Thurston Hills Hike is a 2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Springfield, Oregon that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This is an off trail route to incredible views of Jasper Valley and Thurston. Neither of the hills have nice trails. You will have to find your way along dirt roads and faint trails.
The hike up the larger hill gets pretty steep at the very top, and if it's been raining is very slick.
To get here take Hwy 126 east from I-5 in Springfield all the way to Main Street. Turn left at the light. Drive East and turn right on 67th St. Turn left at 66th Pl and follow to a dead end.
Hard to follow. Not sure if I was in the right place. A little trashy too.
Things I've learned: just because something looks like a trail and is a trail, doesn't mean it's the right trail. (Also maybe, keep to the map and other reviewers advice instead of listening to your spouse's insistence that, "I mean, it looks like a trail, let's see where it goes!") So I didn't want to necessarily want to leave a review as I haven't really taken the trail, except to say that there are a lot of trails and it's not obvious which to take. Cheers!
Great trail, but I would suggest parking at the gate on 66th and hiking up 66th where there is a dead end and the trail starts behind the guardrail (go to the left at the first intersecting trail, then right at the second intersection, then left when there is a down barbed wire fence). That is a more established trail, and you can make it longer by going around the Butte. It can be overgrown if you go around the butte, but gorgeous views and it goes right up to mossy maple connector.
super fun 3.4 mile loop on both sides of the river and waterfalls for a very scenic adventure
(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.