After walking about 1/3rd
of a mile up a dirt road, Ray Jensen pointed out to the
eight of us, the half-hidden sign he had put for the “Perry
Butte Trail”. We knew he had been working undauntedly
on retrieving this unmaintained trail for a couple of
years. Two different fires had wrecked havoc with the
area. Ray expressed his amazement at how fast the
vigorous new growth is taking over the whole area and the
trail.
We started up the hillside
with the downed remains of trees scattered
helter-skelter. The trail was barely visible so Ray led us
through the debris using the tagged trees he had done
earlier. He assured us that the trail and the terrain
become more friendly further up.
So off we set. We began to
see evidence of his hard work: the bright tag ties that he
had placed to mark the trail; rocks, dirt and logs that he
had pushed aside; well- designed switchbacks he had created
for traversing the steeper parts; and he had even chopped
out part of a log that was lying across the trail for ease
in stepping over.
We were a plucky bunch and
soon adapted to the adventure – a complete turn-
around for a club hike. So our group aided in further
defining the trail with our newly added footsteps. The
fires gave us a bonus. The interesting shapes of the
remaining thin, contorted still standing charred tree trunks
were whimsical. We could enjoy well-defined rock formations
that topped the ridge and up-ended rocks parading steeply
down the hillsides. In contrast, green lush areas seen
lower down graced the harsh landscape. Yet, enough living
trees survived to make a statement of survival and the
ubiquitous new growth, including some wildflowers ,
validated renewal.
Higher up, we got our first
views of the bottom of Mount Bailey. Clouds covered
Thielsen. The thick , brown, smudgy layer of smoke hanging
over the area of Buck Canyon and Muir Creek , where our
hike had originally been scheduled, made us glad we were not
there.
After we climbed around
Mizell Viewpoint, we stopped for a breather on a rocky
outcropping. Here we got our first look down into Boulder
Creek and beyond. It was too early for lunch, so we picked
out a high rocky point further on as our destination. It
was not easy getting there. Our footing got our full
attention - up, down, over and around; really no trail.
But – what a wonderful
reward at the top! Rugged twisting landscape in both
directions. We enjoyed seeing a small section of the
North Umpqua River way down below us. In the other
direction we scanned the Boulder Creek Wilderness area and
located Illahee Rock. There could not have been a better
lunch spot.
Going back, we found Ray’s
tagging of the trail well done for all to follow. Back at
the cars, everyone expressed enjoyment of this unique
hike. Thanks Ray for leading us there and all the work
you’ve done on the trail! To those not on the hike … TRY
IT, HANG LOOSE, YOU WILL LIKE IT.
Anecdote: When we stopped
in Glide for a post-hike ice cream treat, Rheo drew our
attention to a different kind of trek. She had spotted a
double line of ants working their way to and from a French
fry scrap on the patio to their hole, about six feet in
distance. They were carrying different shapes and sizes .
All five of us hunched closer to get a better look. This
triggered a restaurant worker to poke her head out of
the door and ask “WHAT ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT? When we told
her, she shook her head in disbelief at our enjoyment in
such a mundane event. We all got a good laugh, including
her!
Hikers: Ray, Linda Lois,
Gary, Nancy, Rheo, Phil, John (new member) and Jane.
Distance: maybe
4+ miles, but well earned miles.
