the benchmark fall 2009 - sierra club...natural areas and parks, the city of corvallis parks &...

Marys Peak Group

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THE BENCHMARK Fall 2009

resident Franklin Roosevelt was introduced to labor leader Philip Randolph and asked him for his opinion. Randolph said, “This is what you should do. . .” and then proceeded to describe a list of things. In response Roosevelt replied, “. . . go out and make me do it.”

Roosevelt knew that politicians lead best when they are led by the people. We saw a few examples of this in the 47th session of the Oregon legislature, where environmental bills were introduced but didn’t make it out of committee. Others made it out but faced fierce opposition. House Bill 3298 was one. A Sierra Club backed bill to protect the Metolius River Basin as an “Area of Critical State Concern,” the bill was to stop the development of two destination resorts involving hundreds of houses and condominiums near the headwaters of the Metolius River in central Oregon. At stake were ground and surface water, endangered fish, and prime deer and elk habitat in a sensitive ecosystem. It passed in the house, but was voted down in the senate, losing by one vote. However, the senators who voted against it received an overwhelming volume of negative feedback. In response, one key senator turned his vote around, which caused it to pass. The bill moved on to Governor Kulongoski, who signed it into law. This important win would not have happened if we hadn’t done as Roosevelt suggested.

www.oregon.sierraclub.org/groups/marys_peakMPG established 1970

by Debra Higbee, MPG Political Chair

THIS ISSUE

Chair Retrospect, A Farewell . . . . . pg. 2

Leader Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . pg. 3

MPG Outings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pgs. 4-7

Camping Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . pg. 8

Evening Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . pg. 9

MPG ExCom Ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . pg. 10

MPG Positions Open . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 11

Susan E. Miller Award . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.13

The Rhinoceros Aucklet . . . . . . . . . . pg. 14

On to the Boardwalk. . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 16

Majestic Yellowstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 18

Earth Day Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . pg. 20

Memorial Day Camping Trip . . . . pg. 21

Neat Stuff for Sale! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 22

Past Outings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . pg. 23

Get Involved! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . pg. 24

P

continued on page 12

Roosevelt’s Challenge

INSIDE: Learn about

Rhinoceros Aucklet and efforts to restore their

habitat and numbers on Ano Nuevo Island.

see pg.14

Debra Higbee

2. THE BENCHMARK

Barry Wulff, ChairJane Luther, Vice ChairLeslie Hogan, Secretary

Bob CusterDoris deLespinasse

Bruce EnckeRalph Nafziger

Denise Cooper, TreasurerDebra Higbee, Political ChairKay Yates, Membership Chair

http://oregon.sierraclub.org/groups/marys_peak

Barry Wulff [email protected]

Lori Fluge-BrunkerBenchmark Publisher

[email protected]’Liss Runyon

Benchmark [email protected]

MPG Executive Committee

A FarewellListening to leaders of many organizations,

from garden clubs to anglers groups, I hear about declining memberships. People are dropping from organizations like petals on a fading flower. Where have all the flowers gone? Electronic games, the computer, and the television have robbed groups of their adherents and workers. Sadly, the important socialization we all need is becoming more difficult to find in our society.

Yet, the Marys Peak Group continues to hold on to its membership. Our cadre of leaders remains active and involved. We have recognized the need to continue reaching out to our membership and providing a wide variety of opportunities for engaging in the group’s

activities. We strive to make all of our activities fun, stimulating and rewarding. The people you meet on our outings are among the finest you’ll meet anywhere.

I’ve been impressed with the dedication of Marcia Shapiro, who organizes our evening programs. With variety and adventure, we are usually able to fill the Benton County library room for each program. The success of Marcia’s work is acknowledged by the fact that speakers approach us looking for an opportunity to present a program. This fall, we are starting with a program on Namibia and will follow with a program on trails in the Lebanon area of Linn County.

The quality of our PDF formatted tri-annual Benchmark is impressive and among the best

newsletters that any arms of the Sierra Club produce. Not only are the articles interesting to read, but also we strive for timeliness and clarity of writing. We can thank Lori Fluge-Brunker and M’Liss Runyon for layout and publishing excellence.

Our outings program is one of the strongest in the country. For the past few years, we have had annually more than 2,000 daily participations on our outings. Doris deLespinasse does a splendid job nurturing and organizing an impressive group of more than 30 trained and qualified outings leaders. We’re offering nearly 100 outings a year, ranging from visits to environmental friendly businesses to overnight cross-country ski trips. Bob Custer, Christy Stevens, Leslie Hogan, and David Anderson, who organize our backpacking, rafting, mid-week, and skiing activities, are also to be commended. The variety of outings offered for this coming autumn is impressive. We welcome your participation.

Our Summer Solstice Galas at the Dancing Oaks Garden have been among the best attended in the Northwest. Many thanks to the organizational efforts of Marilyn Hinds, Kay Yates, Nancye and Jim Ballard, and Monika Shepherd, and to all who pitched in to help them. If you’ve been there, you know what I’m writing about. The food, music, and camaraderie are to be marveled at.

Marilyn Hinds, David Eckert, and Debra Higbee have led our political and conservation work over the years. We have made a difference in elections. And we have planted trees for those who come long after us to enjoy. There is much to be done, and they will continue working with us as we go down the road. We’ve had great success by focusing on the positive in our communities.

I’m especially proud of our trail work organizers – Tom Bucht, Denise Nervik and Margie Powell. They have organized several trail work parties each year for some time now and forged good working relationships with Benton County Natural Areas and Parks, the City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation, and the U.S. Forest Service. Working in cooperation with these agencies, they have organized work parties, sometimes with as many as 30 people, to put in new trails and repair and upgrade established trails. The pride that goes with their work is a sight to behold.

Our treasury is sound, thanks to three fine treasurers in the past ten years – Steve Ford, Mike Brantley, and Denise Cooper. Last, but not least, I commend Jane Luther, who keeps track on spreadsheets of all of our activities and member participation and their payments for our extended outings and rafting trips. Without her careful recording, we would be flying blind.

This will be my last column as MPG Chair. I have learned a lot about managing a volunteer organization, enjoyed many great moments in the past ten years, and leaned on the support of many wonderful people to make everything possible. I hope you will support them in the future. There are lots of little roles to play. The MPG will be only as strong as the volunteering efforts of its members. Let’s volunteer together and keep the ball rolling. There is a place for your participation. I want to make a special plea to our younger members, your children and grandchildren. The Marys Peak Group offers multitudinous opportunities for teens and young adults to learn and gain confidence.

Barry Wulff

CHAIR RETROSPECT

~Barry Wulff, Chair

Article and photo submission guidelines: MPG welcomes your articles and photos. Please keep articles to a maximum of 1,500 words. Photos should be in jpg format, 300 dpi when possible. The Sierra Club Foundation is a 501©3 organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

THE BENCHMARKFall 2009

http://oregon.sierraclub.org/groups/marys_peakBarry

s a kid in Massachusetts, Tom Bucht often went for walks in the woods with his parents and siblings, giving him his first taste of wilderness, and of blueberries his family often picked.

That taste of wilderness stuck with him, and today Tom enjoys hiking, skiing, and trail building; activities he often leads for the Marys Peak Group.

Tom became a leader for MPG because he “observed the need for leaders and gradually became one,” he said. He encourages people to participate, saying it helps them “gain an appreciation for the natural world and fosters an urge to protect that diminishing world.”

MPG Chair Barry Wulff greatly influenced and positively affected his hiking, exploring and leading of outdoor activities, said Tom.

“Barry and I made many, many trips exploring the back roads in the coast range,” he said. “For a time, I did not realize that Barry was looking for potential group hiking places. I just enjoyed visiting the coast range. Before hiking with Barry, it had never occurred to me that the coast range is a great nearby resource with many hiking opportunities; and most are not in any trail guides.”

After experiencing the back road complexity of the coast range and unreliable maps, Tom decided to purchase a GPS to assist in navigation. Since then, his GPS has been a valuable tool in scoping out potential hikes.

