Birds sing, bees buzz, and plants burst—life rebounds in the spring with such vigor it awakens the senses—as well as one’s seasonal allergies. It is worth it though! To me, watching the changes of spring through itchy, watery eyes is the bees-knees (oh, how we love those pollinators).
Spring is one of the best times to get outside and hike in Oregon. While warmer temperatures are inviting, longer daylight hours mean there is more time to hike. So, get out there and enjoy all the many hallmarks of spring. But don’t forget to read about them too.
1) Calloway Creek Trail
Enjoy a gentle ramble through Douglas-fir, Oregon white oak, and riparian forest in this short accessible loop. Calloway Creek is a favorite spring hike of mine—partly because of its proximity and partly because of the diversity of plants on the trail. There is so much to see in just a few miles, especially come spring.
At the beginning of March, or even February, some of the early spring arrivals show up—purple snow queen, oaks toothwort, and yellow stream violet add small splashes of color to the forest floor. Skinny stemmed Indian plum blooms—its white flowers dangle like earrings from the tips of droopy branches. And the long silky cream catkins of beaked hazelnut dance in the breeze.
By mid-April, giant while fawn lilies emerge and showstopping western Trillium are abundant on the trail, along with purple irises growing near the oak woodlands. Both salmonberry and Oregon grape bloom in technicolor—bright pink and yellow, respectively—while skinny striped trunks of the bitter cherry shoot our clusters of white popcorn blossoms with abandon. Some flowers are more difficult to spot. Play hunt-and-seek for dainty pink fairy slippers on the forest floor. Of course, these are just a few of the many wildflowers to see on this classic forest trail!
Location or Nearest Town: Corvallis, OR
Distance: 2.3 miles with about 200 feet of elevation gain
Difficulty: Easy
When to go: Year-round. April is best.
Why go? Shaded forests, wildflowers, and easy access.
Trail Curiosity: Phenology
Phenology is the study of the cyclical changes in living populations of organisms through the seasons. The phenomenon is something we are all familiar with—leaves turn color and fall in autumn and flowers blossom in spring, for instance. Annual migrations and hatchings are other examples.
These changes are predictable and are triggered by environmental cues, like temperature or humidity. Therefore, if a cue changes, the predictable behavior of the population will be affected too.
A change in the phenology, or timing of an event, is problematic—putting species ahead or behind schedule. For migratory animals, this could mean less food availability during a long journey. For plants, this could mean missing an important pollinator. As the climate changes, the study of phenology will help us understand the extent of all this decoupling.
You can get involved in the study of phenology by joining Oregon Season Trackers or other phenology programs in their area.
2) Trestle Creek Falls Loop
Hike under a canopy of Douglas-fir and western hemlock to two-tiered 65-foot Upper Trestle Creek Falls before looping down to a view of the less dramatic, log-choked Lower Trestle Creek Falls. The upper falls features an impressive rocky grotto that hikers access behind the falls to continue the loop. Moss, ferns, salal, and woodland sorrel blanket much of the forest. Leaning and down logs are also common. Look for western redcedar and madrone that spring up along the forest path. Rocky outcrops and peak-a-boo views of surrounding hillsides make the high interesting. Be ready for mud and some poison oak on the eastern part of the trail.
Spring is the best time to visit Trestle Creek Falls—waterfall flows are at their peak as the snow melts off the mountains and the forest is reinvigorated. Lush greenery really makes the forest feel magical and woodland wildflowers add whimsy to a spring day. Sitting at a low enough elevation, Trestle Creek does not generally have any snow remaining during the spring months.
Location or Nearest Town: Dorena, Oregon; upper trestle creek falls trailhead
Distance: 3.7 miles with about 1,200 feet elevation gain.
Difficulty: Moderate
When to go? Year-round with exception of winter storms. Spring is best.
Why go? Waterfalls and lush green forest.
