Thurston Hills Hike is a 1.9 mile out and back trail located near Springfield, Oregon that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
trail running
walking
forest
Hike unmarked roads and trails to an incredible view of Jasper Valley and Thurston. Up in the Thurston Hills, past the Mountain Gate housing developments are two small hills. The smaller one has a nice viewpoint about half way up, but the summit is covered in trees. The climb up the larger hill is much more rewarding with one wide open view of Jasper Valley from one viewpoint, and Thurston from a second viewpoint. There is also a grove of madrone at the top of the larger hill. Neither of these hills have nice trails. You will have to find your way along dirt roads and faint trails.
Tried to do this hike today, but couldn't even find the trail after about 1/4 of a mile. Incredibly overgrown and had to look at trash everywhere. We ended up turning around and leaving.
Very difficult to stay on the trail. It wasn't very worn and you have to deal with lots of stickers. The uphill was a good challenge, but the good didn't outweigh the bad. Really too short too.
The hike was especially short, and the views were not impressive.
(garbage, blackberries, poison oak and more garbage)
went on the short hike to the right. parked next to the big pile of garbage someone dumped where a few cars were previously loitering.
then walked through the BBs following the trail of garbage to the base of the tail.
part of the tail is really nice but about 90%of it is SUPER steep and covered I either garbage or poison oak.
you know you've reached the top when you come to the poison oak patch, Coors cans and red solo cups.
I'll be back with a machete and a garbage bag.
Would never have summited if some wonderful person hadn't put a rope in just the right place. Ran into a rattle snake a couple years ago so watch out for that. It very considerately moved over and let me pass with no harm to either of us.
Just put in 4 miles up in the woods not to bad with trash just down low but once you get up on top lots of good views and a really nice hike kinda hard in spots but a good work out and nice change in elevation.
It has a great view. Some scrambling. Don't fall off the cliffs though.
Am I the only one who can't find the actual trail
Not much of a view and trash everywhere.
No trail markings. Steep hike up. Views worth it.