Opal Creek Wilderness
The Opal Creek Wilderness was designated in 1996, after a long and hard battle to protect the area from logging and mining. In 1980, the District Ranger of the Detroit Ranger District, Dave “Chainsaw” Alexander, vowed to “cut Opal Creek.” At one point clearcut boundary markers were even placed. Lawsuits were filed, scenic rivers were designated, and multiple wilderness bills to protect the area failed. When books and photo essays were published in the early 1990s national attention was brought to the area. Finally, the retiring senator Mark Hatfield's last act in office passed and the area was protected.
The wilderness is located in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon, on the border of the Mt. Hood National Forest. A designated "scenic recreation area" of 13,000 acres is adjacent to the 20,733 acre wilderness, creating a nearly 34,000 acre protected area. In addition, the 27,427 acre Bull of the Woods Wilderness in Mt. Hood National Forest shares its southern boundary with the Opal Creek Wilderness.
The Opal Creek Valley contains 50 waterfalls, five lakes, and 40 miles of hiking trails. It forms the largest intact stand of ancient forest in the western Cascades and 500-1000 year old trees are common. The most abundant trees are douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock.
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A very old and tall old-growth tree in the Opal Creek Wilderness
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Old-growth forest in the Opal Creek Wilderness -
Old-growth forest in the Opal Creek Wilderness -
A native orchid growing in the Opal Creek Wilderness area
