My husband, friends, and I planned to go to Bagby Hot Springs on Christmas Day but I am confused on whether we are going to able to go due to road closers I am seeing on Mt. Hood National Forest site. Also it may just not be a good idea due to rain/snow expected that day and we don't have a 4 wheel drive vehicle.
Now we are looking for a good Christmas day adventure hike. Maybe other Hot Springs we aren't familiar with? We are willing to drive a bit, 3-4hrs max from Portland. It looks like it will be a very rainy day so a forest hike would be best. No more then 8 miles is preferred, and we love hikes like Eagle Creek but we have done it many times and want to do something different and exciting for Xmas Day.
New to the board so I apologize if I posted in the wrong forum. Thanks in Advance!
Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
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StinkyPineapples
- Posts: 3
- Joined: December 21st, 2014, 5:16 pm
Re: Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
This would be more resorty than adventurousy but you can combine both with the hot springs at www.belknaphotsprings.com
It is located right near the McKenzie River Trail so there is good hiking right there. What you lose in solitude you might gain back some of with plowed and maintained roads and pretty much zero route finding type issues.
It'd be a 2-3 hour drive depending on which way you go and how fast you like to drive. All highway either way, via Salem and Santiam Junction (and Clear Lake and 126). Or via Eugene (126 from the other end) if you want to avoid elevation on the drive..
I've never actually been there, just driven by it. There's gotta be something closer but it might be one to look if not.. I'd imagine it costs more if that's a factor.
It is located right near the McKenzie River Trail so there is good hiking right there. What you lose in solitude you might gain back some of with plowed and maintained roads and pretty much zero route finding type issues.
It'd be a 2-3 hour drive depending on which way you go and how fast you like to drive. All highway either way, via Salem and Santiam Junction (and Clear Lake and 126). Or via Eugene (126 from the other end) if you want to avoid elevation on the drive..
I've never actually been there, just driven by it. There's gotta be something closer but it might be one to look if not.. I'd imagine it costs more if that's a factor.
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greenjello85
- Posts: 554
- Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:31 pm
Re: Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
Bagby is accessible but you either have to drive to detroit and head north on FS 46 or go up highway 26 and head down towards timothy lake. Bagby is pretty low elevation once you get out there. There is almost no snow anywhere right now.
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Grannyhiker
- Posts: 4598
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Gateway to the Columbia Gorge
Re: Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
Breitenbush???
Re: Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
Welcome Stinkypineapple!
If you are willing to drive that far, going into the rainshadow of the Cascades could also be considered. Check hikes under Eastern Oregon in the Field Guide. I have a great love for Smith Rocks, but that may best be left for 1 January, when the State park does not charge a fee!
If you are willing to drive that far, going into the rainshadow of the Cascades could also be considered. Check hikes under Eastern Oregon in the Field Guide. I have a great love for Smith Rocks, but that may best be left for 1 January, when the State park does not charge a fee!
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…
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StinkyPineapples
- Posts: 3
- Joined: December 21st, 2014, 5:16 pm
Re: Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
Thank you so much for all the replies and suggestions going to look into all of them and will be sure to let you know how it goes.
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StinkyPineapples
- Posts: 3
- Joined: December 21st, 2014, 5:16 pm
Re: Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
Does anyone think I should be concerned about the trail or roads being flooded at Bagby due to all the rain we have gotten and are going to get?
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goingrouge
- Posts: 61
- Joined: May 21st, 2012, 8:28 pm
Re: Christmas Day Hike Reccomendations
If the rains do anything, it won't be flooding that would stop you, but landslides/sloughs. As has been said here before, its not the one you pull up to, it is the one that occurred behind you that is the problem. I am guessing that 224 is far from open and likely entire roads were washed put last week near the fire. Going around the (even) long(er) way is an adventure that will get you more solitude, and a long out and back. We went on Christmas last year, and it was crowded, albeit with simpler access. Old Growth in the middle of the winter rainy season is the best time to experience those forests in their true green-soaked glory.
It is too bad we cannot even likely get to much of the OG on the Upper Clackamas, like Alder Flats area.
Am I right about 224 being closed? Guess I can Google it. And here it is, straight from the horses mouth:
"After nearly four months of full closures and piloted escorts due to fire and rockfalls along Oregon Highway 224, local travelers can now travel the highway at any time of day or night without an escort starting at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
Hazards still exist on OR 224 along a nearly seven mile stretch between Promontory Park and the Carter Bridge due to the effects from the 36 Pit Fire. Local travelers should be alert to rocks and trees falling from the slopes and rocks in the roadway. Due to these hazards, the road will remain closed to all except local travelers.
ODOT crews placed signs warning travelers about the hazards and have lowered the speed limit in areas where rockfall hazards exist. Due to the increased risk for rockfalls, ODOT can close the road if an immediate threat of rockfall is observed. A significant rockfall can also close OR 224.
Travelers should carry an emergency kit in their vehicles and be prepared for emergency road closures due to rockfalls, slides, debris flows or downed trees.
ODOT will evaluate opening OR 224 to all travel in the spring of 2015."
It is too bad we cannot even likely get to much of the OG on the Upper Clackamas, like Alder Flats area.
Am I right about 224 being closed? Guess I can Google it. And here it is, straight from the horses mouth:
"After nearly four months of full closures and piloted escorts due to fire and rockfalls along Oregon Highway 224, local travelers can now travel the highway at any time of day or night without an escort starting at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
Hazards still exist on OR 224 along a nearly seven mile stretch between Promontory Park and the Carter Bridge due to the effects from the 36 Pit Fire. Local travelers should be alert to rocks and trees falling from the slopes and rocks in the roadway. Due to these hazards, the road will remain closed to all except local travelers.
ODOT crews placed signs warning travelers about the hazards and have lowered the speed limit in areas where rockfall hazards exist. Due to the increased risk for rockfalls, ODOT can close the road if an immediate threat of rockfall is observed. A significant rockfall can also close OR 224.
Travelers should carry an emergency kit in their vehicles and be prepared for emergency road closures due to rockfalls, slides, debris flows or downed trees.
ODOT will evaluate opening OR 224 to all travel in the spring of 2015."