Mary’s Peak I often compare to Spencer Butte for a day hike. Both are right outside college towns, Eugene and Corvallis, and heavily used, but Spencer is city and Mary’s is US Forest Service. July 25, 2023 was all Mary’s Peak, and spectacular in very different ways.
The route (recorded track)
This route started at Conner’s Camp TH around 6:00, with an empty parking lot. From there, quickly up Eastridge trail to Summit trail and then to the ‘Overlook’ cutoff – trail-side vegetation was soaking, and soaked you – so wanted to avoid the meadow first thing. From the top, down the the Northridge TH (and past), then back up to the top. From there, rambled around Summit trail trying to find breaks in the fog. All Trails has something close as a curated route.
Trail conditions were stellar! After the rain the day before and today’s heavy wet fog, the trail was damp and springy – a few puddles but none over shoe-sole. Early morning was greeted by at least 3 different barred owls across the woods. Humans were null until around 10:00 and all close to Overlook parking lot. For the first few hours due to fog and wind, my wind shell upper remained on. Compared to Spencer, the trail conditions are much softer (more forest like than park), the elevation gains greater, solitude easier to find, but wildlife is less. Reminder that this too is a mixed-use trail and MTBs should be expected, though I saw none, only tracks.
The fog and light dances were extraordinary on this day.
Reminder for photos w/ rounded edges reveal high resolution photo – click to open
Sun, fog and forests
Early morning light when the air carries so much water can be like walking through a museum.
Summit Mary’s Peak
Like Grey Butte and Round Mt, atop Mary’s Peak is a communications tower and leading to that tower, a gravel road. The first time atop, the sun and fog had not yet determined who would rule the rest of the morning. The photo that looks like rainbow was a cloud – or at least made up of cloud material – not just refracted light.
Amazing Plants
The trail-side vegetation held so much water and even the flowers got into the act. One fungus also stuck out (pun intended).
Tree Hole Thumper
Near one of the trail junctions, this big bass drum like thumping sound filled the woods. I knew immediately what it was, but finding it was a different challenge. One of the biggest pileated woodpeckers I’ve seen. It had several holes in this tree, so the eating must be good!
[…] Both my sister and I remarked at the odd character of Mary’s Peak forests – they seem very farmed and almost sterile – few birds, rodents and no visible larger mammals, yet we did see at least 1 well-worn deer track. Here is my last Mary’s Peak post […]