North Oxbow Hike

Overview

The undeveloped and forgotten wild side of Oxbow Regional Park lies north of the Sandy River and encompasses a high peninsula and cobbled Sandy River shores below a forested bluff. Access to the river is via an abandoned logging road. Fishermen's trails lead to the shoreline, which alters each year when the Sandy rages after heavy rain or snowmelt. This is a quiet place, suited to poking around, observing wildlife, and admiring the works of nature. There are few signs and no fee stations. The hike can be done as a loop using little-traveled Gordon Creek Road, or as an in and out if you want to stay away from rural traffic. A hike and bike is also an option if you leave the bike at the upper trailhead and begin your walk from the Gordon Creek Road Trailhead. The access road curves down past the gate under cedars, Douglas-firs, and big-leaf maples. The understory is composed primarily of sword fern, snowberry, salmonberry, and Indian plum. You're on a high bluff above the Sandy with a view down through the trees of the river and across to the main section of Oxbow Regional Park. Pass a blackberry patch and stands of alders and then a second gate. The road continues to descend and makes a 180º turn as you drop to river level. A spur trail leads right to the river bank. The main trail heads left from a grassy clearing back into woods of Douglas-fir, cedar, and cottonwood. Pick up another spur leading right to a beach on the river and a cobbled bar. See fishermen wading into the river on the other side of the Sandy. Along the river verge, logs have been positioned to help create spawning pools for salmon. Head upriver along the beach and then across the bar to a cobbled overflow channel and loop back. A path leads up the bank into the woods, where you locate the main trail and head right. This trail rises slightly on an old road bed and then drops again. The tread curves left into blackberries. A spur leads right to a bank above the Sandy. Pass through a salmonberry/cottonwood bottomland before the path heads up

Trail Stats

Photos

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