2 min
Overview
The hidden side of Rooster Rock State Park is on the south side of I-84 and includes access to Mirror Lake and the extensive bottomland of Young Creek (before the deapostrophizing of geographical locations, it was known as Young's Creek). The impressive 700-foot cliffs at Crown Point tower above and, after a good rain, Palisade Falls puts on an impressive display. The area floods once the wet season is well underway, so the best time to go is from the end of summer through fall. In September, Mirror Lake hosts a cover of blooming wapato, a water plant whose tubers were a Native American staple. Other unusual plants at Young Creek include Macoun's buttercup and high bush cranberry. There is no trail here, but a maintenance track runs more or less parallel to the freeway and sometimes very close to it. The wetlands here are undergoing a revegetation campaign to restore wildlife habitat. In the early morning or at dusk, you may observe elk using the large meadow at the east end of the area. A short trail leads down to the muddy shore of Mirror Lake, which is veritably choked with blooming wapato, sedge and rushes. There’s a view up to Crown Point and Palisade Falls. Then head down the graveled track behind the gate along an avenue of Oregon ash with reed canary grass, Himalayan blackberry, spiraea, wild rose and snowberry. Young cottonwoods also shade the trail here and there are oaks up to the left above the flood level. Enter a clearing used to stash debris and materials and follow the road to the right into riparian woods. The track here is grassy and a little overgrown. Walk up towards the freeway, which is where maintenance vehicles enter and find the track mowed from here on although the gravel has ended and it can be a little muddy in parts. Armenian blackberry and ash vegetate the verges. Come into an open grassy area. Young Creek flows in a sedge-choked slough to the right. The road bed is sandy here below the freeway verge. Move away from the highway with ash woods to the left and a field of canary gras
Trail Stats
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12 m
13 m
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Photos
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