{"id":38679,"date":"2026-04-29T03:57:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T10:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=38679"},"modified":"2026-04-29T04:13:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T11:13:02","slug":"fading-trillium-on-goodman-creek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goatbells.blog\/?p=38679","title":{"rendered":"Fading Trillium on Goodman Creek"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Time to hike the foothills to catch spring as it moves up the mountain … keep driving to minimum but hiking experience to maximum: G<\/a>oodman Creek to Eagles’ Rest<\/a>. This was the first of a planned 3-day sequential hiking sequence to test conditioning for longer adventures after day hiking all winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a 30 min drive to Hardesty Mountain TH, I went first up Goodman Creek to the end and then back down to S. Willamette for a few more stream crossings and back to TH. Wildflowers were out, the dogwood blooming and the birds were VERY loud. I could have imagined it, but the closer to Hwy 58, the wrens seemed louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trillium were everywhere, but most turned past their peak bloom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Along the way, a shelter in an odd place like Buckhead Shelter on Alpine Tr and the same design and building materials. Probably built around same time, by same people?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I arrived at Eagles Rest passing a dad and his 3 sons (all under 10) walking up from the last upper TH – kudos dad! – and at Eagles Rest – the only true vista view on the entire trail – just clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the way down the clouds parted and below the trail held a view of modern forest practices at work (or, 2×4 farming). No mother tree left, nothing; even the stumps were burnt out killing the microbes – science suggests this is poor farming practice (Finding the Mother Tree<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Goodman Creek was surprisingly high and rolling down the hill. The entire hike until the last TH is within ear-shot of the creek and often peek-a-boo views of the cascading water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After being turned back the last time hiking Goodman at the larger creek between Hardesty TH and the lower Goodman TH, this time I found a way across. With trekking poles and using every rock and log available I got across both times without getting wet – without trekking poles – get wet or turn back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the trillium fade on Goodman Creek and S. Willamette Trails, spring moves another elevation band up the mountain. I was happy to be there to watch it go up the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Hardesty TH straight up Goodman Creek to Eagles Rest and then back down to S. Willamette. Followed the trail eastward until tired, and then back to Hardesty TH. When I left at 6:15 there was 1 other car in parking lot; when I returned around 2:30 there were 4 other cars. Human traffic was very light – 3 hikers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n