- HIKING TRAILS AND WILDFLOWERS by Keith and Barbro McCree -

Moon Point and Youngs Rock are two massive rock outcrops on the north side of the valley of the Middle Fork Willamette River, upstream from Hills Creek Reservoir. There is a fine view across the valley from Moon Point (1560 m, 5,100 ft.).

The 2 km trail to Moon Point from the trailhead on Road 439 is almost level and is very pretty, passing through a mixture of old forest and damp meadows where wildflowers are abundant in spring and early summer.

The rock outcrops near Logger Butte also have great views and fine wildflowers.

From the intersection with the Moon Point trail, the Youngs Rock trail goes down across the face of a heavily wooded hillside, crossing several small streams. It then traverses a rock scree on the south side of Youngs Rock, and descends to Campers Flat campground. The total distance is about 10 km (6 miles). These trails are heavily used by mountain bikers.

Moon Point from the Youngs Rock Trail

Youngs Rock, the Calapooya Mountains, and Mt. Bailey, from Moon Point

Xerophyllum tenax
(Beargrass)

Liliaceae

Meadow lily with sharp, narrow, grass-like leaves and tall flowering stalks that have clusters of tiny white flowers.

Ribes viscosissimum
(Sticky Currant)

Grossulariaceae

Tall shrub with sticky hairs on the new leaves and stems. White flowers, inedible black berries. Found in open areas of the forest.

Penstemon rupicola
(Rock Penstemon)

Scrophulariaceae

Bright red penstemon commonly found on cliffs, growing in the clefts of rocks.

Digital Photographs by Keith McCree

25 June 1997, 29 June 1998

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