NPSO 2024 Annual Meeting

May 17 - 19     Spirit Mountain Hotel, Grand Ronde, Oregon

Field Trips

Sunday May 19, 2024    9 a.m. - Noon                    Field Trip # 92

Difficulty:     Easy to moderate  (0.5 mile) - Asphalt path up steep hill to viewpoint

Elevation:     110 feet elevation gain

Group Size Limit:     12, maximum of three vehicles because of limited parking at base of trail

Trip Description:     This trip begins with a 0.5-mile walk to Erratic Rock State Natural Site. Enjoy the view, examine a 40-ton glacial erratic and learn about the Ice Age floods. Seventeen to 12 thousand years ago, the rock floated in an iceberg from Canada, reaching the Willamette Valley by way of the Columbia River. Water levels rose over 400 feet in the valley and, when the ice melted, glacial erratics were deposited in the lower hills. This rock, the largest erratic in the valley, was stranded 250 feet above the valley floor on a hillside near McMinnville. We will then travel a short distance to Yamhill Valley Vineyards for a ¾ mile walk through the vineyard and to learn about their sustainable farming practices. Yamhill Valley Vineyards also protects native white oaks on their property. The tour will end with an optional wine tasting (reservation required, tasting fee applies).

Appropriate Clothing and Footwear:     Sturdy hiking shoes, hiking poles optional.

Meeting Place and Time:     Trip # 92 leaves at 9 a.m. from parking lot west of Hotel. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure time to meet your group and arrange carpools.

Driving Miles and Time from Spirit Mountain Hotel:     16 miles, 20 minutes to Erratic Rock State Park. Another 1.2 miles, 3 minutes to Yamhill Valley Vineyards.

Driving Directions:     Trip leader will provide detailed driving instructions.

Leader:       Lisa Blackburn

Cheahmill Chapter President

Plant Lists and Other Information:     Clink on the links below for more information about this trip.

Yamhill Valley from the Erratic Rock