Trail Curiosity: Streamflow
You may remember from elementary school that water is constantly recycled—the water cycle makes certain of that. Precipitation, evaporation, and condensation move water around from land to atmosphere to land again. Runoff, infiltration, subsurface flow, and groundwater flow move water above and below Earth’s surface. Water is cleaned and transported through these processes.
Streamflow is a measure of how much water is flowing in a stream or river at a time—often measured in cubic meters per second. In spring, streamflow values for rainfed streams in the Pacific Northwest often decline as rainfall declines across the state. However, in some parts of the region, the presence of mountains has resulted in a different story. Many of Oregon’s streams and rivers are snow-fed—meaning the water that feeds these streams comes primarily from melting snowpack that hangs around late into the summer. Snow-fed streams have more consistent streamflow—peaking in late spring, rather than winter. This is good news for anyone that needs water year-round, and all of us do.
However, there is concern about the future of the Pacific Northwest’s streamflow. Surface water, despite being extremely important, is extremely limited—streamflow accounts for only .006% of freshwater on the planet. As snowpack levels are threatened by a changing climate, peak streamflow timing is destined to change.
3) William L Finley National Wildlife Refuge
The variety of habitats in this 5,325-acre refuge makes it a fascinating place to visit. Upland prairie, oak savanna, wetlands, and mixed coniferous forests abound with different plant species and wildlife. Some of the habitats are rare, having been all but wiped off the map due to human development in the Willamette Valley. For example, wet prairie can only be seen in a few places on the planet—the refuge being one of them. Roosevelt Elk, black-tailed deer, bobcat, coyote, waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and beaver all occupy the refuge at one time or another.
With the onset of spring, activity in the refuge intensifies—movement, color, and sounds. Listen for Northern Flicker’s frequent drumming as they search out a mate. Watch the skies for barn swallows dipping and diving with the air currents. Then, of course, are the wildflowers—filling the meadows with color and decorating the forest floor. Rare flowers like Kincaid’s lupine and Golden paintbrush bloom here in the grassland habitats, along with Nelson’s checkermallow and Bradshaw’s lomatium. Buzzing about the wildflowers is a whole host of invertebrate visitors, like bees and beetles—many of which are pollinators. Look for the California bumblebee, yellow-faced bumble bee, Silvery Blue butterfly, Western Tiger Swallowtail, and Common Wood Nymph in the springtime fray.
Location or Nearest Town: South of Corvallis, OR
Distance: Varies; 8.4 for a mega loop; 455 feet elevation gain.
Difficulty: Moderate
When to go: May for wildflowers and pollinators. The full loop is open from April 1 to October 31st.
Why go? Wildlife viewing; unique habitats; wildflowers and their visitors.
Trail Curiosity: Pollinators
Seed plant reproduction starts with pollen. Unpleasant in the way it makes eyes itch and/or your nose run, the dispersal of pollen is an absolute must when it comes to plant reproduction. In flowering plants, male reproductive organs, known as stamen, produce pollen at their tips—the anther. From here the pollen is transported—by wind, water, insects, etc.—until it reaches the flower of a plant of the same species and is captured by the female reproductive organ, known as a pistil, on a structure called the stigma. Pollen’s movement from anther to stigma is known as pollination. Achoo!
Not surprisingly, as seed plant reproduction gets going, spring brings on the thrum and hum of pollinators—ready for a feast! Native pollinators in Oregon include bumblebees, leaf-cutting and mason bees, wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and bats. Oregon Bee Atlas has counted 650 different species of bees in Oregon! That is a lot of pollinators, rubbing elbows with the flowers.
Unfortunately, many pollinator populations are declining, and some are at risk of extinction. Endangered Fender’s blue butterfly with its fuzzy purple-blue wings is one such species. An obligate to Kincaid’s lupine—adults must lay their eggs on the underside of their leaves—Fender’s blue occurs in scattered populations across its limited range in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Habitat loss and degradation is the main threat to the species. Look for Fender’s Blue at Finley in late May when they emerge as adults.