Through Barry’s advice, Tom says, he has learned a great deal about group trip planning and research, which he has applied to various trips.

If you take a hike with Tom, he may tell you about one of his greatest outdoor adventures which took place on his first backpack trip at the age of 17.

He and a neighbor friend went on a five day trip into the White Mountains in New Hampshire. His friend’s mom drove them to the trail head and dropped them off. Tom remembers that she was uneasy with the boys being out of contact and in the woods for days.

“The feeling of being ‘out there’ with no car and being totally dependent on supplies carried on your back was a new and enlightening experience,” says Tom.

A creek near one campsite had a huge boulder and a deep, clear pool below. Even though the water was cold, Tom says he could not resist jumping in.

“On a hike up to Bonn Cliffs, I could see the cliffs way above and asked ‘are we really going up there?’ It seemed unreachable from below,” remembered Tom. “The top of the cliffs were covered in ripe blueberries, so I sat down and started eating them, and in the bushes was a small rabbit, unafraid. I picked up the rabbit–it was the softest creature I have ever touched.”

Today, some of Tom’s favorite places to visit are the Oregon Coast, the coastal range, and the Cascades. “The East Ridge trail on Marys Peak is a great one,” says Tom. “You can really see the transition in vegetation as you go up with the Douglas firs becoming noble firs higher up, then the meadows at the top. I really like the

blue tinge of the noble firs and their upright cones.”

Tom sites the greenery and the fact that there’s always something new to see and discover as good reasons to head outdoors. He also likes the social aspect of group hiking.

When Tom’s not playing outdoors, he spends his time indoors fixing computer problems and working on the occasional electronic design.

He is currently helping a long-time friend and business associate

convert his 1970 Karmin Ghia from gas to electric. The car will have eight batteries, four in front and four in back, when they’re finished.

“The project been an educational experience,” Tom says, one in which he has learned many things. “There are no perfect solutions; lots of trade-offs to decide on. We hope to get 25 miles per charge, so this is an ‘around town’ car only.”

They hope to have the project done sometime in 2010, so if you’re in Corvallis, keep an eye out for an electric Karmin Ghia quietly rolling by.

Then take a MPG hike with Tom, you won’t be disappointed.

Leader Profile: Tom Bucht

THE BENCHMARK 3.

A


Tom Bucht

The feeling of being ‘out there’ with no car and being totally dependent on supplies carried on your back was a new and enlightening experience.”“

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Marys Peak Group outings welcome everyone who enjoys group activity and is physically prepared for the particular event. Younger children and all whose pace is slower are very welcome on the easier events (see the family-oriented walk on October 25, as well as others marked “easy”). At the other end, vigorous hikers will enjoy Grizzly Peak (Sept. 20) or Black Crater (Oct. 3). If you are not sure whether you are ready for an event, please talk with the leader.

Contact the leader before each event. Space is often limited. Always fun, MPG outings also provide opportunities to explore our natural environment, learning more about the unique flora and fauna of our region and how they can be preserved.

For additional outings and updates, see our weekly e-mail. Not on the e-mail list? Send an e-mail to [email protected] to be added.

IMPORTANT: For General Outing Policies, see page 7

MPG SIERRA CLUB OUTINGS SEPTEMBER–JANUARY, 2009-2010

4. THE BENCHMARK

NEW to MPG OUTINGS?

MPG welcomes newcomers! Come alone or bring a friend.

Non-members are always welcome!

To receive weekly e-mails on upcoming events and outings,

contact MPG at [email protected].

Sunday, September 6 – Three Cascade Lakes. We will explore 3 swimmable lakes located in the Douglas fir and hemlock forests west of Three-Fingered Jack. The trail climbs along the North Santiam River to Duffy Lake, then onto steep-shored Mowich Lake with its forested island and sandy beach, before backtracking to Santiam Lake with its wildflowers and reflection of Jack. Moderate/difficult, 11-12 miles, with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Preregistration required; wilderness limit of 12. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for an early 8:00 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Robert Verhoogen, 745-5185 or [email protected]

Friday-Sunday, September 11-13 – Waldo Lake area camping trip. Waldo Lake is located about 65 miles southeast of Eugene in the Cascades at 5,414 feet. It is Oregon’s second largest lake, with clear blue water. We will leave Friday morning, September 11th and set up camp on or near the lake. We will hike Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning, returning Sunday afternoon, September 13th. Depending upon the interests of the group we will have hikes of moderate and difficult levels. Participants will bring their own tents and food. Early expression of interest is encouraged so we can make appropriate camp ground arrangements. Modest cost required to cover camping fees. Contact leader: Bob Custer, 541/745-3994 or [email protected]; Mike Neeley-Brown

Saturday, September 12 – Beazell Memorial Forest. At this beautiful woodland park in Kings Valley near Philomath, we’ll walk a loop, up cool shaded Plunkett Creek and then to the top of the hill to the view of Marys Peak. Moderate, 4 miles maximum, 700’ gain/loss. 1:00 p.m. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 1:00 p.m. departure. Contact leader: Randy Rasmussen, 541-745-5452, [email protected]

Thursday, September 17 – Sunrise Tree Farm. We will visit the Sunrise Tree Farm in Philomath and learn how Christmas trees grow, seeing sustainable farming and a topping and shearing demonstration. Meet on First Street, behind Corvallis’s Super-8 Motel, for a 12:45 p.m. departure. Contact Leader: Marilyn Hinds, 541-929-7136 or [email protected]

Thursday-Monday, September 17-21 – Southern Oregon Coast Lodge Trip. We’ll stay four nights in a comfortable fishing lodge just north of Port Orford, and our group will occupy the entire lodge. Each double room has its own bathroom. Delicious light breakfast provided. The trip will include moderate day hikes overlooking and along the Oregon Coast, to such well-known areas as Cape Blanco, Cape Sebastian, and Blacklock Point. Contact leaders: Jim and Nancye Ballard, 541/752-4441 or [email protected]

Saturday, September 19 – Trail Work. Assist with trail building or maintenance at Marys Peak. Bring work gloves, water and lunch. Depart at 8:30 a.m.; return mid-afternoon. See weekly e-mail or contact leaders for details, including meeting place. Contact leaders: Margie Powell, Tom Bucht, 738-1333 or [email protected]

Sunday, September 20 – Grizzly Peak. On this premier Cascades hike, walk through mossy old growth by a gushing stream to Pamelia Lake, then climb steadily up a mountain above the lake for a fantastic close-up view of Mt. Jefferson. Fall foliage, often stunning in this area, should be beginning to turn. Difficult, 10 miles, with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for an 8:00 a.m. departure, or ask leader for Salem departure time/place. Preregistration required; wilderness limit of 12. Contact leader: Larry Davis, (503) 390-8210 or [email protected]

continued on next page


MPG Club Outings (cont.)

THE BENCHMARK 5.

Winter 2009

Wednesday-Thursday, September 23-24 - Double Hike-Campout: Scott Mt. and Tam McArthur Rim. We’ll squeeze in two midweek hikes on two opposite sides of the Three Sisters. Wednesday we’ll pass a number of lakes on our way to climb Scott Mountain. Moderate, 8.2 miles, with 1,300 feet elevation gain. After a night of “light” camping near Sisters at Cold Springs Campground (dinner at a restaurant in Sisters), we’ll drive south of town to Tam McArthur Rim for an almost “aerial overlook of the Three Sisters.” The foliage should be ablaze. Moderate, 5 miles, with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. 8:00 take-off time. Preregistration required; wilderness limit of 12. Contact leaders: Leslie Hogan, [email protected] or 541-924-0130; co-leader, Karl Harzell.

