Ore bin oregon geology magazine journal oregon department. Graduate student handbook, 2010 2011 oregon state university. Getting to experience nature through their eyes, as they stand in awe of. Thanks for stopping by the world according to briggs, i make lists. The range averages 1,500 feet in elevation and has a maximum elevation of 4,097 feet at marys peak. Check the bulletin in the publications page for articles. Marys peak is this long, swaybacked mountain in the coast range near corvallis, oregon. We really appreciate your willingness to vote electronically as it saves marys peak group hundreds of dollars in ballot mailing fees. We will explore the rocks and geologic processes that made oregons island in the sky. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site.
At 4,097 feet, marys peak is the highest point in the oregon coast range and part of the suislaw national forest. Please post on the wall about road conditions, trail conditions, snowshoe routes, mountain bike routes, fun things. Notice the usgs water resources mission areas priority is to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our communities, including providing critical situational awareness in times of flooding in all 50 u. It was hard to find towns that suck in a great state. Its name may have derived from frenchcanadian trappers referring to it as maries mountain. Marys peak plants by marys peak group of oregon sierra club. Marys peak geology roadlog saturday, im doing another willamette valley geology workshop for the oregon master naturalist program, and yesterday bob lillie and i went over the schedule, outlines of presentations, and scouted out the marys peak geology field trip well be doing to top the whole thing off. Lillie draws on his experience as a geology professor, graphic illustrator and park ranger to tell the geological story of marys peak and its connections to oregons natural and cultural history. Three miles up the marys peak road, where the roadbed cuts through a ridge of dark volcanic rock, bob lillie is giving a geology lesson to a. The native kalapuya called the peak tcha timanwi, or place of spiritual power. Plants on marys peak which is just east of lincoln county in benton county may be representative of those on some high elevation peaks in lincoln county, though marys peak is taller. The range averages 1,500 feet in elevation and has a maximum elevation of 4,097 feet at mary s peak. It is also the highest point in benton county, and ranks eleventh in the state for prominence. The schedule is a work in progress, and will be amended as the year progresses, so keep checking back for new hikes and schedule changes.
Marys peak hike northwest hiker presents hiking in oregon. On a clear day, the view from atop marys peak stretches from the pacific ocean to the cascade mountains, with a look at 10 prominent peaks. Civil, construction, and environmental engineering o r e g o n s t a t e u n i v e r s i t y college of engineering schroeder, w. How much geology can you pack into one short and rainy trip. From interstate 5 take the highway 34 exit to corvallis. Dogs have accompanied her on virtually all the hikes she took preparing hiking oregons geology and doing geology field work. The marys peak observatory was set up to provide a visualization of the beauty of natural fluid flows as part of active research examining these flows in both the ocean and the atmosphere. Encountered more snow then was expected, chains required. Jun 06, 20 marys peak geology roadlog saturday, im doing another willamette valley geology workshop for the oregon master naturalist program, and yesterday bob lillie and i went over the schedule, outlines of presentations, and scouted out the marys peak geology field trip well be doing to top the whole thing off. Mary s peak, the highest point in the coast range has a variety of trails, and spectacular views from ocean to cascades marys peak, at 4,097 feet, is the highest point in oregon s coast range and the most prominent peak to the west of corvallis. Both federal and state laws permit oregon state university staff to release directory information to the general public without the students consent. Marys peak isnt just the highest point in the landscape in the region. Marys peak is a mountain in benton county, oregon, united states, just southwest of philomath. The marys peak chapter of the society of american foresters saf is comprised of approximately 150 natural resource managers and scientists in and around the benton, lincoln, and linn county areas.
A snow gate blocks the upper part of the road above conners camp from late november through march. Hike local favorite marys peak or take a day trip to the coast to join the festivities. Hikes for 2012 hiking the cascades photo by larry pennington about our schedule. This is by far one of the best books out there for anyone interested in exploring oregons geology. Marys peak formerly mary s peak and sometimes still spelled this way is a mountain in benton county, oregon, united states, just southwest of philomath. Follow highway 34 through corvallis to philomath then travel 10 miles west on highway 34 to marys peak road on the north side of the highway. At 4,097 feet marys peak towers over other mountains in the oregon coast range. Tyee country and marys peak trip geological society of the.
Ellen morris bishop is the author of numerous books on geology and the outdoors, including hiking oregons geology. A brief summary of oregon coast range geology, geomorphology. But before you do, consider reading up on our local geography and the processes that made it so. Our hikes are also publicized on our sierraclubjunipergroup. Lillie draws on his experience as a geology professor, graphic illustrator and park ranger to tell the geological story of marys peak and its connections to oregon s natural and cultural history. Jun 22, 2015 whether you enjoy hiking there are many trails, wildflowers, geology, picnicking or just a sitting and soaking in the view on the summit, marys peak will provide a fantastic opportunity for you to develop your sense of place in oregon. In the future if you wish to vote via eballot or paper ballot please send an email to bruce. Join president sheila alfsen on a trip to the tallest point in oregons coast range. The three sisters wilderness covers an area of 281,190 acres 1,7.
The transition zone, between the sonoran and canadian, is the smallest and least important in the park. Getting to experience nature through their eyes, as they stand in awe of a big tree, a wildflower or a view of the mountains. Van got stuck about 14 a mile from the top, got high centered and had to do a combination of push 12 point turn to get unstuck. The trail meanders through a forest of large douglasfir trees.
