I hiked in to Opal Creek three times during the year 2000. The first was in early June, a rainy day when all of the wildflowers were in bloom and everything was absolutely gorgeous. I walked in with Dave Fox whom I work with at Graphic Arts Center. Dave's a very active hiker and he was a great companion on the trip. The second time was in the middle of July when I took my family with me to show them what a great place Opal Creek is. The photos shown here are from that trip. My third trip was in mid-August when I returned with my family and some other Girl Scouts so they could get some merit badges for hiking and nature studies. All three trips were different in some ways, but all were great!!
Opal Creek has it's own website: http://www.opalcreek.org/index.html and the following text is taken from it. I think that they can tell their story better than I, so please check out their site for more photos and further information. Opal Creek is a great place for a walk through an old growth forest and in to an old gold mining camp, lots of photo opportunities and history.
For more photos, see also: http://members.tripod.com/~WTompkins/index-501.html
Bill Tompkins
Clackamas, Oregon
BillTompkinscccc@comcast.net
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The Opal Creek Forest was first inhabited by Native Americans. Points and lithic scatter dating back 2,000 years have been found across the watershed. The summer camp for the Santiam Indians was once in the place where Jawbone Flats is now located. Whetstone Mountain was a place where Native Americans retreated for vision quests. The Whetstone Mountain Trail, which crosses the valley, was a frequent trade route for area tribes.
Part of the forest has survived two forest fires, estimated to have occurred around 1550 and 1835. Forest fires in old-growth forests are rarely totally devastating. In this forest, many of the big trees survived, particularly those located in cool, wet places along the stream.
In 1859, miners arrived in the valley and discovered gold. The Jawbone Flats mining camp was built in 1931 by "Grandpa" James P. Hewitt, a relative of the Atiyeh family, who mined lead, zinc, copper and silver. Some of the mining roads and the Gold Creek Bridge were constructed in 1939 under President Roosevelt's New Deal. In 1992, mining ceased and the Shiny Rock Mining Company gave Friends Of Opal Creek a land gift valued at $12.6 million. Included were 151 acres of land: Jawbone Flats and a stand of old-growth forest.
Friends Of Opal Creek was established in 1989 to aid in the effort to secure permanent protection of the Opal Creek ecosystem by increasing public understanding of the natural and cultural resources, scenic beauty, plant and animal diversity and ecological complexity of this extraordinary area.
The hike to Jawbone Flats is not a difficult one. Basically, it involves a walk along a dirt road that is not open to public use and the elevation gain is minimal. The rewards for doing this hike include an opportunity to visit a historic mining district and the well preserved Jawbone Flats mining camp as well as the chance to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. This area borders the southern edge of Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area.
Miners first arrived in the area in 1859 and discovered gold. Other less valuable minerals, but in greater supply, were also found nearby. The Jawbone Flats mining camp was established in 1931. The last mining operation that worked the Jawbone Flats area was Shiny Rock Mining Company and it continued to mine the area for lead, zinc, copper, and silver until 1992. At that time, 151 acres of land, Jawbone Flats, and a stand of old growth timber were given as a gift to Friends of Opal Creek. In 1996, the nearby Opal Creek Wilderness was established. For more information about the area and the Friends of Opal Creek organization, visit their web site. http://www.opalcreek.org/index.html
Cascada de Los Ninos (Waterfall of the Children) is located on the Little North Fork of the Santiam River near the location of the old Mertin Mill. The falls are not visible from the road as you are walking toward Jawbone Flats. A sign will direct you to a short side trail hike that will take you there. A large opalescent pool of water is located just down stream from Cascada de Los Ninos.
This effort culminated in October, 1996 with the establishment, through federal legislation, of the 20,300 acre Opal Creek Wilderness, the 13,640 acre Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area and a 1,920 acre Wild and Scenic River designation for Elkhorn Creek. The Opal Creek forest has received international attention and is enjoyed by over 50,000 visitors each year.
If you want to learn more about the history of the Opal Creek Ancient Forest,
there is a book called Showdown at Opal Creek, The Battle for America's Last Wilderness, by Time magazine reporter David Seideman.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Portland, drive south on Interstate 5 to Salem. From Salem, take I-5 exit #253 and drive east on Highway 22 for 23 miles to the Swiss Village Restaurant in Mehama. Turn left at a sign for Elkhorn. Follow the paved Little North Santiam Road for 15 miles, and continue straight on gravel for another 1.3 miles to a fork. Veer left on Road 2209 past the sign "Road Closed 6 Miles Ahead" and drive to the locked gate. Residents of Jawbone Flats are allowed to drive the dirt road ahead; others must park and walk.
You'll need a Trail Park permit to park at the trailhead. The permits cost $5/car for a one-day pass or $30 for a full-year pass. They're available at most Forest Service offices and outdoor stores.