Sunday, September 27 – Beyond Ellmaker. Normally this is just a rest stop on the way to the coast, but we’ll make a loop exploring the back roads of this state park and the adjoining Starker Forests lands. We will ford the shallow and narrow Tum Tum River, then climb along Ellmaker Creek. Our return takes us on overgrown roads with some trees to climb over or under, then we descend to lower Ellmaker Creek via a different route. Moderate, 5 miles, with 600 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 10:00 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Tom Bucht, 738-1333 or [email protected]

Saturday, October 3 – Black Crater. On this hike near the McKenzie Pass, climb through inactive volcanic areas built by glacial ice as well as heat to central Oregon’s best view of the Three Sisters and the McKenzie Pass lava flows. Very difficult climb for experienced hikers only; 7.4 miles, with 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for an 8:00 a.m. departure. Preregistration required; wilderness limit of 12. Contact leaders: Irene and Armand Schoppy, 541-758-8591 or [email protected]

Sunday, October 4 – Marys Peak East Ridge. We’ll climb up from Conner’s Camp, with views over the coast range, lunch at the summit, and return the way we came. Great views from the top, from the ocean to the Cascades on a clear day. Vine maples may be beginning to turn to their glorious yellow. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 10:00 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Mike Neeley-Brown, 541-752-6052, [email protected]; Julie Arrington.

Saturday October 10 – Finley Wildlife Refuge. Last fall’s walk on this refuge south of Corvallis was lovely, with wonderful fall foliage and lots of natural features. Watch weekly email for details of this year’s walk. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 9:00 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Karl Hartzell, 758-2275 or [email protected]

Sunday, October 11 – Clear Lake/Sahalie & Koosah Falls. The stroll around Clear Lake (5.5 miles, with 200 feet of elevation gain) offers views of beautiful fall foliage, huge springs, lava crossings, and old growth forests in a lovely mountain setting. This will be combined via the McKenzie River Trail with the loop around the river’s two grandest cascades, Sahalie and Koosah Falls (2.6 miles, with 400 feet of elevation gain). Moderate, total 9-10 miles. Meet at Wilkinson Hall parking lot for early 8:00 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Robert Verhoogen, 541 745-518 or [email protected]

Wednesday, October 14 – ViewPlus Technologies, Inc. “ViewPlus is recognized throughout the world as a leading innovator in research and development of assistive technology products for people with print and sensory disabilities.” We will visit this amazing company right here in Corvallis. RSVP by Oct. 5. Meet on First Street, behind Corvallis’s Super-8 Motel, for a 1:00 p.m. departure. Contact leader: Marilyn Hinds, 541-929-7136 or [email protected]

Saturday, October 17 – Trail Work Assist with trail building or maintenance at Beazell Memorial Forest. Bring work gloves, water and lunch; return mid-afternoon. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for an 8:30 a.m. departure. Contact leaders: Margie Powell, Tom Bucht, Denise Nervik, 752-8241 or [email protected]

Sunday October 18 – Dunn Forest Dog and People Walk. With or without a dog, walk one of the loops in this research forest north of Corvallis. Dogs must be under leash or voice control at all times, be well-behaved and non-aggressive to people and other dogs. Moderate, 6-7 miles, with up to 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 10:00 a.m. departure. Contact leaders: Kay Yates, 754-0463 or [email protected]; Monika Shepherd, 754-5994.

Saturday, October 24 – Silver Falls Geology Walk. The Canyon Trail to 10 waterfalls is one of Oregon’s premier sights. We’ll walk the Canyon and Ridge trails, discussing the geology of this special place, and making a stop by the fire in the classic lodge. Good rain gear and water-resistant boots or sturdy walking shoes are essential. Moderate, 7.1 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Preregistration required; number limited to 10. Contact leader to register and for departure time and places: Ralph Nafziger, 541-926-4245 or [email protected]




6. THE BENCHMARK

Sunday, October 25 – Kid-Friendly Walk on Clemens Park Loop. Join us as we stroll through lovely Clemens County Park near Alsea on a family-friendly excursion. This interpretative trail along the North Fork of the Alsea River will introduce us to the conditions necessary for a healthy salmon habitat. If our timing works out well with the fall rains, we may see some salmon on their migration. We will see large Pacific yew trees, Douglas firs, grand firs, raptors and sword ferns up to 6 feet in diameter. Afterwards, we may stop at a nearby hatchery. Easy, 1 nearly level mile; could be muddy. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 1:00 p.m. departure. Contact leaders: Julie Arrington, 541-752-605 or, [email protected]; Mike Neeley-Brown. (Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult; a liability release is required from a parent or guardian. Leaders can tell you about details.)

Sunday, November 1 – Henline Mountain and Falls. The trail to 120-ft Henline Falls gently follows the bed of a long-abandoned road to an old silver mine (easy, 1.8 round trip miles, with 200 feet of elevation gain). Then, starting from a different trail head, the “exhilarating” path switchbacks up into the forest, traverses a large rock slide, and then climbs steadily to a lookout point with views across the N. Santiam valley to Mt. Jefferson and other peaks (difficult, 5.6 round trip miles, with 2,200 feet of elevation gain). Meet at Wilkinson Hall parking lot for early 8:00 a.m. departure. Note: Daylight savings time ended last night! Preregistration required; number may be limited. Contact leader: Robert Verhoogen, 541-745-5185 or [email protected]

Saturday, November 7 – Tum Tum River to Ridge Loop. We have obtained a special permit from Starker Forests to hike on this private tree farm. Our route follows roads through diverse scenery, from quaint bridges across babbling streams, through shady green forests, along a hillside meadow, to a ridge with a broad view of the Coast Range. The hike includes some sustained elevation gains, and there could be muddy areas, so it would be helpful to be in good physical shape. Moderate/Difficult, 8.8 miles, 1,300 feet elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot for a 9:00 AM departure. Contact Leader: Jane Luther at 758-8279 or [email protected].

Sunday, November 8 – Drift Creek Falls Plus. We’ll visit the spectacular suspension bridge over Drift Creek Falls, plus a couple of other special places along the coast north of Newport. Note: This is not the Drift Creek Wilderness, which we have visited in the past, but a small, dramatic natural area near Lincoln City.) Bring a light lunch or snacks; we’ll stop in Newport for chowder after the hike. Easy, not more than 5 miles, with 500 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for an 8:00 a.m. departure; possible late return. Contact leader: Ray Drapek, 541-754-7364 or [email protected]

Sunday, November 15 – Santiam Wagon Road to House Rock. Now a lovely trail near the South Santiam River, the Santiam Wagon Road was a major link across the Cascades in the late 1800s. It was also the crossing point for the first trans-continental auto trip. We’ll walk from a point near the one-time Mountain House Restaurant to House Rock Campground and impressive House Rock Falls. Easy/moderate, 4.8 miles, with 300 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 9:00 a.m. departure; possible late return. Contact leader: Ralph Nafziger, 541-926-4245 or [email protected]

Saturday, November 21 – Opal Creek to Jawbone Flats. Late fall is a great time to visit one of the last great ancient forest reserves of western Oregon. Gravel road one way, trail the other. At the end, a restored rustic mining camp. Moderate, 7 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot in Corvallis for an 8:30 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Randy Rasmussen,541-745-5452 or [email protected]

Friday, November 27 – Walk Off the Tofu (turkey eaters very welcome). A brisk loop walk on Vineyard Mountain roads from the Lewisburg Saddle in McDonald Forest. Good well-drained gravel roads; pleasant forests; occasional vistas over the Coast Range. Perhaps a detour down the newly rebuilt Old Growth Trail. Moderate, 7 miles, with 650 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Lewisburg Saddle for a 1:00 p.m. departure. Contact leaders: Irene and Armand Schoppy, 541-758-8591 or [email protected]

Saturday, November 28 – Woodland Walk near Corvallis. We’ll walk in one of the lovely woodland parks near Corvallis. Probably moderate level. Watch the weekly email for details. Contact leader: Lelia Barlow, [email protected] (e-mail preferred); 758-8279

Saturday, December 5 – Sulphur Springs to McCulloch. We’ll climb up the quickest route to this viewpoint atop McDonald Forest’s highest peak. If weather cooperates, we’ll have views of the Willamette Valley and foothills, perhaps even the Cascade Peaks draped in new snow. Back by the same route if weather’s bad, but may elect to make this a loop if it’s reasonably dry. A lower hike at Peavy Arboretum if weather’s really bad. Moderate/difficult, 6-7.8 miles, with 1,700 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 10:00 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Bruce Encke & Loretta Rivard, 541-753-6884 or [email protected]




THE BENCHMARK 7.

