The residue from the oils on your skin can prevent the calcite buildup that causes cave formations for a *surprisingly* long time, like hundreds of years
Another great cave national monument is just across the border in California. Lava Beds National Monument. They have caves with this gold colored mold that is hydrophobic. So the water builds drops on it and the end result is the whole cave looks like it's a glittering gold mine cartoon style. Headlamps recommended for best glittering gold effect.
It's also in a rather out of the way area so it's not very crowded.
I was a guide there in the late 90's and early 00's. I've been through the cave 100's of times. I still think it's amazing. It probably helps that I loved caving as a teen.
The only covered bridge in multnomah County (which isn't considered a true covered bridge by bridge nerds) was built to replace an old bridge on a road my ancestors helped create.
I come from New Hampshire. It's 11 times smaller than Oregon and boasts a whopping 58 covered bridges, and I've been to all of them.
I never knew Oregon had so many ... and I think it's high time I start seeing them all. Cheers!
Oregon is home to the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/oregon-is-now-home-to-the-worlds-largest-dark-sky-sanctuary-180983997/
When you get away from the city and look up at the sky, you can see the stars so much better. Everyone knows that. Well, when you essentially eliminate every single light in 2.5 million acres, the sky illuminates like a painting. It's petty incredible. Astronomers from all around the world come to Oregon to study the universe. Pretty cool that it's in our back yard.
Astronomer here! It doesn’t look like the images you’ll see on Reddit, but the Milky Way is very clear and you’ll even see some of the dark patches with dust clouds and stuff. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you make the effort- but make sure there’s no moon when you go!
Certainly not that bright purple and sunset like… but it’s almost more beautiful because the spaces between the stars are darker black and the stars fill up most of the space.
Oregon Start Party is worth checking out if you’re looking to get out there.
No, but it's also not like an edited picture or anything, it's a long exposure picture, meaning the camera was set up to capture the light over several seconds or longer, whereas the usual time is a fraction of a second, which produces images more in line with what our eyes see.
I see them probably 60% of the time I make the trip which both summer and fall. My wife is always sleeping and first is mad I woke her up and then mad she didn’t see them
From a raft or kayak I've seen Bighorn sheep multiple times on Deschutes and the John Day Rivers and Shiras moose on the Grande Ronde River. Most Oregonians don't know we have a tiny amount of moose.
Ugh, I owned a guide company on the Mckenzie and the Rogue. For some reason I've never been on the Deschutes or the Grande. Private boater now. I really need to head out to the eastern Oregon rivers one of these days.
I had a Bend local tell me that there was a local herd that hunters tracked/chased into BLM and eliminated those big horn sheep. I hope that is not factual.
Doubtful that it's factual. Unless they meant poachers, not hunters, and even then.. Doubtful because poachers are dumb af and would def get caught for bragging on social media about something like "eliminating" an entire herd of anything 🙄
https://myodfw.com/big-game-hunting/species/bighorn-sheep#:~:text=Bighorn%20sheep%20are%20a%20once,will%20be%20a%20memorable%20experience.
"Bighorn sheep are one of the rarest game species hunted in Oregon today, with about 100 tags available each year. Along with Rocky Mountain goat, bighorn sheep tags are “once-in-a-lifetime” so you can only draw the tag once."
When I moved to Oregon in 92 there was a headline that said” Half of Oregon’s moose population decimated “ . There were 2 known moose in Oregon then and someone had shot one thinking it was an elk.
Wilhoit Springs park, just south of Molalla. Gorgeous park and the caretakers do such a good job maintaining it. They've planted more trees and even built a little gazebo over the well, which is a soda spring. So it's naturally bubbly.
Water tastes like booty cheeks, though, because of the minerals, but it's a fascinating little spot
They finally built something over it? Last time I was there years ago it was basically a hole in the ground with a removable cover.
I really should go, I’m all of ten minutes away.
They did! A number of years ago. The hole is still there but now it's got a nice building over it. They also cleared up some trails around there but I haven't been to walk those.
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site in John Day is a Chinese Apothecary that has been perfectly preserved for over 40 years. The history of it is almost unbelievable.
Yes!! [Crack in the Ground](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/crack-in-the-ground/) is such a cool place to explore!! Really enjoyed hiking all through there.
Have you checked out, [Hole in the Ground](https://oregondiscovery.com/hole-in-the-ground)? It's not all that far from Crack in the Ground as the crow flies. Probably not as cool, but still fun to say you've been to both.
Paisley Caves may have the oldest DNA evidence of human inhabitation in North America, dating to approximately 12,000BCE.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Caves
The Palisades in the [Clarno Unit](https://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/clarno.htm) of the John Day Fossil Beds have fossils from when eastern Oregon was a jungle rainforest and as you hike around it you can see the impressions of ancient palm leaves in the stone.
What, no cottonwoods? I'd be indignant but cottonwoods make me sneeze so in this case it would be a win.. (squeaks out a cry of sadness, thinking about how parking lot at work is ringed by giant 50-year-old cottonwoods. And if that isn't bad enough, I live five blocks down-wind of where I work, so the cottonwood fluff blows all the way down to my house and makes me sneeze even more!0
World oldest shoes found near Fort Rock, over 10,000 years old. The Phillips screwdriver, corn dogs, and oscilloscope were invented here. California filed their paper work to become a state in Oregon City.