On a clear day, from the top of the peak, you can see both the pacific ocean to the west and many of the cascade peaks to the east across the. Dogs have accompanied her on virtually all the hikes she took preparing hiking oregon s geology and doing geology field work. Lillies book describes the key elements of those twists and turns and bends in enough detail, but not too much, for the lay person like me or the more geologically. Marys peak summits at 1250 meters and is the highest peak in oregons coast range. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from april until november.
Natural history information for lincoln county, oregon. Marys peak intrusives, tillamook volcanics, yachats basalt, basalt of cannery hill, basalt of waverly heights, basalt of cascade head and diabase of lees falls. If you want to make more of an adventure, you can always begin the hike lower on the mountain. Even though you can drive nearly to the summit of marys peak, it is so worth it. Marys peak highest spot in the coast range, marys peaks wildflowerdotted summit meadows command views from the ocean to the cascades. It will be fixed as soon as burt hall roof repairs are complete. Marys peak is often above the boundary layer of the surrounding terrain, although summer daytime boundary layers may reach heights of 2 km, in which case marys peak may generate a local boundary layer. Marys peak formerly marys peak and sometimes still spelled this way is a mountain in benton county, oregon, united states, just southwest of philomath. Marys peak summits at 1250 meters and is the highest peak in oregon s coast range. I know my oregon central coast range geology pretty well, and there is no place that gives an as complete or wellexposed. Sorry if the editing seems a little weird, just getting used to it. Palmer recalls in his book, the woods creek logging railroad then and. Browse below to find just the resources you need to make any earth science week event more meaningful and enjoyable.
This is by far one of the best books out there for anyone interested in exploring oregon s geology. Whether you enjoy hiking there are many trails, wildflowers, geology, picnicking or just a sitting and soaking in the view on the summit, marys peak will provide a fantastic opportunity for you to develop your sense of place in oregon. It is characterized by the grand or white fir, salal, oregon grape, vine maple, devils club, and salmonberry. Wild in the willamette edited by lorraine anderson with abby phillips metzger hiking oregons geology by ellen morris bishop corvallis trails by margie c.
The peak is a willamette valley landmark, a symbol, and according to local historian ken munford a weather vane. The distinctive humpbacked mountain on osus west ern horizon has the silhouette of a crouching mouse. The marys peak alliance will host a book release presentation for a new guide to the mountains geology at 6 p. Participants will drive to corvallis and carpool for the daytrip up to the top. Juniper group hikes 2014 oregon chapter sierra club. Marys peak north ridge hike hiking in portland, oregon and. Typical animals include the california quail, seattle wren, oregon ruffled grouse and chickadee, as well as the mink and racoon. We begin our adventures on one of the most geologically fascinating mountains in oregon s coast range. The mountain on oregon states horizon by ann kinkley its hard to miss. Birth date professor emeritus january 3, 1939 degrees b. View to the west from marys peak summit the pacific ocean on the horizon. Designated by the united states congress in 1964, it borders the mount washington wilderness to the north and shares its southern edge with the waldo lake wilderness.
Her present dog, meesha, is a certified animal assisted therapy dog. Perhaps the most remote of the marys peak trails, the north ridge trail is the longest route to the top of marys peak. From the summit you can see about 75 miles out into the pacific ocean to the west across the willamette valley all the way to the cascade peaks to the east. Ellen morris bishop is the author of numerous books on geology and the outdoors, including hiking oregon s geology. Tectonic geomorphology, university of oregon spanning 200 miles along the pacific, the oregon coast range is defined by a 3040 mile wide swath of moderately high mountains. Due to logistics and, paraphrasing robert frost, a turn not taken, dana, intrepid companion ic and i got off to a latish start on monday and headed up marys peak. Marys peak, at 4,097 feet, is the highest point in oregon s coast range. It doesnt look like much from a distance, especially not if youre used to dealing with the majestic as heck, craggy peaks of the olympics and north cascades.
In recognition of its unique scenic, botanical and recreational values, marys peak is designated as a scenic botanical area. It shows up as marys peak on an 1855 survey map but later loses. Media in category marys peak oregon the following 32 files are in this category, out of 32 total. This concise rockhounding guide, from local author lars johnson, breaks down all of the information by site so youll know exactly what tools to bring, what type of vehicle to drive, and what accommodations are nearby. The distinctive humpbacked mountain on osus western horizon has the silhouette of a crouching mouse. We begin our adventures on one of the most geologically fascinating mountains in oregons coast range. A specialist on interpretive methods for the marys peak. This wasnt actually our first stop, but it was the lowest stop stratigraphically. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Top 10 oregon hikes for kids there is something very special about hiking with children. Marys peak for a picnic and hike to the top for an excellent. Four different trails ascend this mountain, ranging from easy paths to long, hard climbs. Marys peak, at 4,097 feet, is the highest point in oregons coast range. Her tour was partially based on the very excellent book by robert j.
Wild in the willamette edited by lorraine anderson with abby phillips metzger hiking oregon s geology by ellen morris bishop corvallis trails by margie c. Geology of the marys peak and alsea quadrangles, oregon. The trail begins at woods creek on the north side of marys peak, and climbs steadily for an elevation gain of 3200 feet to the observation point parking area. Past lectures geological society of the oregon country gsoc. Marys peak is often above the boundary layer of the surrounding terrain, although summer daytime boundary layers may reach heights of 2 km, in which. Oregon department of geology and mineral industries. Guides give geology lessons to visitors in oregons coast range. Calendar geological society of the oregon country gsoc.
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