General Outing Policy

Saturday, December 12 – Marys Peak North Ridge/Tie Trail Loop. On this lower loop, we go up the North Ridge, across the Tie Trail, down the East Ridge, and return on Woods Creek Road. Old growth cedar, fir, and hemlock surround our route. If weather’s great, we may venture to the top. If it’s really bad, we’ll substitute something lower and shorter. Difficult, 9 miles, possibly more, with 2,300 feet of elevation gain. Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot (Arnold & 27th) for a 9:00 a.m. departure. Contact leader: Doris deLespinasse, 541-753-4775 or [email protected]

Saturday, December 26 – Ski, Snowshoe, or Hike. What we do will depend on snow levels, so watch the weekly email for details. Contact leader: Lelia Barlow, [email protected] (e-mail preferred); 758-8279

Friday, January 1 – New Years Day Walk. A New Year walk is a Marys Peak Group tradition, usually followed by a social gathering – watch the weekly email for details. If the weather’s not too bad, we’ll again go up a tree-lined gravel road from Oak Creek to Dimple Hill, with views over the valley – perhaps the Cascades, should we be very lucky. In really bad weather, we’ll walk in the Skyline/Witham Hill area. Moderate, not more than 7 miles, with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Meet at MLK Park parking area, on Walnut, across from Elmwood (formerly Walnut Park). 1:00 p.m. departure. Contact leader: Doris deLespinasse, 753-4775 or [email protected]

Saturday-Sunday, January 9-10 – Overnight Ski. Take in spectacular views of Cascade peaks on this overnight cross-country ski trip. We’ll leave Corvallis about 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, ski 4 miles up a moderately inclined trail to the Mountain View shelter, set up camp, and perhaps build an igloo. The shelter has five sleeping benches, an outhouse, wood stove, and plenty of firewood. The following morning we’ll explore some of the trails in the area, then head for home. This trip is suitable for intermediate level skiers. Contact leader: David Anderson, 758-7602 or [email protected]

Marys Peak Group welcomes all people to their outings program. However, the leader may deny participation in a particular outing if the participant is in any way unprepared. This includes but is not limited to physical fitness and health,

inadequate footwear and other clothing or gear, or inadequate experience with the particular activity.

ARRIVING FOR AN OUTING: Please contact the leader before an outing. Also, please arrive at the meeting point a few minutes early; we leave on time. Unless otherwise stated, carpool departures are from the OSU campus in Corvallis, at a parking lot between Wilkinson Hall and the Asian Cultural Center, Arnold and 27th Streets. Contact the leader to arrange to meet the group at a point other than the stated start point.

CARPOOLS: Suggested driver reimbursement is $2.50 for every hour driven; perhaps more when the roads are difficult or the number of riders is small. This is subject to change with gas price fluctuations.

DOGS: Dogs, other than certified assistance dogs, are allowed only on designated dog walks.

WHAT TO WEAR; WHAT TO BRING: Dress in layers appropriate for expected weather, with sturdy boots or walking shoes, usually rain gear, often hat and gloves, no jeans or heavy cottons for extended outings. Bring water, sunscreen, snacks, lunch if outing starts in the morning, any medications you might require.

LIABILITY WAIVER: All participants must sign a standard Sierra Club liability waiver before each outing. To read the liability waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, please see http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/, or contact the National Sierra Club Outings Department at (415) 977-5528 for a printed version. A parent or legal guardian must sign a form for a person under 18. Neither the Sierra Club nor the Marys Peak Group is responsible for participants during the trips to and from the trailhead.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH & FITNESS: It is the participant’s responsibility to evaluate his or her fitness for any Marys Peak Group activity. Please talk with your leader if you have any doubts about whether you are ready for a particular outing. Please bring any medications you may need. Let your leader know if you have any heath conditions which may be a problem during the trip. Examples might be diabetes, insect bite allergies, or heart conditions.

http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/


8. THE BENCHMARK

MPG CAMPING TRIPSSEPTEMBER–JANUARY, 2009-2010

Friday-Sunday, September 11-13 – Waldo Lake area camping trip. Waldo Lake is located about 65 miles southeast of Eugene in the Cascades at 5,414 feet. It is Oregon’s second largest lake, with clear blue water. We will leave Friday morning, September 11th and set up camp on or near the lake. We will hike Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning, returning Sunday afternoon, September 13th. Depending upon the interests of the group we will have hikes of moderate and difficult levels. Participants will bring their own tents and food. Early expression of interest is encouraged so we can make appropriate camp ground arrangements. Modest cost required to cover camping fees. Contact leader: Bob Custer, 541/745-3994 or [email protected]; Mike Neeley-Brown

Thursday-Monday, September 17-21 – Southern Oregon Coast Lodge Trip. We’ll stay four nights in a comfortable fishing lodge just north of Port Orford, and our group will occupy the entire lodge. Each double room has its own bathroom. Delicious light breakfast provided. The trip will include moderate day hikes overlooking and along the Oregon Coast, to such well-known areas as Cape Blanco, Cape Sebastian, and Blacklock Point. Contact leaders: Jim and Nancye Ballard, 541/752-4441 or [email protected]

Wednesday-Thursday, September 23-24 - Double Hike-Campout: Scott Mt. and Tam McArthur Rim. We’ll squeeze in two midweek hikes on two opposite sides of the Three Sisters. Wednesday we’ll pass a number of lakes on our way to climb Scott Mountain. Moderate, 8.2 miles, with 1,300 feet elevation gain. After a night of “light” camping near Sisters at Cold Springs Campground (dinner at a restaurant in Sisters), we’ll drive south of town to Tam McArthur Rim for an almost “aerial overlook of the Three Sisters.” The foliage should be ablaze. Moderate, 5 miles, with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. 8:00 take-off time. Preregistration required; wilderness limit of 12. Contact leaders: Leslie Hogan, [email protected] or 541-924-0130; co-leader, Karl Harzell.

Saturday-Sunday, January 9-10 – Overnight Ski. Take in spectacular views of Cascade peaks on this overnight cross-country ski trip. We’ll leave Corvallis about 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, ski 4 miles up a moderately inclined trail to the Mountain View shelter, set up camp, and perhaps build an igloo. The shelter has five sleeping benches, an outhouse, wood stove, and plenty of firewood. The following morning we’ll explore some of the trails in the area, then head for home. This trip is suitable for intermediate level skiers. Contact leader: David Anderson, 758-7602 or [email protected]

Marys Peak Group offers several camping trips and one lodge trip. Currently scheduled ones are below, but a few additional informal camping/hiking trips may be added; watch the weekly e-mail. Space is limited on each outing. These often fill months in advance, so you are encouraged to contact the leader early if one interests you. The cost to participate in an extended outing varies with the destination and activity.


THE BENCHMARK 9.

MPG EVENING PROGRAMSOCTOBER–NOVEMBER, 2009

Nambia: Land of Open SpacesThursday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m., Corvallis/Benton County Public Library

In April 2009, a group of 12 adventurers from the Willamette Valley traveled to Namibia, a country situated on the west coast of southern Africa. Namibia is a land of striking geographic contrasts: deserts, grassy plains, granite mountains. Tasha Wulff will recount the experiences of the group as they traveled 2,500 miles from the Fish River Canyon, to the red dunes of Sossuvlei, to Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa’s finest game reserves.

Build Lebanon Trails: A Community Partnership for Health and the OutdoorsThursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Corvallis/Benton County Public Library

The Build Lebanon Trails project is an outstanding example of how diverse interests in a relatively small community can come together to create an extensive project that benefits the entire community. Mollie Kerins, Rodney Sell, Nancy Kirks, and Mark Swenson relate their experiences in working together to create a system of more than 50 miles of trails in the greater Lebanon area. They will describe their project and how they built a coalition, developed a comprehensive plan, involved local residents, including young people, and obtained funding for the project, which was awarded the 2007 Distinguished Service Award for “Community Group of the Year.”


