Category: Hiking
Posted November 30th, 2008 in Family Outing, Hiking, Milagros News, Outside of Portland |
We are in Nevada visiting family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Milagros IS OPEN!
Yesterday we headed up to the mountains. Mila and Gael’s great-grandmother has always wanted to see Crystal Peak, so we decided to load-up (5 adults and 4 kids) and head out.
It took some effort trying to figure out how to get there. We did some searching on-line and finally pieced together directions from three different sources. For one thing, Crystal Peak is actually in California – not Nevada - and is generally known on maps as Crystal Mine.
Once you are off the highway you pass from sagebrush desert up to pine forest. We encountered a lot of families cutting Christmas trees in the forest. Eventually you pass through Dog Valley.
Dog Valley was named for packs of wild dogs that use to roam the area. The defining characteristic of Dog Valley these days are the groves of aspen trees which provide a striking contrast against the surrounding conifers.
After about 9 miles from the main highway on dirt roads, the turn-off to Crystal Mine emerged. Then it was up the hill to the parking area.
We didn’t know what to expect, we figured maybe there would be some rocks found but at a minimum we would enjoy a day in the woods. But it turns out that Crystal Peak is appropriately named, there is quartz EVERYWHERE. No digging needed.
The area had been blasted extensively during World War II to ensure that there were plenty of crystals for radios needed for the war effort. What remains is an exposed peak of quartz veins, boulders, and crystal rock of all variety of sizes and coloring (rose quartz, smoky quartz, clear crystals, you name it). The views from the top of the peak are very lovely as well. The kids – and adults – had a great time rock collecting and hiking to the top of the mountain! Enjoy!
Getting there from Reno:
- 395 North to Bordertown (Exit 83)
- After you exit, go back over the highway (toward the Bordertown Casino) and take a right at the stop sign.
- Travel past the Bordertown Casino to another stop sign. Continue past the stop sign and follow a sharp left over the railroad tracks onto Long Valley Road (the map shows the terrain from this point).
- It is advisable to set your trip odometer at this point so you can note your progress. You will travel about 9 miles from this point until the turn-off to Crystal Peak.
- Continue to follow Long Valley Road into the National Forest where it becomes Forest Road 002. Stay on 002 – you will go through Dog Valley which is not marked but you will see aspens! - until the junction with Forest Road 033. This junction is marked.
- Take a right onto 033 and head up the mountain to the Crystal Peak parking area. Happy rock hunting!
View Larger Map
Posted June 5th, 2008 in Family Outing, Hiking, Milagros News, Outside of Portland |
When Mila was a wee one, eight months old, we spent a month camping and traveling in Hawaii. While were camping on the Big Island, we met a family from Washington state with a little girl who was 17 months old – River. We hit it off with River and her family right away. Our family friendship that has continued to blossom over the years despite the miles between us and time between visits.
This weekend, River’s family was in the Salem area and our schedules transpired to allow us a couple of hours together on Sunday afternoon. Where should we meet to let the kids play and the adults chat? (there are a family of four now as well!) I busted out a map and noticed that Champoeg State Park is about halfway between Salem and Portland.
The exit for Champoeg off I-5 has caught my eye on countless journeys South (I tend to take note of exits going to parks and the like) but I never ventured there until now. The park is nestled in an area that is rich in farmlands and scenic hills and is bordered by a stunning section of the Willamette River that feels unrelated to the water that divides Portland into two sides.
There is camping, and miles of trails for biking and hiking. The kids ran through meadows filled with grasses and wild flowers and climbed trees along the riverside. It was a refreshing and relaxing escape from the city. Our visit there only scratched the surface of the area but we took note of what the park has to offer for future trips.
Amenities at the park include is camping – tent and RV sites as well as cabins and yurts, access to the river – including a boat launch, a frisbee golf course, and a variety of interpretive programs and elements that celebrate the area’s history.
The area was the site of an Oregon pioneer settlement. There are year round facilities at the park that provide a glimpse into pioneer life: the visitor center, Newell House, and Pioneer Mothers Log Cabin museum. During the summer, the park takes on a living museum element at times with reenactments of pioneer life and other interactive activities and tours.
Needless to say, it is nice to find gems like this that are close to home (especially with the price of gas these days). Champoeg was less than 45 minutes from Portland but a world away. We’ll be back!
