What better way to crown the beginning of a new travel blog but with an adventure in my own backyard. Traveling with a good friend who hails from back east, we decided to check out Dan's Trail in the Jackson creek area of the Oregon State University-managed McDonald Forest just north of Corvallis, Oregon.
This 7.6 mile trail had some pros and cons, but felt deceiving from the very start. From all of the local literature on this trail, the "strenuous" difficulty rating was something to question from the second we hit the trail. The 1,400 feet elevation gain and difficulty rating led me to pack a full day's worth of food, weather-appropriate gear, water, first aid and emergency supplies in attempt to follow the ever-growing list of "10" essentials, while my hiking buddy rained in with a thermos of water and a sandwich. First thinking this was a difference in style rather than trail norm, I quickly realized virtually no one along the trail had packed much more than my feisty friend..except me.
The trail itself was well used, running into a variety of hikers, dog-owners and mountain bikers along the way. Starting at the junction of Chip Ross Park in Corvallis, the trail winds through mixed forest, crossing jackson creek at a tiny water pool. The last 2 miles leads to switch backs of less-then-epic proportions, easing their way up to the summit of Dimple Hill. The trail is banked by blackberries that are ever-plentiful here in the Beaver State, providing a yummy post-lunch snack while sitting and enjoying the pastel views of the Willamette Valley in the low autumn sun. Overall, it was a nice hike..(dare I say stroll?)...for anyone in Corvallis it is a nice quiet getaway from the buzz of Monroe St and academia.
Haha, this is great andrew! You are a good writer.
ReplyDeleteStrolls are fun, especially when encumbered with the "10" essentials. I always say: It's better to be prepared than raped.
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