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M a r y s Pea k G rou p , S i er ra Cl u b 2 0 0 9 E xec u t i v e C om m i t tee E l ec t i on s

Debra Higbee~member since 1987. Has held many positions in the Sierra Club. Presently the political chair for MPG. Served on Eugene Many River ExCom for years. If elected, would like to engage in the process of being environmentally aware and acting on that awareness. Issues of interest include energy, politics, and helping others join in the MPG goal towards a healthy environment.

Nancy Rockwell~Member since 2007. Has volunteered for the SOLV beach cleanup with MPG. Volunteer with the Salem Chemeketans on trail maintenance and as a hike leader and coordinator. Has long been interested in environmental issues. Served 15 years as the recycling coordinator of her elementary school. Serves on the recycling team with The Assistance League of Salem. Wants to serve because it would be interesting to learn the behind the scenes workings of the MPG. Hopes to give useful input to the organization.

Ray Drapek~Member for 10 years. Trip leader for the last five years. Led MPG Pacific Crest Trail backpack for the last two summers, the McKenzie River rafting trip, miscellaneous day hikes, and cross country ski trips. Has enjoyed the benefits of the work done by past ExCom members and feels it is his turn to help out. Has over 10 years

experience working on the board of the Audubon Society of Corvallis. Helped to establish the Hesthavn Nature Center.

Bob Custer, incumbent~Member since 1999. Has led hikes and backpacks for MPG, and served as the backpack chair for a number of years. Has extensive experience with environmental issues. Wants to serve because he believes MPG outdoor programs are successful, valuable and should be continued and expanded.

Robert Verhoogen~member since 1985. MPG day outing leader. Actively follows media coverage to stay abreast of environmental issues. Attends lectures and presentations on environmental subjects. Wants to continue to provide a fresh perspective on how MPG functions, with greater emphasis on communicating among members and more even composition of day outing groups.

MPG Sierra Club Executive Committee has three positions open this year. Elected candidates will serve two-year terms. Below are the five candidates and their statements. To place your vote for your choice of three candidates, check the corresponding boxes on the attached form at the bottom of the page and mail to the address below by November 1. Or, place your vote via e-mail to Denise Cooper at [email protected].

Please check the box adjacent to your three choices only. All ballots must be received by November 1 (members only, please).

£ Bob Custer, incumbent £ Nancy Rockwell £ Ray Drapek £ Robert Verhoogen £ Debra Higbee

Mail form to: MPG Elections, PO Box 863, Corvallis, OR. 97339. Electronic votes may be sent via e-mail to: [email protected], with MPG ballot on the subject line. All ballots must be received Nov. 1.


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2 0 0 9 E xec u t i v e C om m i t tee E l ec t i on s MPG Positions Open

We need caring, dedicated people to help the Marys Peak Group’s efforts to develop in a number of crucial areas:

• Political team members – Would you be willing to become involved in political issues relating to the environment or supporting a candidate for election? How about engaging in lobbying? Contact MPG Political Chair Debra Higbee at [email protected].

• Conservation/Sustainability Chair – Are you an organizer who is interested in environmental issues? We need you to help develop a team to attend meetings of government agencies to monitor their activities and testify at hearings, as well as come up with and implement creative local conservation projects.

• Membership Chair – Do you like to communicate with people? Are you able to organize tabling events? Help assure the future of the environment by getting more people interested and involved in MPG activities.

If you would like to volunteer, or have further questions on any of these efforts, contact Barry Wulff at [email protected], or 541-929-6272.

Clear Lake Trail, Cascade Mountains, Oregon. Photo by Lori Fluge-Brunker.


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continued from front page

I bring up Roosevelt’s important insight because Oregon’s 48th legislative session will be starting soon, and I believe we, in the Marys Peak Group, can make a difference, especially if we take Roosevelt’s advice.

There will be important environmental issues to keep track of during the next session. In particular, there are two issues that our political representatives especially need our help with–which I believe are the definitive environmental issues of our time–global warming and energy issues.

Both are integrally related, and our representatives failed in the last session to pass important energy and greenhouse gas legislation. They eliminated a bill setting limits on liquefied natural gas. They passed a pork-laden, car-centric transportation package that promotes costly sprawl. They rolled back renewable energy standards and failed to pass a cap-and-trade bill, responding instead to the pressures of corporate lobbyists. Nevertheless, as irrefutable scientific research has revealed, these important issues demand our immediate action.

In response to this need for action, two paths have presented themselves. One is the path of an energy renaissance brought on by research and innovation, supported by public and private incentives with continual feedback of what works and what doesn’t.

Such a path calls for legislation that curtails subsidization of coal, oil, and our old way of doing business, and supports new innovative solutions. This path requires a committed and aware public that understands the urgent need.

The second path is to continue what we’ve been doing, and stop progressive ideas through inaction and denial. This requires a silent, unaware public not included in the scientific discoveries and the decision-making process. The second path is the one much of society has been on for many years.

However as with any problem, whether it is personal, societal, or national, it can be viewed from the perspective of fear or of opportunity. Politics is a process of solving problems. Too often politicians attempt to solve problems from the perspective of fear. However, viewing problems as opportunities will open us to a wider array of solutions that fear closes us to.

Politicians will say, as they did last session, that we cannot afford to tackle environmental problems in a time of double-digit unemployment and rising prices. However, this

is viewing it from the perspective of fear–from within a bubble, outside of nature’s systems. Alternately, from the perspective of opportunity, unemployment and rising prices are solved with a “systems” mind-set.

This mind-set is an ecological, real-world one that includes the environment within the solution. Solving problems outside of an environmental perspective is not reality, and as we have experienced this is a short-term solution. We are not outside of nature or the environment.

If we have the courage to see the world as it is, we will see the opportunity that appears when the environment is part of the solution and is seen as our economic base. We will see how nature uses energy. We will see how it wards off entropy, the opposite of wise energy use. And we will realize that in nature, wise energy users are rewarded with survival.

So how will we in the Marys Peak Group rise to Roosevelt’s challenge? We will keep track of good environmental bills, lobby our representatives in support of these bills, keep track of how they vote on them, and hold them accountable. Please join us in discovering the many ways we can “go out and make them do it.” If you’re interested in becoming involved, please contact me at [email protected].

Metolius River and Mt. Jefferson. Photo: Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Web site.


THE BENCHMARK 13.

Sierra Club Service Award

The Marys Peak Group’s own Barry Wulff was selected to receive the Sierra Club’s 2009 Susan E. Miller Award, which honors administrative contributions to groups, chapters and regional entities. The award will be presented on September 26 in San Francisco at the Club’s annual dinner.

Barry has been chairman of the Marys Peak Group since 1999, and under his leadership this relatively small group has expanded to well over 2,000 members who participate in a large number of diverse outings and conservation activities. This growth and activity has been primarily due to Barry’s contagious enthusiasm and creative innovations.

Few people in this area have done more to increase awareness of the environment and the need for preserving it, and who has reached so many others than has Barry Wulff. Since he is retiring from the MPG chairmanship after ten vital years in that position, we are thrilled that he will finally be officially recognized for his huge contributions.

SUSAN E. MILLER NATIONAL AWARDGoes to Barry Wulff

Congratulations, Barry!


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If you have visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium, you have probably seen some of my favorite critters, the rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, and the black oystercatchers that nest on the islands and cliffs off the Eastern Pacific Coast.

Since retiring as a toolmaker and manufacturing engineer in 2000, I have had the extraordinary good fortune to volunteer as a field biologist with young scientists from Point Reyes Bird Observatory and OIKONOS, working with and studying these and other marine birds that make their living in and on the ocean. My tasks were taking weekly censuses of cliff nesting pelagic cormorants on the mainland, and making overnight trips to Año Nuevo Island off the San Mateo County coast in Northern California to count the marine birds and their nesting success during the spring and summer breeding season.

