- HIKING TRAILS AND WILDFLOWERS by Keith and Barbro McCree -

The Flat Creek Trail provides a relatively easy forest walk near Oakridge. The trail starts in mature forest at Flat Creek, then switchbacks up through younger forest, providing good views from two wildflower meadows about 1 and 3 km up the trail. A lot of timber was harvested from this area in 1996, but the scars are almost invisible from the trail. This is a good example of a logging operation that does not destroy the recreational value of a trail.

Since the trail is popular with local dirt bikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, the tread is likely to be cut up and muddy after rain.

Calypso bulbosa (Calypso Orchid, Fairy Slipper Orchid, Venus Slipper Orchid)

Orchidaceae

Forest orchid with a single broad leaf and a colorful flower on a purple stalk.

Trientalis latifolia (Pacific Starflower)

Primulaceae

Tuberous plant with small pale pink star-shaped flowers above a whorl of leaves. Found in moist areas of the forest.

Aquilegia formosa (Western Columbine, Crimson Columbine)

Ranunculaceae

Showy Columbine with nodding red flowers, yellow in the center. Found in moist, open areas of the forest.

Anemone deltoidea (Columbia Windflower)

Ranunculaceae

Woodland anemone with large ovate leaves and large white flowers.

Digital Photographs by Keith McCree

April - May 1998, March 2002

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