Marys peak is a mountain in benton county, oregon, united states, just southwest of philomath. 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. 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. 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. Browse below to find just the resources you need to make any earth science week event more meaningful and enjoyable.
Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. It is characterized by the grand or white fir, salal, oregon grape, vine maple, devils club, and salmonberry. Ore bin oregon geology magazine journal oregon department. The range averages 1,500 feet in elevation and has a maximum elevation of 4,097 feet at mary s peak. I know my oregon central coast range geology pretty well, and there is no place that gives an as complete or wellexposed.
It is also the highest point in benton county, and ranks eleventh in the state for prominence. Join president sheila alfsen on a trip to the tallest point in oregons coast range. At 4,097 feet, marys peak is the highest point in the oregon coast range and part of the suislaw national forest. Both federal and state laws permit oregon state university staff to release directory information to the general public without the students consent. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Birth date professor emeritus january 3, 1939 degrees b. Marys peak, at 4,097 feet, is the highest point in oregon s coast range. Four different trails ascend this mountain, ranging from easy paths to long, hard climbs.
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. 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. Marys peak isnt just the highest point in the landscape in the region. Perhaps the most remote of the marys peak trails, the north ridge trail is the longest route to the top of marys peak. 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. Marys peak, at 4,097 feet, is the highest point in oregons coast range. Media in category marys peak oregon the following 32 files are in this category, out of 32 total. The distinctive humpbacked mountain on osus western horizon has the silhouette of a crouching mouse. We really appreciate your willingness to vote electronically as it saves marys peak group hundreds of dollars in ballot mailing fees.
Encountered more snow then was expected, chains required. Marys peak formerly marys peak and sometimes still spelled this way is a mountain in benton county, oregon, united states, just southwest of philomath. It shows up as marys peak on an 1855 survey map but later loses. The range averages 1,500 feet in elevation and has a maximum elevation of 4,097 feet at marys peak. Top 10 oregon hikes for kids there is something very special about hiking with children. It will be fixed as soon as burt hall roof repairs are complete. Typical animals include the california quail, seattle wren, oregon ruffled grouse and chickadee, as well as the mink and racoon. 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. 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. Even though you can drive nearly to the summit of marys peak, it is so worth it. 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. 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. 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.
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. We begin our adventures on one of the most geologically fascinating mountains in oregon s coast range. Marys peak hike northwest hiker presents hiking in oregon. Oregon department of geology and mineral industries. Marys peak north ridge hike hiking in portland, oregon and. 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. A specialist on interpretive methods for the marys peak. Marys peak for a picnic and hike to the top for an excellent. 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. Our hikes are also publicized on our sierraclubjunipergroup.
Hikes for 2012 hiking the cascades photo by larry pennington about our schedule. This wasnt actually our first stop, but it was the lowest stop stratigraphically. Sorry if the editing seems a little weird, just getting used to it. Geology of the marys peak and alsea quadrangles, oregon. Marys peak plants by marys peak group of oregon sierra club.
Getting to experience nature through their eyes, as they stand in awe of. Calendar geological society of the oregon country gsoc. Ellen morris bishop is the author of numerous books on geology and the outdoors, including hiking oregons geology. A snow gate blocks the upper part of the road above conners camp from late november through march. Thanks for stopping by the world according to briggs, i make lists. It was hard to find towns that suck in a great state.
But before you do, consider reading up on our local geography and the processes that made it so. Tyee country and marys peak trip geological society of the. 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. Palmer recalls in his book, the woods creek logging railroad then and. 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. Graduate student handbook, 2010 2011 oregon state university. The mountain on oregon states horizon by ann kinkley its hard to miss. At an elevation of 4,097 feet, marys peak is an iconic landmark for willamette valley residents, and is the highest point in the coast range. 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. Marys peak summits at 1250 meters and is the highest peak in oregons coast range.
We will explore the rocks and geologic processes that made oregons island in the sky. Check the bulletin in the publications page for articles. 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. The transition zone, between the sonoran and canadian, is the smallest and least important in the park. This is by far one of the best books out there for anyone interested in exploring oregons geology. Please post on the wall about road conditions, trail conditions, snowshoe routes, mountain bike routes, fun things. 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. 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. 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. Getting to experience nature through their eyes, as they stand in awe of a big tree, a wildflower or a view of the mountains.
The native kalapuya called the peak tcha timanwi, or place of spiritual power. 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. Natural history information for lincoln county, oregon. 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. 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. The trail meanders through a forest of large douglasfir trees. 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. In recognition of its unique scenic, botanical and recreational values, marys peak is designated as a scenic botanical area. The three sisters wilderness covers an area of 281,190 acres 1,7. 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.
How much geology can you pack into one short and rainy trip. Hike local favorite marys peak or take a day trip to the coast to join the festivities. Marys peak highest spot in the coast range, marys peaks wildflowerdotted summit meadows command views from the ocean to the cascades. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from april until november. A brief summary of oregon coast range geology, geomorphology. Participants will drive to corvallis and carpool for the daytrip up to the top. Guides give geology lessons to visitors in oregons coast range. 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. 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. 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. 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. Past lectures geological society of the oregon country gsoc.
Dogs have accompanied her on virtually all the hikes she took preparing hiking oregon s geology and doing geology field work. 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. This is by far one of the best books out there for anyone interested in exploring oregon s geology. 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. Marys peak is this long, swaybacked mountain in the coast range near corvallis, oregon. The marys peak alliance will host a book release presentation for a new guide to the mountains geology at 6 p. Notice the usgs water resources mission area s priority is to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our communities, including providing critical situational awareness in times of flooding in all 50 u. At 4,097 feet marys peak towers over other mountains in the oregon coast range. We begin our adventures on one of the most geologically fascinating mountains in oregons coast range.
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