This bird’s story begins in the El Niño years of 1997 and 1998. Storms lashed Año Nuevo Island that winter, wiping all vegetation and most of the soil off the top surface of the island, leaving the sandstone substrate.

T h e s e w o n d e r f u l rhinoceros auklets, which are medium sized puffins, lost 90 percent of their nesting burrows. The i r numbe r s plummeted during the counts the following breeding season. The rhinos rebounded slightly in 1999 and 2000, but never were able to sustain their previous population numbers. The Cassin’s auklets, a related species, almost disappeared completely from the island, with only 10 birds at last count.

Two plans for recovery emerged during brainstorming sessions the fall and winter of 2000-2001. The first plan involved bringing several tons of dirt, plants, and hemp mesh

Acerorhinca Moncerata the Rhinoceros Auklet

by Lon Otterby

to the island. Every Zodiac trip to the island meant carrying all our gear in dry bags for three to four people per boatload. We had to clear the Zodiac launch area of elephant seals, launch the Zodiac at high tide because of the shallow depth in the channel, pound on the sides of the Zodiac continually all the way to island to warn off the thousands of California seal lions surfing the channel, and clear the landing zone of elephant seals.

As we launched and landed the

Zodiac, leopard sharks would swarm our feet on both sides of the channel. On landing, we carefully climbed the 20 foot cliff, cleared the sea lions from the top of the island, and moved swiftly to the old Coast Guard barn with a dry bag on top of our heads to ward off the swarming Western gulls protecting their nest sites.

Once in the barn, we stripped off the wet suits, got dressed, and found our bicycle helmets that we wore for protection the

Ano Nuevo Island off the San Mateo County coast in Northern California.

A Rhinoceros Aucklet at Ano Nuevo Island.


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Lon Otterby

whole time on the island. We laid out the new dirt, covered it with the hemp matting, cut holes for planting, and planted the seedlings. Then we surveyed the damage from the El Niño storms to the nesting burrows again and found the numbers to be worse than we had first believed. On top of that, as the weeks passed, the brown pelicans and the California sea lions destroyed almost all of our work to replant the island. The other bad news was that without plants to hold the dirt, the weight of the sea lions was crushing the remaining burrows.

We then petitioned the Feds, the California State Fish and Game, and the University of California Reserve System to implement our second plan. They approved because of the listing status of both the rhinoceros and Cassin’s auklets.The agencies were concerned that we would disturb the colonies of marine mammals on the island during the restoration project.

We built 90 wooden nest boxes with removable lids and 4-inch diameter holes in one side. We buried these boxes (with a large rock on the lid) near other existing natural burrows, inserted a 3-4 foot long underground ABS plastic pipe in the box, and dug an access opening at the end of the pipe.

The next spring, with crossed fingers, we began checking on the boxes when the rhinos had returned for the breeding season. By the end of the season, we had birds in 80 of the boxes, had successfully fledged chicks in 48, and had only five of the boxes crushed by Sea Lions. On top of this success, the Cassin’s had returned to their smaller boxes as well.

We were feeling pretty good at this point, only to get kicked in the teeth again. The next two springs we had almost no northwest winds to start upwelling and bring nutrients to the surface along the California current. Along with over fishing, the lack of upwelling brought about a collapse in juvenile rockfish, the primary prey of the auklets.

However, there were lots of anchovies around, and the desperate parent birds turned to the anchovies to feed their young. The parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the young. They must fly into and out of the burrows at night to avoid the predatory Western gulls . In the spring, we would set up our eight-foot high mist nets (nets made from mesh that is invisible to the birds) from 9 p.m. till midnight five times in June and July. We would space ourselves, stretching

out on the ground in 2 inch deep guano along the mist nets with our heads against the support poles waiting for a bird to hit. Surprisingly, I only fell asleep twice doing this, once to be awakened by a brown pelican hitting my net. This pelican had about 50 anchovies in its bill that it promptly dumped all down my front as I picked it up to release it from the net. With no shower or change available, everyone avoided me for the rest of that trip.

As the rhino auklets hit the net, we collected all the fish they had in their grooved bills, weighed and measured them, fitted them with a leg band, and released them with a toss into the night air. The fish they were carrying during the lean years were almost always anchovies. Once in a while, they would have a juvenile lantern fish. The anchovies were almost always way too big for the chicks to swallow, so we would need to check all the nest boxes and pull the anchovies out of the throats of choking chicks. Unfortunately, we would find chicks that had choked to death during the times we were not on the island to help.

In 2005-2007, California’s Marine Life Protection Act was implemented, and the waters around Año Nuevo Island were designated a “no take” area. By last fall, numbers of juvenile rockfish had rebounded somewhat, and the bird populations were up a bit, with 205 nesting Rhinoceros Auklets. Interestingly, I don’t know how we came up with an odd number for this count.

This year, disaster struck unaccountably and the oceans were

empty. There has been a large die-off of Brandt’s cormorants and California sea lions. The Steller’s sea lions, the northern fur seals, and the elephant seals seem to be doing okay at Año, maybe because their food sources are further off shore. The funding for the research with Año’s marine birds has dried up, so I don’t know their status this year.

I miss those little guys with their little horns, all wide-eyed coming out of their burrows for the first time. Working with them was a great adventure for a few years. I have a PDF file of the research from 2007 from PRBO, should anyone want more information on the project. The young scientists of OIKONS and PRBO continue to do amazing work with marine birds, including three of my other favorite birds; the black-footed albatross, the sooty shearwater, and the northern fulmar.

For additional information, go to: http://www.oikonos.org/projects/ano.htm, or, http://www.prbo.org/cms/149.

continued from page 14

http://www.oikonos.org/projects/ano.htm

http://www.prbo.org/cms/149.continued


16. THE BENCHMARK

ON TO THE BOARDWALK

Wetlands, sometimes called swamps, bogs, marshes, or swales, depending upon your inferential intention, are abundant in the soggy Pacific Northwest. They are difficult to walk in much of the year. Without some sort of elevated walkways, we might never enter these spongy grasslands and mucky woods. But wetlands are just too interesting and beautiful to ignore, so we build boardwalks.

In the Corvallis area there are a number of boardwalks worth visiting. The Bob Frenkel Boardwalk in the Jackson/ Frazier Wetland is a good place to start. Though many agencies and individuals were needed to see the building of this boardwalk to completion and are still involved in its management, Bob Frenkel is credited with the preservation of this vast acreage.

Located in north Corvallis, you can find it at the end of Lancaster Street, off Conifer Boulevard two blocks west of Cheldelin Middle School. This quiet space on the edge of town features more than 70 species of birds and 300 species of flowering plants. It is a loop walk two-thirds of a mile in length with observation decks, an information board and a seasonal guarantee of hearing the haunting notes of red-winged blackbirds.

A much smaller and less secluded boardwalk can be found in west Corvallis at Sunset Park-Dunawi Creek at the corner of 45th Street and Country Club Road. The area is a restored wetland the size of a sacrificed softball field, designed to protect the Dunawi Creek ecosystem. The half-mile pathway, also a loop, combines compacted gravel and a boardwalk made of recycled plastic wood. The path takes you over a mitigated pond, along side an ash woods

and through an open area of extensive native plantings, still young and growing.

Not too far away from Sunset Park is The Mary’s River Natural Park on Brooklane Drive. From highway 20 near Parker Stadium, turn south at the light onto Brooklane and go nine-tenths of a mile. Turn left into an almost hidden entrance to an unkempt gravel parking area. The boardwalk across the open wetland, which in the summer has the feel of a mid-western prairie, begins at an information kiosk a

little in and to the south of the parking area. The walk takes you along the edge of a 74-acre parcel of winter marshes and summer grasslands brimming with Queen Ann’s Lace and territorial hummingbirds and finishes at a platform near the Mary’s River, unseen down a steep embankment. Turn around and return the same way.

