the trail branches off for Bailey View Drive. The path snakes up through an oak/madrone wood offering views down to the sprawl of west Eugene. At a shady copse of oak, madrone, and Douglas-fir, come to a junction, and make a left to begin the loop section of the hike. | At a fence, go left under the powerlines to a junction where the trail branches off for Bailey View Drive. The path snakes up through an oak/madrone wood offering views down to the sprawl of west Eugene. At a shady copse of oak, madrone, and Douglas-fir, come to a junction, and make a left to begin the loop section of the hike. | ||
| − | Switchback up a meadow slope three times, getting views north to distant [[Marys Peak]]. Pass a ponderosa pine, and reach the kiosk at the [[Bailey View Drive Trailhead]]. Go right here on the wide Loop Road. Views to the right include Murray Hill and Bailey Hill. Pass under tall ponderosa pines, and then head up to a spur leading out to a trailhead at Summit Sky Boulevard. Continue circling around on the grassy track, which is verged by oaks and big-leaf maples. Look up to your left to a water tank, and keep straight to get a view of [[Spencer Butte]] to the south. Descend to stay right at a junction, and cross a shady oak/ash draw. Pass another road junction, and then go right up the Wild Iris Ridge Trail, which rises to the junction that begins the loop. | + | Switchback up a meadow slope three times, getting views north to distant [[Marys Peak]]. Pass a ponderosa pine, and reach the kiosk at the [[Bailey View Drive Trailhead]]. Go right here on the wide Loop Road. Views to the right include Murray Hill and Bailey Hill. Pass under tall ponderosa pines, and then head up to a spur leading out to a trailhead at Summit Sky Boulevard. Continue circling around on the grassy track, which is verged by oaks and big-leaf maples. Look up to your left to a water tank, and keep straight to get a view of [[Spencer Butte (Eugene)|Spencer Butte]] to the south. Descend to stay right at a junction, and cross a shady oak/ash draw. Pass another road junction, and then go right up the Wild Iris Ridge Trail, which rises to the junction that begins the loop. |
Turn left to descend to your vehicle. | Turn left to descend to your vehicle. | ||
Revision as of 00:59, 22 September 2018
,_Wild_Iris_Ridge.jpg)
- Start point: Wild Iris Ridge Trailhead
- End Point: Bailey View Drive Trailhead
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Lollipop loop
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 730 feet
- High Point: 1020 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
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Contents |
Description
Wild Iris Ridge Park opened in 2017 and became the newest addition to Eugene’s Ridgeline Trail system although it is not yet formally connected to other trails on the ridgeline. Trails make use of a powerline corridor and an easement to connect to expanses of Willamette Valley oak savanna blooming with wildflowers in the spring. A loop on old roads at the end of the new trail system extends the hike and offers views to Spencer Butte and north across Bethel-Danebo.
Walk under the spreading oak at the trailhead and past a gate. A wide gravel track leads towards a hill, with a llama pasture on the right and imposing new mansions on the left. At a band of tall oaks above a small creek, go left at a junction to join a new and narrower gravel path. Look for browsing deer in this area. Head up through a meadow and into an oak/madrone wood. Ox-eye daisies dominate in the meadow in summer, but in spring you’ll seeing blooming cluster lilies and checkermallow. Wind up across another open meadow, and pass above a small concrete cistern. Drop to a pair of footbridges where irises bloom in early spring.
At a fence, go left under the powerlines to a junction where the trail branches off for Bailey View Drive. The path snakes up through an oak/madrone wood offering views down to the sprawl of west Eugene. At a shady copse of oak, madrone, and Douglas-fir, come to a junction, and make a left to begin the loop section of the hike.
Switchback up a meadow slope three times, getting views north to distant Marys Peak. Pass a ponderosa pine, and reach the kiosk at the Bailey View Drive Trailhead. Go right here on the wide Loop Road. Views to the right include Murray Hill and Bailey Hill. Pass under tall ponderosa pines, and then head up to a spur leading out to a trailhead at Summit Sky Boulevard. Continue circling around on the grassy track, which is verged by oaks and big-leaf maples. Look up to your left to a water tank, and keep straight to get a view of Spencer Butte to the south. Descend to stay right at a junction, and cross a shady oak/ash draw. Pass another road junction, and then go right up the Wild Iris Ridge Trail, which rises to the junction that begins the loop.
Turn left to descend to your vehicle.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs on leash
- Park open 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Information kiosk
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Ridgeline Trail Map (Eugene Outdoors)
- Eugene Parks & Open Space: Ridgeline Trail Map
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Wild Iris Ridge Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Wild Iris Ridge Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- none yet
More Links
- Wild Iris Ridge Park (Eugene Parks)
- Ridgeline Trail System: Wild Iris Ridge + Loop Trail (Outdoor Project)
- Enjoy a Walk in Nature on the Wild Iris Ridge Trail in Eugene, Oregon (Active Rain)
- Wild Iris Ridge Trails Through Oak Habitat in Southwest Eugene (KLCC)
- “When wild irises bloom” (The Register-Guard)
- Wild Iris Ridge Oak Savanna & Upland Prairie Enhancement (Long Tom Watershed Council)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)