Another beautiful morning in the Willamette Valley; up around 5:30 AM to go meet Joe and get up into Opal Creek for one last major exploration of the Region. This time I had brought along my brother to show him what all the fuss was about here and why he must see it. The first stop was at a parking lot to meet up with Joe and then ride up with him to the Opal lot which is above the three pools swimming area which is always packed on the weekends and afternoons in the summer. Once there we set off at fast pace then stopped to do our first creek crossing since the bridge was out. This was a good photo op and then it was snack time. Though I greatly under calculate how many snacks to bring since we were going to be at it all day and between me and my brother we only had 3 muffins of which I brought them all. Then we were off again to go up Gold Creek and explore what it had to offer. This would include some frigid swimming and some scaling of small cliffs. This was fun and a new experience to add to what I had already done in the region. This though was still in the morning and Joe had an absolutely packed day planned as we then made our way back to the main trail all the way to its conclusion. Then back down, but to avoid another creek crossing we took a different and slightly longer loop to get to the other foot bridges in the region.  Once we had completed this hike we went on to go back to the regular spot to show my brother one of the best swimming spots in the state and since it is a one mile trek up a creek with no trails to it there are very people who ever go there. Once there we went swimming until the sun began to leave us. Then it was the several mile trek back to the vehicle. Now with now food and hunger setting in we couldn’t wait to get back to civilization. Once back in the city it was a stop by a fast food place to get our fix and go into a food coma after the days long and memorable trek.

Likability 9/10 you must do your research in this area to have a truly epic time. Although you can see a lot if just go here and are willing to hike a long way. 

This was my post graduation trip. This would be my first venture into the Opal Creek area. The first part of our journey was to travel through the beautiful Oregon Western Cascade forest. Then we began a steep jaunt down to the campsite which was located about 100 yards below the trail and invisible to those on the trail. It was the perfect site to set up the four two man tents we had brought to sleep in. The space also had moss that acted as carpet so shoes around camp were not necessary. This was great because all of our boots were soaked from several creek crossing earlier in the day. Not only was the campsite perfect it was across the creak from the Bushey Brother's mines. We then settled in for the night and awoke with a plan to enter and explore as many mines as possible the next day there. All of which were different and mystifying at the same time. My favorite was the first though (the one in the video below); it was great getting to see an old tool box and have space enough that a truck could have been parked inside. All while knowing 2 men in the early 1900's had done all this with explosive and hand tools. We continued exploring mines until mid afternoon by then we decided to go explore Indian Flats. The Flats though were a huge disappointment compared to the sight we had seen earlier in the day. 6/10-6/12/2013

Likability 9.5/10 This region has so many amazing places to go. Especially if you don't mind wading up all creeks in the area.