We got in a couple hours driving to head back toward the coast. We stopped for a little WinCo binge in Clackamas, then found the Blackrock Mountain Bike area outside Falls City, OR. These were pretty challenging trails, even the basic training skills area didn't have much I could do! After a long gravel road ride to the top, with the usual rewarding panoramic view, there were a few options for getting back to the bottom. I went with the easiest trail and was holding on for dear life! Rudy took the intermediate and it was plenty challenging for him. These are nicely built biking trails, so I hope they continue to get plenty of use, and maintenance, and maybe a little more 'easy' stuff in the skills area...
We found a spot to cool off in some deep pools of Little Luckiamute River, sharing with another couple with a couple well behaved dogs. They recently moved to the area and made it sound like Falls City is growing and hopefully improving!
We decided to Head south towards Mary's Peak to get in a little more of central Oregon. This area has a lot of forest roads along steep slopes without any good camp sites, and unmapped logging roads, but we found a spot to pull off with no signs saying to keep out! Cooked some rice and lentils that had been soaking all day, then just a standard quiet evening.
August 26
We parked at the Woods Creek trailhead for Mary's Peak trails and recreated mostly on the Northridge Trail with some out and backs and small loops - the trails were in good shape and kept the climbing gentle. Pretty dense woods at the bottom opened up as you climbed, then Mary's Peak was even more open for big views, though couldn't make out much with the haze.
As we continued driving west, there didn't appear to be a lot for swim options. We stopped at Mary's River and found a low current, shallow, and a little challenge to get through tall grass to the water, but better than nothing after a few hours of activity in the upper 80s.
We reached Newport on the coast mid-afternoon, where it was foggy and 50s! I made Rudy stop at Rogue Ales Brewery to check it out. We didn't spend the time for a full tour, but got some delightful kimchi, bacon, and cheese covered fries and a flight of fantastic beer.
Less than half an hour of driving south and we came to uncle Larry's recently acquired property near Seal Rock. He has a few trails cut through the thick brush already, so didn't take long to get in a little exploring before making some dinner - pasta is still a favorite!
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| Salal Berries |
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| Blueberries |
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| Invasive Blackberries |
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| nice trail through thick brush! |
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| just another pretty flower |
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