2011 USATF National Championships (Days 5 & 6)-Eugene, OR

The day after the finals of the USATF Junior Men's 5K Spider freshman Ryan Lee (12th in 14:42.84), NCAA 3KSC All-American, Andrew Benford (Photo left of waterfall) and assistant coach, Jon Molz ran to Upper Trestle Falls.  The falls are located several miles south of Eugene, OR.  These falls are located in the Umpoua National Forest and the trail leading in was part of the Noonday Wagon Trail leading to the Bohemian mining area (Gold, Silver, Copper).  There is tremendous history and we took a self guided educational tour to enlighten ourselves. 

DAY #5...
           UPPER TRESTLE FALLS and THE SWIM...

The Umpoua National Forest is located in a remote area of Oregon south of Eugene near Cottage Grove.  To get there take I-5 to Cottage Grove. Follow the Dorena Lake signs heading East. Continue on past Dorena Lake. The two lane road turns into a single track paved road just past Disston. Continue to a bridge that takes a slight left turn and crosses the creek. Champion Creek Road is to the right and the sign to Trestle Falls and Noonday Wagon Trail are on your left..

We stopped for gas in Cottage Grove and asked the attendant, "do you know where Trestle Falls is?"...He replied, "Never heard of it." 

The Noonday Wagon Trail is not much more than a single track foot path these days however part of the trail has been maintained for 4x4 jeep traffic.  This part of the trail looked like you were running in a tropical forest, except the temperatures were in the 60's.

Andrew Benford and Ryan Lee made the trek to Upper Trestle Falls...
Notice the trail actually goes behind the falls giving the vantage of running behind the waterfall.

Andrew Benford and Ryan Lee heading off the mountain.

The view from behind Upper Trestle Falls.

The trail to Upper Trestle Falls included a tough climb but
according to Molz, Benford and Lee, "it was well worth it". 
They claimed it was the "best run of their lives."

An old tree next to the trail...



Brice Creek...



Andrew Benford on the way out taking a look at how clear the water is...
This pool was over 15 feet deep.



One of the bridges on the trail...

Brice Creek and its snow melt water...
Documented 35-42 degree water year-round..
Very cold!

Jon Molz and Andrew Benford next to Brice Creek.

Andrew Benford takes a jump into the 40 degree water after a 65 minute run in the mountains.

Ryan Lee getting ready to jump into the ice cold water...

Ryan Lee just before his scream of "get me outa here!"

Jon Molz taking the jump..
They had to take several jumps since the camera didn't capture the moment too well. 
After a few attempts they finally got the photo they were looking for.

LOWER TRESTLE FALLS...

Lower Trestle Falls...
It's only a mile from the road and worth every step to get there.
It's hard to believe this in located in Oregon...Amazing waterfall!!



An old fallen tree over the trail has a new tree growing out of it.

 

The trail leading to Lower Trestle Falls...



Another bridge on the trail...



Luke running into Trestle Falls...



Luke just wanted to run with the "racers" as he calls our team members.

Luke still on his way to Lower Trestle Falls...
Here he is running under an old fallen tree across the trail.

The trail climbed slightly...nothing like the one leading to Upper Trestle Falls.

Another old log across the trail...

Luke ran ahead, reaching the falls before Lori and me...He came back excited to show us what he "discovered"!

Lower Trestle Falls

Luke standing on the fallen logs at the base of Lower Trestle Falls.

Me, Lori and Luke.

Luke wanted to climb out onto this fallen log suspended 25 feet in the air...
Lori didn't think that was such a good idea. 

Lower Trestle Falls...

The Slug...They grow big in these parts...
As Coach Molz pointed out, "Slugs (or shell-less snails) occupy the phylum Mollusca in the class known as Gastropoda. Unlike their brethren the snails, slugs can occupy an ecological range without rich calcium deposits required to build shells. Of course, the down side to running naked of shell is the risk of desiccation. Thus the attraction to moist climates such as found in the Pacific Northwest."

Luke heading back down the mountain in search of the "racers".

Brice Creek...

Nicol Traynor took and ice bath in Brice Creek...
Luke thought he wanted to join her...until he touched the water with his foot.
He decided 40 degree water is better to look at than to swim in.

DAY #6...
              VOO DOO DOUGHNUTS in Eugene, OR

Voo Doo Doughnuts has been featured on the Travel Chanel many times.
Here's a short video LINK.

Seriously, this is one odd donut shop.

This sign was a warning of what was inside...

Ryan Lee and Luke check it out...

One of their most popular donuts is the
"Cream Filled Maple/Bacon" (on the right in this photo).
It has 2 slices of bacon on top of it. 
We can't mention the names of most of the others,
but you will get the idea if you do a google search.

Jon Molz with the "Chocolate, Oreo Peanut Butter Donut".

The "Chocolate, Oreo Peanut Butter Donut".

SAHALIE FALLS...
                     TO KOOSAH FALLS...
                                          TO CLEAR LAKE...

Sahalie Falls is located East of Eugene on Rt 126...
Andrew Benford, Ryan Lee and Jon Molz ran from here to Clear Lake
roughly a hour away...Along the trail were tremendous views and several old lava fields.

Nicol Traynor and Luke on their way to Sahalie Falls...



Another great trail connects Sahalie Falls with Koosah Falls...

 

The McKenzie River below Sahalie Falls...

The trail to Koosah Falls...

The McKenzie River...

Koosah Falls!!!

The canyon below Koosah Falls...

Ryan Lee crossing the McKenzie River on his way to Clear Lake.

Andrew Benford crossing the McKenzie River on his way to Clear Lake.

The trail next to Clear Lake...

Ryan Lee picks up the pace...

Andrew Benford passing through on of the lava fields Clear Lake.

Ryan Lee and Andrew Benford...

The snow capped peaks of "Sisters Mountains"...

Clear Lake...
You can see the  bottom at 50 feet deep in places...

One of the remarkably clear pools of water leading into Clear Lake.

This photo does not do justice to the clarity of the water...

Ryan Lee running around Clear Lake...

Sisters Mountains in the background...still covered in snow.