Out of town but still an easy drive away is Finley Wildlife Refuge. Travel south 10 miles from Corvallis to milepost 93 on Highway 99W. Turn west on Finley Refuge Road. Watch for the refuge entrance sign on the west side of the road. Follow refuge signs for nearly two miles to a sign on the left for the Homer Campbell Memorial Trail.

Homer Campbell was an ardent Audubon member and environmentalist, and his namesake boardwalk is another out-and-back boardwalk high off the ground through thick woods hung profusely with old man’s

beard. There is such a swampy feel to the place one expects to see alligator lurking below. Instead, on a recent walk, we surprised a fully racked buck and its mate. They madly thrashed their way through the undergrowth to escape our intrusion.

The walkway takes you 1,700 feet through the Muddy Creek flood plain. At the end is an observation blind overlooking Cabell marsh, a favorite habitat for large flocks of migratory waterfowl, plenty of heron, and numbers of birds of prey.Most of the refuge trails are closed from November through

March to protect wintering dusky Canada geese, but the boardwalk remains open all year.

Doing an about face and driving east and north from Corvallis, two boardwalks can be found in the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. From Albany, drive 10 miles north on I-5 to exit 243, Ankeny Hill Road. Drive west 0.25 mile to an intersection of Ankeny Hill Road and Wintel Road. Turn left on Wintel Road and travel two miles to the trail head for Rail Trail Loop on the left. The boardwalk serpentines through ash woods to a blind overlooking a pond that grows and shrinks with the seasons. The walk then carries on, bridging

Story & photos by Leslie & Jim Hogan

Jim and Leslie Hogan.

Cattails at Bob Frenkel Boardwalk.



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continued from pg.16

pond and marsh. Duck viewing here is superb. One can continue the walk on a grassy dike or return by the boardwalk.

Just six-tenths of a mile to the left as you exit onto Wintel Road is yet another boardwalk, shorter, to be sure, but it carries one over Frog Pond to an artfully camouflaged blind that allows secluded viewing over three mighty marshes and a pond. Not only fowl, but beaver as well, can be sighted at dusk on the ponds and backwaters of this area.

Though the farthest away, the Dr. Beemer Boardwalk is a find. It starts at the northeast corner of the Agate Beach parking lot on the east side of Ocean View Drive. Drive north through Newport; turn left at the stop light on 25th and right on Ocean View Drive. Try walking this 2-3 mile creek-side, round trip trail when spring sunlight shoots through the newly leafed canopy to illuminate hundreds of yellow skunk cabbage. Dazzling.

There are more boardwalks to be found, of course, many just short spans on longer walks, but all are unfailingly enchanting. The wildlife and flora as seen from above ground level await your viewing pleasure.

Blind at Ankeny Hill Boardwalk.

Homer Campbell Boardwalk.

Restored wetland at Sunset Park-Dunawi Creek Boardwalk.

Turtle watching at Ankeny Marsh, Ankeny Hill Boardwalk.

Marys River Natural Park Boardwalk.


ellowstone National Park is truly a diverse and interesting place to visit and hike. We were lucky to have Larry Davis as our guide and trip organizer, since he grew up near the park in Belgrade, Montana. His parents, Rich and Norie Davis, as well as relatives, nieces and nephews, were very gracious and did much work with the food and organizing. We were fortunate enough to have Rich, Norie, and nieces Kelsie and Naomi join us on our trip to the park.

The Davis family hosted all 12 of us at their home in Belgrade on our first night and treated us to a tremendous family and friends BBQ. The neighbors may have been a little skeptical when the “tent village” sprang up on their front lawn, but by early morning we were packed and headed to Yellowstone.

We entered the park through the Roosevelt Arch, which announces that the park was dedicated in 1872 “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.” Enjoy it we did! On our way to our campsite, we stopped at some lovely canyons and natural features like bubbling mud pots, the highlight of those being Mammoth Hot Springs. The minerals coming from the steaming springs cause ledges and pools to build up. Beautifully colored bacteria thrive in the heat of the springs and makes them an amazing sight to see. While walking around looking at the springs, a thunderstorm

continued on next page 18. THE BENCHMARK

By Nancy Rockwell

Majestic Yellowstonebuilt up and put on quite a show. Some of us that were ill-prepared (and wet) were reminded that we should always carry the essentials!

We were hoping to see animals in the park and we were not disappointed. On this first day we saw a mother black bear and two very cute cubs playing by the side of the road. As we drove on we were amazed to see a huge herd of mother and baby bison swim across the river, with a lot of huffing a puffing, and walk up out of the

river and across the road in front of our van. Although we did see pelicans, geese, pronghorn sheep, deer, a coyote, and elk later in the trip, it was hard to beat these first experiences.

We set up camp in a very pleasant group camp ground very near huge Yellowstone

Lake. As we began cooking dinner, another thunderstorm came in and we ended up cooking with people holding plastic tablecloths over the cooks! This didn’t stop anyone from enjoying Larry’s chili. It was delicious, as were all our meals. Did I mention that Larry’s mom, Norie, is a professional candy maker? Her homemade Almond Roca is really good!

We began hiking the second day with a trip up Mt. Washburn to the lookout where we had an excellent view of the huge caldera

and the surrounding mountains that gave us an idea of the vastness of the park. At one point on the hike we had bighorn sheep walking along right next to us! On the hike down, after passing through meadows filled with wildflowers, we ended up walking along the Yellowstone River and were able to peer into the vast canyon named “The Grand

Nancy Rockwell

Yellowstone participants, standing: Kelsie Peterson, Norie Davis, Richard Davis, Elizabeth Seibert, Naomi Peterson, Larry Davis, Lelia Barlow, Bob Custer, Nancy

Rockwell, Rick Cooper, Debi Gile, Doris deLespinasse. Kneeling: Rick Quam, Randy Selig, Caryl Uhler, Ranger Christine Soczek, Cindy Quam, Jessica Jern.

Y


THE BENCHMARK 19.

Canyon of the Yellowstone” with all its colorful formations and steep drop-offs. The next day was “Geyser Day” and we joined all the tourists in the Old Faithful area geyser basin. The area, including Old Faithful, has boardwalks along the path of the many geysers. We were treated to spectacular eruptions by some, bubbling and jumping of others, and colorful, quiet beauty at some of the pools. The geysers were so interesting that we spent another day hiking into a “geyser hillside” and going to a different geyser area that looked quite a bit different than the Old Faithful basin. We spent a day at the north end of the park for a long hike beginning in the Lamar Valley. This hike was up and down

continued from page 18

mountains, through wildflower filled meadows, and had several stream crossings. It was a reminder of the diversity of the area since it was such a contrast to the geyser basins.

We saw a large, fresh, grizzly footprint. We kept hoping to see a grizzly, not TOO close, but we had no such luck. There were lots of rodents though! Since it was a hot day, it was great to sit with our feet in the stream at the end of the hike.

At the end of the week we split into two hiking groups, with one group doing a close in hike and another going to the top of Avalanche Peak with spectacular mountain views. That afternoon we were back on the tourist circuit

and visited all the beautiful spots along the Yellowstone Canyon. The favorite spot, for good reason, seemed to be Artist’s Point. It is aptly named since its beautiful views of Yellowstone Falls and the canyon have prompted many artists to paint from that spot.

We were all sorry to have to head home from such a beautiful place, and we were a little disappointed at not having seen wolves or grizzly bears. But as we were driving out of the park we spotted two large moose standing in the creek close to the road, giving us a grand view of them. It was a terrific way to end a wonderful trip!


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MPG Earth Day Tours

Twenty-four people (including 10 bikers) participated in a bike and car tour organized by David Eckert, Jane Luther and Karl Hartzell. The tour explored nine different recessed “rain” gardens around Corvallis, which were designed to control and treat storm water runoff, conserve chlorine-free water, protect the local streams as well as save money. Eckert and horticulturist David Sandrock, Ph.D., showed the group examples that work, examples that don’t work and explained how one’s property can be used to revive life back into the local ancient streams while beautifying a yard.

Wings of Wonder Group at Butterfly Farm.

