Picturesque ravines drop hundreds of yards from ridge to water. Old growth giants tower above the creek. Waterfalls burst into mammoth basalt cauldrons. You wouldn’t think such a place existed in Columbia County. And it doesn’t. But a mile outside the county border, hidden in the forested hills above Westport, runs a remarkable stretch ofContinue reading “One of the wildest creeks in Northwest Oregon”
Author Archives: Jonathan
Nob Hill work party on November 5
You’re invited to the work parties at Nob Hill Nature Park on November 5th. One group will work from 9am to noon and the other from 1pm to 4pm. The focus for the morning party will be weeding, mulching, and planting new native vegetation. The afternoon work party will be removing ivy and building aContinue reading “Nob Hill work party on November 5”
The humble toads hang on
When I ask residents about toads in Columbia County, they respond, “What toads? I didn’t think we had toads here.” And indeed, for 30 years I wasn’t sure whether or not toads were still present. But this summer, Matt and I verified that at least one population is still thriving in a hidden alcove inContinue reading “The humble toads hang on”
Oregon has the most delicious mushrooms
The rains are coming back, and with them the fall mushroom season. On September 28 the Scappoose Public Library is hosting Jordan Weiss for a presentation on the fall mushrooms of NW Oregon. I didn’t grow up picking mushrooms, but during last year’s surveys I couldn’t help but see fungi everywhere. At first I wasContinue reading “Oregon has the most delicious mushrooms”
Introducing Mayfly Falls
Matt and I planned to hike to Lava Creek Falls, but in preparation Matt spent time looking for secret waterfalls on Google Earth. He located a potential unmarked falls on West Fork Carcus Creek and decided we should try to make a go at it on our way to Lava Creek. This June day endedContinue reading “Introducing Mayfly Falls”
Columbia County to buy Prescott Beach
Having leased the Prescott Beach area from PG&E since the 1980s, the Columbia County commissioners are finally purchasing the land outright. The $250,000 sale of the 63-acre property will allow the county to install a wastewater treatment system for the city of Prescott while also making improvements to the recreational area, as reported by theContinue reading “Columbia County to buy Prescott Beach”
Berry picking season in the forest
Oregon has the best berries in the world. Everyone knows our about blueberry farms, marionberry syrup, sweet local strawberries and the ubiquitous Himalayan blackberry. But dive into the forest and you can find native berries that have been part of Oregon’s bounty for much, much longer. One of our family’s favorite hiking spots is theContinue reading “Berry picking season in the forest”
Searching for the long lost Kerry Tunnel
Nehalem Divide is the most famous logging railroad tunnel in Columbia County, but it wasn’t the largest. That honor belongs to Kerry Tunnel, a landmark so grown over and remote that few residents even know it exists. Both entrances to the tunnel were blown over 80 years ago to keep people from going inside, andContinue reading “Searching for the long lost Kerry Tunnel”
Rare and extirpated butterflies of Northwest Oregon
Butterflies are often among the most endangered of insects. Some of their caterpillars can only survive on select host plants, so if their habitats are destroyed and the host plants disappear, the butterflies disappear as well. Of the 65 species of butterfly native to northwest Oregon, 15 are now rare or missing entirely. (“Extirpated” isContinue reading “Rare and extirpated butterflies of Northwest Oregon”
The ancient dam that powered Vernonia
As the crow flies we were half-a-mile southwest of Keasey Road when we discovered the relics of a forgotten dam in Rock Creek. Too bad we can’t fly like crows. It took a LOT more work to get there, especially since we didn’t know there was a “there” to find. So here’s how we foundContinue reading “The ancient dam that powered Vernonia”
Wild Columbia County 