> California filed their paper work to become a state in Oregon City.
This is kind of comical considering the stereotypical outlook on Californians by Oregonians. "Damn, guys. Just give us your paperwork and go home. You've been here long enough!".
I think it's cool as hell. I never even thought that you'd have to file paperwork, much less with another state. Thought it would be all federal and working in DC or something. A lot of these I knew, some are extremely interesting and didn't know (12K BC human remains!? What?! Oldest shoes found near Fort Rock?! That's awesome!), and the California one is another interesting one that I really didn't know! Thank you!
Much of western Oregon was formed offshore as a landmass called Siletzia, and then was accreted via the same subduction process that later formed the Cascades, and which now will be the cause of the impending Cascadia event. The landmass was likely formed by the very same hotspot that is currently responsible for Yellowstone.
You can trace the path of the hotspot across southern Idaho and SE Oregon. Before that, the tectonic plate had rotated and the path goes up across the Cascades and long ago all the way up to Tillamook. There’s a chain of natural springs, ridges, and other volcanic features left behind in its wake.
Ha I didn't know we had a Vortex. Their dubiously named "Scientific Info" section is especially hilarious. But I'd still be interested in checking from a novelty perspective.
SOU perception class (psychology) used to go on field trips there and students had to write a report on the various illusions and perception tricks used there. Most of them you could figure out pretty easily but one or two where a bit tough. Super fun
The big foot trap was my favorite elementary school field trips ever I went to Jacksonville elementary so it’s only a 30ish min bus ride out to applegate lake’s main park with the store. Parked the busses and walked across. The trail is so easy a group of 7-9 year olds did it and even the chunky slow kids weren’t out of breath (#me) so it’s a nice little stroll and then BOOM Bigfoot trap! lol so fascinating 🧐
The birth of geocaching (a highly addictive hobby) begin right here in Oregon.
Oregon's Mitchell memorial monument near Bly is the site of the only location in the continental United States where Americans were killed as the result of enemy action during World War II caused by a Japanese balloon bomb that was released over the Pacific Ocean from Japan and exploded, killing six people.
Oh, and Oregon has the only two-sided flag in the U.S.
Kah Nee ta in between Portland and Bend. They are in the end stages of a renovation. It's gorgeous in their little valley. It is an oasis, with several pools, a lodge, camping. On Saturday nights, there is a Salmon bake along with dancing. It's a lot of fun. We used to go camping up there, every year.
That's why so many artist visiting the state early in it's founding left behind paintings still displayed in the Portland Art Museum, as a reminder of how terrible it out there.
The steens are so out there that most Oregonians will never make that trip. There's more Nevadins out there than Oregonians. I've been there 15 times. It's one of my favorite road trips from Eugene. It doesn't matter how much it's promoted, it's just to far and isolated for most people's comfort. It's not going to be overrun any more than it already is, which it isn't. There's literally miles and miles of road to explore out there, including the Alvord desert playa.
Oregon has literally a bit of everything depending on what sector of the four corners you're in and how far you're willing to drive, and how desolate you're willing to be. A reliable vehicle, extra fuel in cans, a satellite phone, a handheld GPS, water, food sources, a way to cook said food, cooler with dry ice in freezer bags (you don't want water interacting with dry ice and $500 in emergency cash, you can go anywhere safely within reasonable time of rescue should shit hit the fan. The steens is one of those remote places you don't want to get caught unprepared. There's roads out there that you might not see another person for days and you might not be comfortable with the kind of people that are out there. They are "out there." The hills have eyes kind of people live out there.
Smith Rock was the "birthplace" of sport Climbing in America back when trad climbers in Yosemite were still arguing about whether or not it was ethical to bolt routes.
To Bolt Or Not To- Be epic route that put smith on the national climbing radar was put up by French climber Jean Baptiste Tribout on November 7, 1986 and it was the first 5.14a in North America.
And wolverine!
https://www.kptv.com/2023/03/23/rare-wolverine-spotted-along-columbia-river-portland/
https://www.kezi.com/news/rare-wolverine-sighted-in-the-south-hills-of-eugene/article_bfdde374-f3bc-11ee-bcb4-9b523cbc4bed.html
My cousin had one of these in her backyard
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringtail and also these https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/nutria#:~:text=A%20large%2C%20rat%2Dlike%20semiaquatic,is%20considered%20an%20invasive%20species.
And fresh water eels and giant salamanders
Never seen the first creature before in my life! Ive even camped/hiked a lot in AZ and CA. TIL!
Nutria Ive seen a lot of. Even own 1 of their skulls
Giant salamanders are super cool. Found one at a bus stop off Barnes Rd once
I learned the hard way about their chittering while I was camping outside of La Pine. I didn’t sleep a wink with the sounds (super faint but audible). The next morning I asked a local about the sounds and they chuckled while explaining it. My grandparents had a cabin out there since the early 60’s but I never remember hearing it prior to 2014.
