Opal Creek
Hike details:
Mileage: 7.5 miles out and back w/ 715 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 3 hours 38 minutes w/ an average pace of 2 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekdays, very high on weekends, low during the winter season
General location: 42 miles east of Salem off of North Fork Rd. - Opal Creek Wilderness - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, early winter
Permits required: Self issue wilderness permit Memorial Day - October 31 & Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, camping
*As of May 26, 2017 the US Forest Service has approved a new law which prohibits any fires at any of the primitive campsites along the trail and along Little North Santiam River. The new law also states that cars can only park a quarter mile down the road from the trailhead.
Approximate hike time: 3 hours 38 minutes w/ an average pace of 2 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on weekdays, very high on weekends, low during the winter season
General location: 42 miles east of Salem off of North Fork Rd. - Opal Creek Wilderness - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, early winter
Permits required: Self issue wilderness permit Memorial Day - October 31 & Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, camping
*As of May 26, 2017 the US Forest Service has approved a new law which prohibits any fires at any of the primitive campsites along the trail and along Little North Santiam River. The new law also states that cars can only park a quarter mile down the road from the trailhead.
Description:
Opal Creek is an easy and historic hike in the Bull of the Woods Wilderness that takes you through an old mining area. Opal Creek (as well as nearby Opal Lake) were named for Opal Elliot, the wife of early USFS ranger Roy Elliot. There is an exceptional group of old-growth Douglas fir trees in the Opal Creek watershed and in the 1980's there was controversy between timber interests and conservationists. As a result, in 1998 20,746 acres were set aside as the Opal Creek Wilderness. This is now the largest uncut watershed in the state!
Depending on where you are coming from, the drive can be very long, and unless they have just graded it, the 6 mile gravel road up to the trailhead is extremely bad, with so many potholes that you can’t go around them. If you arrive at the trailhead any time after 10am, you will be shocked at how many cars there are in the parking area. The official parking lot only hold about 20 cars. After that cars park on the right hand side of the gravel road. The left side of the road has No Parking signs, as there are rocks that can come tumbling down from the steep hill above.
Depending on where you are coming from, the drive can be very long, and unless they have just graded it, the 6 mile gravel road up to the trailhead is extremely bad, with so many potholes that you can’t go around them. If you arrive at the trailhead any time after 10am, you will be shocked at how many cars there are in the parking area. The official parking lot only hold about 20 cars. After that cars park on the right hand side of the gravel road. The left side of the road has No Parking signs, as there are rocks that can come tumbling down from the steep hill above.
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The hike starts off on an old gravel road. It still gets utilized to bring supplies to Jawbone Flats as they do host spring and summer camps as well as boy scouts there throughout the year. This road continues through an ancient old growth forest for 2.3 miles. Along the sides of the road you start to see old mining equipment and dilapidated shacks. 
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(Slide Falls in April)
After the 2.2 miles you come to a bridge that goes to a trail on the other side of the the Little North Santiam River and completes the partial loop that you will come back on. Continue along the road for another 1.4 miles to the historic mining town called Jawbone Flats. About half way there, you will see a spot along the river called Slide Falls where the rocks in the river have formed a few smooth shoots that look like water slides. Many people slide down these slides in the summer time.
(Jawbone Flats)
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Jawbone Flats has a well preserved collection of 27 buildings that date all the way back to 1930. There are a few year round residents here, as well as a few little cabins for nature camp participants. Hike all the way through the town, following the signs to Opal Creek. A little bit past the town, you will see rows of old rusty vehicles and mining equipment, which is really cool.
(Opal Pool in July)
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(Opal Pool in April)
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After exploring the Jawbone Flats area you will cross a bridge and behold the beauty of Opal Pool. There are about 5 pools that each have a spot you can get to from the trail. Here you can enjoy a picnic lunch by the water or enjoy a quick swim in the cold water in the summertime.
(A deeper swimming hole of Opal Creek)
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(Marika at the mouth of an old mine)
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From here you will take the Kopetski Trail 1.5 miles through the woods, and back to where the bridge crosses the river and puts you back out at the road. The trail through the woods is absolutely stunning, with tall trees, lots of green undergrowth and many views of the river.
If you would like a longer hike, you can add a 3 mile out and back and take Kopetski Trail right after Opal Pool to see two waterfalls and go to Cedar Flats which is a small grove of Red Cedars that are 500-1,000 years old.
If you would like a longer hike, you can add a 3 mile out and back and take Kopetski Trail right after Opal Pool to see two waterfalls and go to Cedar Flats which is a small grove of Red Cedars that are 500-1,000 years old.
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Overall, this hike is nice and easy, and the trail is well-maintained, and even partially on a gravel road. This is definitely for all skill and age levels, and is great for getting your kids out into nature, and you get to also see such cool historic artifacts along the way. To beat the crowds, do this hike as soon as the snow melts and the trail opens, or late in the fall/early winter before the snow hits the area.
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directions:
From Salem
- Drive 23 miles east of Salem on North Santiam Hwy 22 until you reach the town of Mehama. At the second flashing yellow light turn left onto Little North Santiam Fork Rd. for 16.3 miles. At a fork stay to the left on Road 2209 and drive 6 miles up to a gate. Long before the gate you will see many cars lining the road. Find a place to park early on, or else you will have to try to turn around at the trail head where cars are packed in tight and lots of people and dogs are milling about. *As of May 26, 2017 the US Forest Service has approved a new law which states that cars can only park a quarter mile down the road from the trailhead. (Total of 46 miles)
- Drive I-5 north towards Albany for 39.3 miles then take exit 233 for US-20 toward Albany/Lebanon. Turn left onto US-20 E/Santiam Hwy SE for 5.4 miles then turn left onto OR-226 E for 6.8 miles. Turn right onto Montgomery Dr for 2.1 miles then turn left onto Richardson Gap Rd. for another 2.6 miles. Turn right onto OR-226 E/State Hwy 226 E for 12.4 miles and in the town of Lyons turn left onto OR-226 E/5th St/Main St. for 1.3 miles until you T into OR-22. Turn right and stay on OR-22 for just 0.8 miles. At the flashing light turn Turn left onto N Fork Rd/Little North Fork and stay on this road for 14.8 miles then continue on NF-2207 for 1.6 miles. Take a slight left onto NF-2207/NF-2209 and continue for a little over 4 miles to its end. (Total of 94.1 miles)
- From Bend drive north on Hwy. 97 and then merge onto US-20 west towards Sisters. After Sisters continue on US-20 west until you get to Santiam Junction where you will merge right onto OR-22 towards Detroit for 48.5 miles. In the town of Gates turn right onto Gates Hill Rd. for 3.7 miles and then turn right onto N. Fork Road for 4.9 miles. At a fork in the road stay left on Road 2209 and drive 6 miles up to a gate. (Total of 112 miles)
- Total of 90.5 miles via Salem.
- Total of 257 miles via Eugene.
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To get a more in-depth and personal view of this hike, watch the YouTube video.
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*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: the trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.
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