Posted March 29th, 2008 in Hiking, Outside of Portland, travel |
Milagros is open – Carrie, Brooke, Lonni and Amy are there to assist you! – but we have been out of town for the past week. During our time away our server went haywire thus the unscheduled blog facelift…and our inability to post anything until today.
Now that we have a child in school we are beholden to the school calendar and as spring break approached we were faced with no travel plans. So we all got in the car and headed south to see family in Nevada. So here is a quick jumble of road notes from the trip thus far.
The drive was lovely and once we were off the interstate, the drive became even nicer. A few favorite stops from this trip and trips in the past:
- Mt. Shasta: Such a stately mountain, I have always wanted to climb it. We have taken day hikes up the mountain past the treeline from a few points. There is plenty of summer camping in the area – this time of year we hit the Strawberry Valley Inn for lodging needs.
- Burney Falls: Lovely falls and great family hiking – a perfect leg stretcher or picnic stop. There is a campground in the park as well.
- Lassen National Park: This park has great snowshoeing in the winter, great hiking and camping in other seasons. We love hiking Bumpass Hell which really shows off the volcanic nature of the area. Our favorite managed campground in the part is Southwest (tent-only!).
- Honey Lake: This is a unique area that is one of the last remanants of Lake Lahontan which was an enormous lake that existed during the last ice age. Making a stop to check out the flocks of geese, swans, and cranes that pass through the area as well as local birds of prey.
Once we arrived in Reno, we were cursed with our on-going “hey we are traveling so someone HAS to get sick!” Mila, Gael, and Tony all got ear infections…but it is what it is and we haven’t let it hold us back. Mila has a gaggle of cousins in the area so getting the kids outdoors was the order of the day – actually everyday.
We have posted other Nevada Notes in the past (Truckee River, Galena Creek, Animal Ark). On this trip we were armed with a great on-line database of Nevada trail maps (thanks for the tip Reno Natural Mothers!). So we enjoyed a couple of new family-friendly trails this trip:
- Rancho Nature Trail: This trail starts near an Basque memorial and winds through sagebrush scrub and a wetland. The riparian habitat boasts a mix of plants and animals and the kids had a lot of fun exploring.
- Huffaker Lookout: The trailhead is next to a play area this is great for the kids pre-hike or post-hike. A few different loops along the hills can be created and the top of the hills provides a sweeping view of Truckee Meadows. There are plenty of interpretive signs, benches, and even picnic tables along the way. The kids raced to the top of the hills and had a great time.
Happy trails!
Posted October 29th, 2007 in Hiking |
This past weekend was SUPPOSE to be a little family getaway because Mila had Friday off from school. Well, she started falling ill on Thursday and on Friday it was clear that we weren’t going anywhere…
But the weather was lovely here in Portland, so we took advantage of it and hit the trail on Sunday. Honestly, one of our favorite in-town family hikes is taking the Wildwood/Lower Macleay Trail from the Audubon Center to Lower Macleay Park and back (or vice versa!). If you go, be sure to enjoy the Audubon Center while you are there – it’s free!
We have posted the hike details before with directions from Macleay Park TO the Audubon Center along with other recommended in-town hikes. Here are the hike details starting from the Audubon Center:
Park at the Audubon Center – 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland OR 97210 – and walk the access trail to the right of the rescue center about 1/10 mile east to the Wildwood Trailhead at upper Macleay Park. Hike the Wildwood Trail down to Balch Creek and follow the creek to the Stone House. Continue straight at that point onto the Lower Macleay Trail – don t go up the hill. The trail stays level as it follows Balch Creek before reaching Lower Macleay Park. This scenic hike is approximately 1 1/2 miles each way and is definitely kid-friendly.
Happy Trails!
Posted October 3rd, 2007 in Events, Hiking, Wildlife |
Come along with Mike Houck for a stroll around the 160-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. This trip is
appropriate for families. The walk is a two-mile loop on both paved and uneven dirt paths.
Registration at www.audubonportland.org/trips_classes_camps/adult_programs/wildcity or call 971-222-6116
Posted September 16th, 2007 in Events, Hiking, Wildlife |
Come along with Mike Houck for a stroll around the 60-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Mike has led tours t the Bottoms for over 30 years and is intimately familiar with the history of Oaks Bottom being designated as Portland s first official urban wildlife refuge.
This trip is appropriate for families. The walk is a two-mile loop on both paved and uneven dirt paths, with two moderate hills.