4) Tom McCall Point
Nothing harkens to the wildflower season better than a hike on Tom McCall Point trail. As early as February, drooping grass widows and lacy-leaved desert parsleys emerge in the eastern Columbia River Gorge. By late April and into May, these give way to fields of golden balsamroot and purple lupine with a smattering of red paintbrush. Other less conspicuous delights include beautiful white-stem frasera, bicolored cluster lily, and popcorn flower. Seed pods of early blooming Columbia desert parsley are also common.
The trail system here takes you through channeled scablands left behind from glacial floods that scoured the area toward the end of the last ice age—about 18,000 to 15,000 years ago. Rocky outcrops and small ponds remain from the tumultuous period.
Escape the lingering clouds and rain in exchange for blue skies by heading east. Take in views of the Columbia River and its environs. A hike to Tom McCall point offers views of Mt. Adams to the east and Mr. Hood to the west.
Location or Nearest Town: Mosier, OR
Distance: 3.4 miles; approximately 1070 elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
When to go: February to May. Peak blooms are usually in late April/May
Why go?: Interesting geology, wildflowers, and blue skies
Trail Curiosity: Desert Blooms Adaptations
Wide-open spaces bring a bounty of spring color to Oregon’s dry sagebrush steep and grassland habitats. There is something alluring about these landscapes at this time of year. Everything is steeped in golden sunlight—a soft desert blush. Balsamroot blooms—rays of sun themselves—grow in stretches across the high plateaus of Eastern Oregon.
Desert flowers are not only beautiful, but they possess an inventive ruggedness that comes from spending all one’s days in such a harsh environment. High winds and low moisture are common challenges, but desert plants are well adapted to their home and can not only survive but thrive.
Arrowleaf balsamroot is a favorite desert wildflower for many. Showy and profuse with a bright yellow flowerhead, it attracts countless visitors to trails in April or May when the bloom reaches its peak. With a long taproot, it anchors to the ground, stabilizing the earth and holding the plant in often blustering winds. Above ground, balsamroot is about 2 feet tall, but below ground, it may grow to 3 or more feet long—reaching for water not available at the surface. Their long, heart-shaped leaves are sage green with thick hairs that act as a windbreaker, preventing desiccation.
5) Beazell Memorial Forest
Hike along rushing Plunkett Creek, past dozens of forest wildflowers before traversing up a slope to a grassy bald hillside with views of Marys Peak in the distance. Flowers color the bald and butterflies flutter in all directions in, looking for a sweet drink. Continue down the trail past second-growth Douglas-fir—a few older wolf trees with arms that reach out in all directions stand at attention as you begin your descent.
In early spring, the forest floor is lush and green and the water in the creek swells. As you hike past the mossy bigleaf maple just beginning to leaf out, make sure to look down—rough-skinned newts crawl along the path in droves in early spring. These toxic, yet amiable creatures migrate to breeding ponds in mass once a year. If you are lucky
Location or Nearest Town: Beazell Memorial Forest County Park; Kings Valley, OR
Distance: 4 miles; about 885 elevation gain.
Difficulty: Easy /Moderate
When to go: April to May
Why go? Shaded riparian forest, upland prairie, wildflowers, gorgeous stream, and Newts (if you get the timing right!)
Trail Curiosity: Newt Spring Migration and Breeding
With the onset of spring in the western valleys of Oregon, rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa) are on the move. Breeding season for these charismatic creatures is usually March to May for Oregon’s bottomlands. During this time, Newts will migrate—sometimes in droves—to breeding ponds. Males are the first to arrive, followed by a smaller number of females.
Rough-skinned Newts engage in a series of mating rituals underwater, including pre and post insemination “cuddling”—where the male grips the female from the back—a position known as amplexus. Competition between males vying for female attention can result in the formation of a mating ball—where several males lock with one or two females.
Watch for newts along the forest trail and in slow-moving water in spring to get in on the action.