Hike Coordinator: Lane Harris
Narration by Lane Harris
While classic car enthusiasts sat around admiring hot rods, flatbed trucks, and the like during Roseburg’s Graffiti week, some of us opted to just sit around on Pine Bench. Literally, that’s what we did. But we had to get there first. Although not a strenuous hike, the first mile climbs nearly a thousand feet, which made all the hikers who joined me on this day wonder what they had gotten themselves into.
As the group of about 15 of us left the Soda Springs Trailhead just below the Soda Springs Dam (like, it would be somewhere else?…) This short trail intersects with the Bradley Trail, at which point we turned westward. I informed the group that the first mile was the toughest, but that it would be smooth sailing after that. From the viewpoint of my fellow hikers, that comment seemed to be more myth than truth as they huffed and puffed up through the shaded forest. I honestly didn’t think they believed me. But to everyone’s relief, the trail did eventually level off some, but not until we made one last push through a burned area that was exposed to the already hot July sun. I think I just hear someone click “dislike” on this hike…
Redemption for me came when we entered the plateau of Pine Bench after that uphill drudge of a thousand feet. The shade of the tall firs and pines, along with the levelness of the trail got me back into everyone’s good graces. Up here, in this park-like setting, it’s hard to be despondent about anything. It’s one of those places that you could imagine being a pleasant park, or a nice wooded campground. That is, if there were any roads up here. There isn’t. It’s wilderness. Otherwise, I would’ve drove here.
The serene trail that runs east to west here eventually intersects with the Boulder Creek Trail, which heads deep into the Boulder Creek Wilderness. We would only be going about a half mile up to where a small campsite offers some nice cliffy views well above the creek below. It pleased me to see that some trail work had been completed here. A year and a half ago when Colby and I hiked up here, the small side trail to the campsite was passable, but overgrown with brush. Trail work these days is not as common as it used to be, and us hikers truly appreciate any and all efforts that others have put forth to making these paths hiker friendly.
It was near this campsite where we sat upon the world’s largest pine bench to eat lunch. After sharing a few stories and laughs, we commenced the walk back across the “flatueau”. Upon reaching the trail intersection, we stayed on the Boulder Creek Trail which immediately charges straight downhill. Looking back, I think I would’ve led the group back down the Bradley Trail, as it was apparent that the trail workers neglected to clear out this portion of the Boulder Creek trail that heads downhill. It was still in good shape, but there were areas where we had to do some brush-dodging in order to avoid getting whacked in the face by the branches. Also, there wasn’t much to look at here. And it’s rather steep with many switchbacks. My recommendation? Just avoid this portion of the trail. And you’d truly hate yourself if you attempted to go UP this part of the trail!
We soon reached the North Umpqua Trail and headed upriver back to the parking area. This 2-mile stretch is really a road and not a trail, and doesn’t offer much more than the sound of the river with no good views. Just another reason that I should’ve done this hike as a straight out and back hike instead of a loop. That being said, any day hiking is better than any day working!
We got back just as the mercury was hitting the mid 80’s. Some of us cooled off with water that was pouring from a breach in the nearby water flume. After a 6-mile hike in the middle of summer, it’s just what you do.
Overall, I think everyone enjoyed this tour of the world’s largest pine bench. It’s not a stroll through the park, but with some effort, anyone can make it up to Pine Bench and take a stroll through an environment that is very park-like.
Pictures below by Lane Harris
