May 05 - McKenzie River Photo Journal

This is the first of what I've decided to call journals, as opposed to adventures. Because of the bad weather in Oregon this month (it has rained nearly every day since I returned) & the need for some dental work, we find ourselves stuck in Eugene for now. We're also waiting for parts needed for Gypsy's warranty repairs. So it will probably be June before we can head out on any kind of extended trip. But there is a lot of natural beauty in right here western Oregon & we plan to enjoy as much as we can while were still on our home turf.

I had to start with a trip up the beautiful McKenzie River, an area that still feels like home to me, even though I no longer live on its shore. It's also where I began to identify myself as the "river guy." For me the McKenzie really begins at the Goodpasture Bridge, though it flows for another 40 miles or so west from there before joining the Willamette. Lane County is home to a diverse collection of covered bridges, but I think the Goodpasture Bridge is the most scenic. Sited at a bend in the river just above Leaburg Lake, it marks the transition from the wider, more agricultural lower river valley to the more canyon-like, forested upper region. I always had a special feeling when crossing the bridge on the way home. The views from the bridge, upstream & down, are both very scenic.
The Goodpasture Bridge on the McKenzie River Down river view of the Goodpasture Bridge Looking upstream from Goodpasture Bridge Downstream view from my old fishing hole

Our old stomping grounds begin a couple of miles up from the bridge on the south side of the river. I stopped by our former home for a short visit & took a couple of pictures. The first is from my favorite fishing spot there looking down river. The drift boat anchored just below is a common sight; other people like to fish that spot too. The upstream view was taken from the last remaining footbridge on the McKenzie.
The view upstream from the McKenzie’s last footbridge View of Marten Creek Looking down river from Marten Rapids Marten Rapids

A little farther upstream, I snapped a shot of Marten Creek, a pretty tributary that joins the river near where we used to live. Not far beyond is Marten Rapids, a challenging section of white water that is a favorite of kyakers & rafters. We used to watch them & cheer them as they came through the rapids, then "high-fived" their oars after clearing the standing waves. Occasionally we would see oars, coolers or even overturned boats floating downstream from the rapids. Oops!
Dogwood blossoms The upper McKenzie River valley from Marten Ridge Downstream view from Silver Creek Eagle Rock

Next stop - Marten Ridge, where I found a Pacific Dogwood with lingering blossoms, normally gone by now, but still around because of the cool, damp spring. Then from the ridge I took in the view looking east into the upper valley area. It's a lovely view despite the patchwork of forest, second growth & clear cuts. This is still productive timber country & as long as we depend on lumber, we will need areas like this, sustainably managed, to produce a steady supply. Buffer zones along the river help to protect the watershed & much of its natural beauty.

After backtracking to the bridge, I drove up the north side of the river on SR126, stopping a couple of times for additional river views. There are many good fishing areas & public boat ramps along this run, popular because of the easy access from the highway. One prominent landmark, towering Eagle Rock, is hidden from the highway. Rising vertically perhaps 100' from a river bend, with its mossy flanks it has a primeval look.
A favorite fishing area, Wheeler Bar Just above Wheeler Bar My summer car parked at Wheeler Bar False Solomans Seal is common in the valley

Farther upriver I stopped at Wheeler Bar, a favorite fishing location. Here the river widens out so that you can wade almost all the way across in the summer. There's lots of room for casting a fly line & it has always been productive for me. A pool on the other side seems to attract migrating salmon & steelhead; we have often seen prodigous splashes there, where the fish seem to be compelled to jump even though they are miles above the nearest challenging rapids. Every year ospreys nest in a tall snag on the far side; the cries of hungry nestlings are often the only sounds here except for the muted roar from downstream white water.
The interesting Inside Out Flower Salal is also very common Western Star Flower Unknown white flower A member of the pea family

There are maybe another 50 miles of the McKenzie River to the east and then north where to it originates at spring-fed Clear Lake. Photos from farther up will have to wait for now, because this journal is about the section of the river that was my backyard & playground for the better part of 6 years. But I want include some of the wildflowers of the McKenzie also.
Tree fungus

I think most of these flowers are probably common to the entire Pacific Northwest, but when I see them in other areas, they remind me of the McKenzie. Generally these are not showy flowers. If you aren't paying attention, you can walk right by some of them. But I think each is lovely in its own way. I haven't had much luck identifying some of them, but I'll keep trying.

I have also included a colorful fungus. I've always been fascinated by the many forms of fungi & this one is really interesting.