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Date:  October 20, 2004

Location  Buck Mt. Loop Hike

Where:  Silver Falls State Park

 

 Since the hike of October 9th I have been anxious to see what the other end of the new connecting route between Shellburg Falls and Silver Falls looks like. I decided to explore the Silver Falls end by starting at the Upper Smith Creek Trailhead. After a few phone calls I netted Ken Ash, recently return from Europe, to accompany me on this hike.

Ken with trailside map

From the Upper Smith Creek Trailhead we hiked 1.3 miles to join the Buck Mountain Loop, and then in about a mile hit the junction that had been the turn around point on the October 9th hike. Here we encountered and had an interesting conversation with a State Park Forester working on a timber survey. After mentally flipping a coin we chose to make the Buck Mountain Loop Trail, giving us a seven-mile hike.

Ken photographing Chanterelles

We probably had the most fun spotting, photographing and attempting to identify mushrooms along the trail. However, the huge ancient trees in sections of old growth forest made the biggest impression on us. These towering living forms, we paused many times to admire. They imparted a sense of grandeur and endurance that was humbling and yet inspiring at the same time. I left the park reminded that Silver Falls State Park, Oregon's largest, is much more than just a place to see some falls.


Ken with Bolete Mushroom

Chanterelle Mushroom
Coral Mushroom
Park Map