Get outdoors with your Cub Scout families!   

Download the 10 essentials checklist [here] 

Here’s some suggestions and recommendations about a few area trails.  Described trails are suitable for tennis shoes.  Hiking segments for boys are available from the Council office.

All three NW Refuges:  http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/

Finley National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/finley/trail.html  for info on a dozen miles of trails.

Woodpecker Loop Trail:
One of the nicest easy walks is in the William L Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 9 miles south of Corvallis on Hwy 99W.  At Finley Road, turn right and follow the signs into the refuge and stop at the information kiosk for directions to the trail.  This is a 1.2-mile loop with minor elevation gain and an easy grade. A hillside platform gives an excellent view of the refuge and the Willamette Valley, and is an excellent place for a picnic.  There is a pond with frogs and salamanders and more. You can also see several species of woodpeckers, pheasants, hawks, Canada geese, deer and elk.  There’s an awesome tree suitable for taking group pictures, on the south leg of trail.   (This trail is closed to bicycles and horses and dogs.)  Recommended for Tigers, Cubs, WEBELOS

McDonald State Forest / Peavy Arboretum trails:

http://www.cof.orst.edu/cf/recreation/peavy_map.php  for a clickable map;

http://www.cof.orst.edu/cf/recreation/trails.php  for a description of trails.

Peavy Arboretum is in the McDonald State Forest, on Highway 99W about 1 mile north of the Lewisburg junction.

The Woodland Trail, just inside the entrance, is a good trail for Tigers and Cubs.  It’s about a half-mile long, fairly level, with interpretive stations.

The Section 36 trail is more strenuous, with a steep climb and wonderful view, and takes 2-3 hours.  Many more trails and adventures at Peavy!  Tigers, Cubs, WEBELOS.

E E Wilson Wildlife Refuge

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/eewilson.htm for map and information

On Camp Adair Road, north of Corvallis, NE of Albany.  Several opportunities here, including viewing areas, a half-mile hike to the pond for fishing, caged pheasants and other birds, and (across Hwy 99W, just north of the landfill), a trail up Coffin Butte with a great view of the Refuge and valley.  Tigers, Cubs, WEBELOS

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge:

http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/ankeny/trail.html for more trail info.

Just west of I-5 between exits 242 (Talbot) and 243 (Ankeny Hill).  Parking and trailhead on Wintel Road, about 1.5 miles from either exit.  There’s a trail, and ponds, and great opportunities for viewing wildlife.  Tigers, Cubs, WEBELOS

Baskett Slough NWR west of Salem:

http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/baskett/   for more information

Iron Mountain Trail 3389

http://tinyurl.com/kasof  for trail description and map.

A great trail, with a good climb through dense old growth forest, lush meadows, rocky outcrops and scree,   1.7 miles each way, with a manned lookout on top of this volcanic rock.  The view at 5800’ is astounding, from Mt Hood to Diamond Peak, and the nearby Cascade peaks.  Almost 300 species of wildflower grow here.  Take plenty of water, be prepared for sudden storms.  Takes 2˝-to-3 hours roundtrip, plus travel time.  Travel 34 miles east of Sweet Home, on Highway 20, take Deer Creek Road #15 [on the right], to the parking area and trailhead.  Look for the Self-Guided Nature Walk brochure, and be careful crossing the highway.  For a longer hike (6 miles), drive another ˝ mile along Hwy 20, to Civil Road #035, and follow the signs to the Lookout using Cone Peak Trail.  Or climb up one way, down the other, and walk along the highway to get back to the car.

Recommended for WEBELOS, due to steep climb.  USFS parking permit required.

Hackleman Creek Old Growth Trail:

http://tinyurl.com/LL28D for a map and trail information

About six miles past Iron Mountain, just past Tombstone Pass, is a delightful, barrier-free loop trail [1.2 miles, easy, graveled] and a spur trail that is steeper and “just dirt”, along the creek.  There are a dozen interpretive stops in a cool old-growth forest.  1.5 miles east is the Lost Creek Campground, with toilets and water.  Tigers, Cubs, WEBELOS.

McDowell Creek Falls

View and print maps of Linn County Parks at http://www.co.linn.or.us/parks/maps.htm

McDowell Creek offers 3 miles of trails, along with bridges, wading, fishing, picnicking, and viewing of high waterfalls.  From the west, take Fairview Road (about 4˝ miles east of Lebanon) for a couple miles, to McDowell Creek Road, then about 8 miles to the park.  Tigers, Cubs, WEBELOS