Starting Location: North Trailhead (Trail Map)
Point of Interest : wildlife habitat, hiking
Distance: 2 mile loop (4 with campground trail)
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, a bit muddy after rains, but passable
Bathrooms: Permanent bathroom at South end, porta potty at North Trailhead
Parking: small lots
EV Chargers: No
This was our 3rd First Day Hike, and while looking at the long list of available First Day Hikes, we saw this one that was pretty close to where we live, and we had never heard of it before. We ended up getting there early, which was good, since there are 3 driveways marked as part of the state park, and we came from the South, so the 3rd time was the charm. Don't go to the middle driveway...that's the ranger offices. The North and South Nature Areas are separated by private land, for now, so there's no trail from one to the other.
We had 2 rangers with us for this hike, Steve and Rye. The First Day Hikes are also educational, where we stop and listen to the rangers share history, or other information about the wildlife and/or habitat. Ranger Steve informed us that every park has a secret, and then took us to see this old school bus that has been here for decades. We talked about how nature reclaims things that are man made, given enough time.
About 30 of us trekked along the right hand part of the North Trail, which parallels the Willamette River. The river was very high, and the trail was wet from rain, but still walkable.
Steve talked to us about their goal to restore the wetland forest habitat as best they can.
This field used to grow radish, and it is being replanted. The return loop trail is on the opposite side of this field.
Steve explained about the animals that lived here, including Wood Rats, or Pack Rats. He pointed out a nest to us, and we saw many more as we continued our hike.
Steve also taught us about some of the river wildlife, specifically a mollusk that helps filter the river water. The larvae attach to the gills of salmon, and drop off when they have grown enough to survive on their own. He even had some activities for us to act out parts of the life cycle.
Another activity taught us how rivers move over time, and create new river beds. Here he is explaining how oxbow lakes are made. There is an old Indigenous story about a salmon shaped rock at the mouth of the Santiam, which is close by. However, the mouth of the Santiam has moved since that story began, and the rock remains at the mouth of the former riverbed.
We stopped briefly at the almost midway point of the loop, where the trail to the boating campground begins. This trail is about a mile long, and was not a part of this First Day Hike.
We then returned to the Trailhead along the edge of the field we saw earlier. It had quite a few small birds which were eating some white berries.
I'm definitely planning to return here when the weather is better, and take the trail to the campground. I hear there's a nice swimming hole along the way too. The South Trailhead apparently also has a new loop trail which is not yet marked on the maps.
Of course, what would a hike be without a meal after? We ended up at
Jinda Thai in Albany, who were able to quickly accommodate all 13 of us. I can recommend the Crispy Mango Chicken, but everyone seemed to like their food.
I would recommend the Luckiamute Natural Area for your hiking pleasure. Dogs are welcome, and can be off leash except for nesting season, which is April 1 - July 31. Enjoy!
Here is a silly thing I made about how we measure how rainy or muddy our hike is.
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