If you go: Opal Creek

Sunday, September 24, 2006

What: A federally protected landscape known for clean water and low-elevation old-growth trees, the 13,500-acre Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area and the 21,000-acre Opal Creek Wilderness Area are in the Willamette National Forest. They join the 35,000-acre Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area of the Mount Hood National Forest.

Where: The heart of the Opal Creek area is about 50 miles east of Salem, where county and national forest roads lead to the old mining town of Jawbone Flats and the surrounding wilderness.

Driving: Go east of Salem on Oregon 22 for 25 miles to Mehama. Turn north on the road signed Elkhorn and continue 21 miles to a locked gate. Visitors must park outside the gate and hike three miles to Jawbone Flats, or arrange transportation with the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center.

Activities: The center, which owns the buildings at Jawbone Flats, conducts group educational seminars, as well as courses for individuals and families on medicinal plants, birds, butterflies, wildflowers, forest ecology and more.

Lodging: The center has five cabins for public lodging in Jawbone Flats. Most seminars include lodging in shared cabins with 10 to 19 beds, with a nightly rent of $600. One smaller cabin accommodates two and rents for $110 per night.

Public use: Visitors not bound for the Ancient Forest Center enjoy Opal Creek for its hiking trails, summer swimming holes, backpacking campsites, spectacular fall color in October and occasional winter snow.

Map: The U.S. Forest Service published a new map this year of Opal Creek and other nearby wilderness areas. It costs $7 and is available at Nature of the Northwest (503-872-2750, www.naturenw.org) and other stores.

Info: Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center, 503-892-2782, www.opalcreek.org; Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, www.grandmotherscouncil.com.

-- Terry Richard