Advanced registration required. Call 971-222-6116
Posted August 15th, 2007 in Hiking, Kayaking, Milagros News, Outside of Portland, travel |
The weather this summer has been, well…a little disappointing. There have been many more cloudy days than we have been used to. Normally our summer trips include excursions to the mountains and the coast to escape the hot days of Portland – including occasional triple digit temp days. This year we have been escaping TO the sun. To escape some of the dreary summer days in July, we headed out to Kah Nee Ta for a couple of nights.
This resort/casino on the Warm Springs Reservation is pretty family friendly. We stayed in the lodge and although there is a casino, the entrance is separate from other accommodations so you don’t even need to know the casino exists – unless you WANT to know…
Pluses: 20 miles from ANYTHING with sweeping desert views from every lodge room. The lodge has a sauna, steam room, work out room and pool for guests and wifi access by the dramatic fireplace. The Village area of the resort has an enormous pool that is spring-fed and great for kids. Other amenities include a spa, kayak rentals/outings, horseback excursions, golfing (and mini-golf for kids), access to the Spring River, and nearby hiking trails.
Minuses: 20 miles from ANYTHING which limits your food options to what is on-site. The food is fine and reasonably priced (breakfast was included as part of the High Desert Escape Package that we booked) BUT there are limited options for vegetarians – vegans may be completely out of luck. The Chinook Room has a kid’s menu.
Tips: Bring a cooler with items for lunches and snacks. Do NOT forget the sunscreen and use it liberally. For a little vegetarian variety when dining in The Chinook Room, ask to have the Longhouse Salad which is on the menu for The Juniper Room next door (they share a kitchen). At breakfast ask to substitute fry bread for toast.
If you are interested in checking Ka Nee Ta out, here is a great deal they are having – Rooms are 50 percent off August 26 – 30 and September 3 – 6!
Posted July 9th, 2007 in Family Outing, Hiking, Milagros News, Outside of Portland |
A new Oregon State Park opened on Sunday: L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park.
The park features a variety of camping including walk-in and hike-in tent sites, sites for RV and Trailers, and 15 cabins. The park will also feature some 15 miles of new trails, including access to the Banks-Vernonia Trail (which is a wide, level, very family-friendly trail).
All of this is less than an hour from Portland! See you there!
Posted July 3rd, 2007 in Hiking, Kayaking, Milagros News, Outside of Portland, Wildlife, travel |
This is another note from our trip to Reno. Jen is a NV native and all of her family is in the Reno-area, so we visit the area quite a bit.
Reno has been going through a lot changes in the past few years, they seem to be moving away from gaming and developing a more “family-friendly” environment. This is a work in progress but there are more and more opportunities for families to relax and enjoy themselves in the area.
In the past few years, the city has been redeveloping the area around the Truckee River which flows through town. Known as the RiverWalk there are a number of shops and cafes as well as sculptures and other features to view in addition to the river.
They have also been making changes to the river. Using concrete and 8,000 tons of rocks they contoured about 1/2 mile of the river into rapids for white-water kayakers. They have also created areas on the river that are perfect for families to take a dip. These areas are primarily adjacent to Barbara Bennett Park.
We went playing and wading in the Truckee on this trip. Mila loved splashing the in water and hopping on the rocks. Afterward we strolled along the RiverWalk to our favorite indepedent coffee shop in Reno: Dreamer’s.
A unique part of the river that we visited on this trip for the first time was the Oxbow Nature Study Area. This wildlife and plant preserve is located on the Truckee River at the very end of Dickerson Road. The area is dedicated to preserving the plant and animal life found in the Truckee Meadows area and it features a two-mile interpretive trail that is level and very kid-friendly. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
Posted June 26th, 2007 in Family Outing, Hiking, Milagros News, Outside of Portland, Wildlife |
One of our favorite local day trips is the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, WA (Exit 14 on I-5, head west and follow the signs when you come into the village of Ridgefield). The refuge is divided into three areas, two of which can be easily accessed by the public
The River S Unit offers an unique auto tour and a seasonal hiking trail (the Kiwa Trail which is an easy, level 1.2 mile loop). We have toured this area countless times and commonly see herons, egrets, ducks of all sorts, blackbirds, nutria, and much more.
The Carty Unit boasts a year-round network of trails that connects white oak woodlands to the marshy shores of Boot Lake and Duck Lake (the Oaks to Wetlands trails). There is also a longhouse similar to the kind used by the Chinook Indians when contact was made by Lewis and Clark in this area Volunteers try to have the longhouse open for visiting every weekend during the summer months.