This outing, led by MPG educational tour coordinator, Marilyn Hinds, took participants on a trip to a tropical wonderland conservatory in Polk County, near the Buena Vista ferry. “Wings of Wonder” is Oregon’s only year-round expansive live butterfly exhibit and on-site rearing lab. After viewing the painted lady and other

types of chrysalis, accompanied by an educational explanation by the owners, participants then strolled through the display greenhouse, which featured many vibrantly hued free-flying exotic butterflies, frogs, songbirds and tropical plants.

Wings of Wonder Tour

Recession Gardens of Corvallis Tour

MPG Sponsored Two Tours on Earth Day, April 22nd


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MPG Memorial Day Camping Trip This year, 19 of us met at Schwarz Park near

Dorena Lake for MPG’s annual Memorial Day weekend camping trip. For those of you who haven’t been there, Schwarz Park is a lovely campground on the Row River, a short drive east of Cottage Grove. Some campsites are shaded by groves of stately Douglas firs, and others are on grassy expanses that give the whole place a sunny, open feel. On this busy weekend, most sites were spilling over with people having fun. There were babies, at least one woman in a walker, and all kinds of other reminders that our parks and campgrounds are important.

Our own temporary home consisted of five sites lined up along the edge of the river, to which we laid claim on Friday afternoon, May 22. We prepared meals in separate groups, but we gathered at the middle site each evening to imbibe and trade stories. Our fire ring was well-supplied with wood from Tom, Jiffy Pop from Daryl, and marshmallows from everyone who thought to bring some.

On Saturday, we hiked a five-mile loop along Brice and Trestle Creeks, with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. The trail was steep at times, so I heard a little moaning and contributed some of my own, but we were rewarded with close-up views of two waterfalls. Prize wild flower sightings included calypso lilies, patches of white iris, and a lone and lovely deep pink trillium. The forest was as lush as one would expect of the Northwest Coast, with vine maples and beautiful, old growth Doug firs. The weather was perfect.

On Sunday, those of us with less than iron legs (that would be me and five others) took a leisurely hike on the Row River Rail Trail, the paved bike path that follows the old railroad line from Dorena Lake to Cottage Grove. For lunch, we lingered in a pretty park at Mosby Creek Trail head, a sweet little place that is worth a stop if you are ever nearby. Our picnic table was next to a covered bridge and across from a house with three

carved bears, the kinds of bears that can look corny but were just right in that setting.

Meanwhile, Tom Bucht was leading twelve intrepid hikers on a rigorous hike toward June Peak. The goal was the top of the mountain, but their destination was still nowhere in sight after 4.5 challenging miles and 2,300 feet of gain. That was when Tom declared their location to be “mini-June” and turned the group around for the 4.5 miles return. They drove back into camp in the late afternoon and staggered out of their cars looking tired and dusty, but their eyes were still sparkling, and they managed to regale us for hours with their stories. From the sounds of it, the hike was marked by generous amounts of both hard work and laughter. We never learned exactly what was so funny, but one of the jokes had something to do with an old stocking ad. Some other highlights included monkey flowers, a beautiful field of chocolate lilies, and vistas of the snowy Misty Mountains.

We packed our tents on Monday morning. Some of us took one last, short hike part way around the paved path skirting Dorena Lake. It was a tame venture with no elevation gain, but it was just enough. Then we were off for home. Thank you, Tom, for another Memorial Day weekend that was enjoyable and very well planned.

If you would like to visit the Dorena Lake area, head south past Eugene to Cottage Grove, take exit 174, and go east on Row River Road for just a few miles. It’s only about an hour and a half from Corvallis.

Barbara Loeb

By Barbara Loeb


22. THE BENCHMARK

NEAT STUFF FOR SALE~SUPPORT MPG!!

Show off your local Sierra Club Group bypurchasing a special MPG T-shirt!

Pre-shrunk neutral gray cotton Women’s - S, M, L, and XL

Men’s - S, M, L, and XL

$16 each

To purchase yours, contact Jane Luther, [email protected], or

541-758-8279

They are as beautiful as ever!

Available now!

Contact Jane Luther, [email protected], or 541-758-8279

2010 Sierra Club Calendars

Wall Calendars $13.00

Desk Calendars $14.00

Marys Peak Group T-Shirt Sales!

Wall Calendar Desk Calendar


THE BENCHMARK 23.

PAST MPG OUTINGS

On Sunday, July 12, ten participants enjoyed the MPG’s now annual wine tasting tour of five Willamette Valley wineries. The leader, Steve Ford, not only drove the rented bus, but also entertained the group with amusing anecdotes and little-known wine facts. Wineries visited were Van Duzer, Bethel Heights, where participants enjoyed a picnic lunch on the wooden deck overlooking a magnificent view of the valley, St. Innocent, where they were treated to a fascinating tour of the wine making facilities, Cristom and Witness Tree wineries.

YAMHILL OAKS PRESERVE

On June 5, an MPG group of 13 were privileged to be the first members of the public to tour the Nature Conservancy’s newly-acquired 272 acre Yamhill Oaks Preserve in the rolling hills west of McMinnville. The preserve will protect rare plants and wildlife in native prairie and Oak savanna habitats, which are increasingly imperiled across the Willamette Valley. Healthy populations of Fender’s blue butterfly and Kincaid’s lupine are found on the property, both of which are federally protected species. The preserve also includes 1.5 miles of stream habitats important to fish and wildlife in the headwaters of Deer Creek. With the lack of trails on the new property, the group enjoyed an icy stream crossing in bare feet and borrowed boots.

MPG’S ANNUAL WINE TASTING TOUR


Y Get Involved!

ou joined the Sierra Club because you like the outdoor life, or because you want to support the environment. The Marys Peak Group offers opportunities to engage more actively in both. Here are a few areas you may wish to involve yourself.

• Trail maintenance/building – Interest in working on local and regional trails? There’s a regular schedule for trail building and maintenance here in the Willamette Valley. Contact: Denise Nervik at [email protected]

• Leading outings – enjoy working with people in group settings? How about leading an outing, such as a snowshoe or ski trip, hike, rafting adventure, backpack or special field trip of interest? Training is available. Contact: Doris deLespinasse at [email protected]

• Conservation/Sustainability – You may be interested in specific environmental issues, and would be willing to attend meetings of government agencies to monitor their activities and testify at hearings. Contact: Barry Wulff at [email protected].

• Political activism – How about engaging in lobbying? Would you be willing to become involved in political issues relating to the environment or supporting a candidate for election? Contact: Debra Higbee at [email protected]

• Graphics/Illustration – Have you graphics and illustration skills? Have access to Adobe InDesign on CS2 or CS3? Like making displays for events and booths? Contact: Barry Wulff at [email protected]

• Fundraising – Do you like to promote activities for organizations? Like to meet people? How about producing concerts or managing a party? Do you have fundraising skills? Contact: Barry Wulff at [email protected]

• Membership – Do you like to communicate with people? Are you able to organize tabling events? Help assure the future of the environment by getting more people interested and involved in MPG activities. Contact: Kay Yates at [email protected]

• Writing/photography – Do you

like to write? Would you like to research an issue and then write about it? Are you handy with a digital camera? Want to show off your camera skills? Contact: Barry Wulff at [email protected].

We Need Your Photos!

SIGN-UP FOR THE WEEKLY EMAIL The Marys Peak Group offers many activities other than those listed in the Benchmark. Our weekly email announces upcoming events and activities with complete contact information. You may sign-up to receive the weekly email by sending a note to Jane Luther at [email protected]. Or, if you have a Google account, you can subscribe by going to: http://groups.google.com/group/marys-peak-group/subscribe and choose “E-mail - send each message to me as it arrives” (the message “Approximately 1 e-mail per day” is incorrect; MPG weekly email will be sent once a week.) Your email will not be shared with other entities.

http://groups.google.com/group/marys-peak-group/subscribe

the benchmark fall 2009 - sierra club...natural areas and parks, the city of corvallis parks &...

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