1 min
Overview
The site of Jason Lee's 1834 Methodist mission to the Kalapuya natives, Willamette Mission State Park encompasses Beaver Island (no longer an island), Mission Lake and fields and orchards on the south bank of the Willamette River. Lee was the first English-speaking settler in the Willamette Valley and a historical marker pays homage to his mission; the buildings were destroyed by the great flood of 1861 several years after Lee departed. The park is also the site of the Wheatland ferry crossing, the state's oldest, the nation's largest black cottonwood, picnic areas and a variety of trails. The short loop of 2.6 miles takes you to the historical site, the cottonwood, and the ferry landing. A longer loop of 6.9 miles takes in fields and riparian woodland at the outer fringes of the park area. The loops can also be started at the Mission Lake Trailhead, across Mission Lake from the champion cottonwood. From the day-use trailhead, take the paved trail to the right of the restrooms through lichen-draped filberts to reach the river. Fox squirrels scurry busily about. See the high, light-colored bluffs on the opposite bank of the Willamette. Cottonwoods, ash, and red osier dogwood crowd the bank. In the undergrowth, there is also Armenian blackberry, poison oak, reed canary-grass and trailing blackberry. You can see the Wheatland ferry plying its crossing up ahead. Short trails lead down to the slippery banks of the river. Filberts and young Douglas-firs hem one in on the right. Come to a junction with another paved bike trail on the right and a picnic table. Pass the trail on the right leading to the Mission Site Viewing Area. Continue to the Wheatland Ferry Landing to observe the operation. This ferry dates to 1844. You can continue along the path on the river bank past the ferry landing to the park's boat ramp. Beyond here, a trail leads along the shore about a quarter of a mile. Return to the paved trail leading west from the ferry landing. Walk about 200 yards to make a left on the grassy trail to the Willamet
Trail Stats
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Photos
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