Another Bridge, Please?

Two of us started at Hardesty TH intending to hike up Goodman Creek Trail to Eagle’s Rest and back down. A good plan until we reached the larger creek crossing about 2 miles from TH. The creek was flowing much higher than expected from the recent snow. While rock-hopping across was feasible it required using a untestable log in deep fast water. We both checked it out and decided to take another route.

We headed back to Hardesty Tr to S. Willamette Tr and headed toward Eula Ridge. They turned around and I continued on up Eula Ridge Trail. Between Goodman Trail creek crossing and Eula Ridge there are at least 5 small creek crossings. 1 has a bridge and it’s old! Some don’t need a bridge, but Goodman Creek needs one.

Birds were out singing, mostly wrens. Several wood grouse thumped up the hill on Eula Ridge, and a hairy woodpecker danced around a tree to avoid my photo. A pileated woodpecker was also heard – their presence evidence below.

Wildlife was limited, a few deer tracks, 1 grey squirrel and this little one.

As the wild flower bloom cycle moves up the foothills from the valley, early ground flowers and flowering trees were popping – especially the trilliums which were everywhere. The rhododendrons were not ready yet. Click to open the photos and see the bee – I thought it was a yellow bee, but it’s pollen!

The Route

Started at Hardesty TH around 7:45 up Goodman Creek Trail to the largest creek crossing. Turned around and headed down to Hardesty Tr to the South Willamette Tr. S. Willamette Tr to Eula Ridge and up Eula Ridge Trail about 1/2 way, and returned to Hardesty TH around 3:30.

Trail conditions were good, but several muddy patches to navigate. Stream crossings already mentioned left 1 (Goodman Creek) a challenge to avoid getting wet with current stream levels. No obstacles at all but deep bike and horse impacts. Not 1 other human being the entire 20+ miles – only negative was a bit of Hwy 58 noise on S. Willamette Tr from time -to-time but it was expected. The creeks’ water levels were surprisingly high.

Gear Box

GPS went nuts! Both GaiaGPS and All Trails captured 2 different tracks – one, up the hill; two, down the hill. I walked the same trail 2x. But both tools recorded two different tracks and the elevation exaggerated (Gaia). I re-tracked the route and it was 4,900 ft gain. — the culprit? Steep narrow creek ravines with heavy coniferous canopy – perfectly describes where GPS went upside down.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Lone Peak WP Boots – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
• Pack: Gossamer Gear GRIT (light foothills day hike)
• Upper Layers: Lightweight baselayer
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 07:45 – 15:30
• Carbon ratio: 4.25 hours (3 hours driving: 7.25 hours hiking); YTD = 63.75 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 309.5
• Notes:
  • Photos: low
  • Speed: moderate
  • Difficulty: moderate – elevation gain
  • Weather: 50-60s and sunny

GaiaGPS data is off given the GPS freak-out

All Trail data can never be trusted though more accurate on elevation gain.