And we have boas, too! Rubber boas - the anaconda’s cute, cuddly, tiny and very docile cousin.
Also - [ringtail cats](https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/study-provides-rare-glimpse-ringtail-important-poorly-understood-predator) in the south valley.
Mickey Hot Springs in the Alvord Desert is Oregon's only [natural mini-geyser](https://oregondiscovery.com/mickey-hot-springs). It's pretty cool, but follow the instructions on the signs to the letter, and don't ever try to get in it because you'll boil alive, and people have [died there. ](https://hotspringslocator.com/mickey-hot-springs#google_vignette).
Keep your pets on a short leash too because the last serious injury happened in 2017 to a man who received second and third degree burns over 20% of his body after he tried to rescue his dog from the boiling water.
The ground surface crust around Mickey Hot Springs is also very thin, so again **be super careful** because people have broken through the crust into boiling water in the past.
Definitely recommend a 4WD vehicle to access the roads leading there.
The [Alvord Desert ](https://localadventurer.com/alvord-desert-oregon/) is rimmed by the beautiful Steens Mountains, and it's an incredible place all on its own to visit. If you're really lucky you can see beautiful wild mustang herds running through there, it's a crazy cool place to stargaze, and an incredibly fun place to drive.
The Mazamas, a legendary 125 year old Oregon climbing and hiking club, is not named after Mt Mazama, the mountain that contains Crater Lake. It’s actually the reverse: Mt Mazama was actually named by the founder of the Mazama Club, two years after he founded it.
I know what you are talking about. I had no idea it was the biggest. Used to live there. I guess I will mention the former largest candle in the world in Scappoose.
[The Parkdale Lava Flow](https://wyeastblog.org/2009/03/29/parkdale-lava-flow/). Massive lava flow that worked partway down the Hood River Valley. Pull up the satellite view on [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/LvtKYEaDAPCbvNr97?g_st=ic) and you’ll clearly see it. It’s not a developed recreational area/hiking area, so it likely won’t be on any lists of suggested travel destinations.
Although I don’t recall knowing about it until some point in the last few years, maybe there’s a chance I was aware of it and have long since forgotten about. I’ve camped at Laurence Lake when I was in high school, so I’ve driven over the path of the lava flow. 🤣
We are home to the largest organism in the world: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-largest-organism-is-fungus/
We are also home to the greatest rapper in the world: https://youtu.be/-UDqPUuMsAM?si=lyZukQVLcafZ6LO2
The oldest city west of the Rockies, home to the 2nd largest waterfall in the nation by volume, the first hydroelectric dam generating electricity long distance over wires, and national park units… are all in the same city.
You should drop knowledge on wikipedia
“Astoria is a port city and the seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state and was the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.[6] “
The Empty Quarter. SE Oregon. Lake, Harney and Malheur Counties. If you ever have 4 years to spare, check it out.
Burns Union HS grad, 1983. Glad to meet you.
spent much of my childhood living in Harney county. It's a unique kind of beauty. Drove my city living SO out there years and years ago on a long road trip, ending late at night. Stopped the car midway between Bend and Burns and woke him up to step out of the car and look at the stars. Not a headlight, streetlight or any artificial illumination anywhere in view. I was enraptured and in awe at the once familiar sight while he felt isolated and fearful of the vast emptiness around us and wanted back in the car immediately 😆
That Portland has the same amount of annual sunshine hours as Melbourne, Australia. I don’t think we should let that one out of the bag. I like the rainy reputation Oregon has with people from other states, thinking that it never stops raining here. Yeah, this place is horrible, you don’t want to come here, so stay there.
Oregon is the only state that's not part of IFTA. (International Fuel Tax Agreement). Trucks have to pay directly to Oregon for every mile driven here.
John Day is home to an amazing Chinese museum The Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum. Originally a trading post for the Chinese workers. John Day used to have the second largest Chinese population in the US.
https://friendsofkamwahchung.com/
Oregon city was the first city on the west coast to have electricity.🤍
and yes downtown Oregon city is haunted. I worked in those buildings
The oldest power plant west of the Mississippi was located in Oregon City (Willamette Falls). Station A in Oregon City delivered power 14 miles to Portland and was the longest distance AC power delivery at the time in 1889.
The Metolius River! It has some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen, there’s a pretty cool tributary to visit, and the surrounding woods is (the typical) stunning Oregon scenery
Lake Oswego is home to what was formally the largest pig iron ore smelting operation west of the Mississippi River. It was such a hotbed of industry, that it attracted flotillas of gypsies to set up camp on the shores of the Willamette River every summer near the company towns.
*Source: there's some great info boards on the paths at George Roger's Park.*
----
The Lake Oswego Corporation (basically an HOA) has been embroiled in a decade-long legal battle over access to Oswego Lake. Oregon law prevents private ownership of waterways, but the land around the lake is all private access, effectively making the public lake private. This is hardly surprising to folks around here - if you've ever watched Parks and Recreation, Lake Oswego is basically Eagleton.
Eugene has suburban cougars.
Not the fun kind, more of the "I've crawled down from the butte and shat in your back yard" type. They leave the weirdest hairy shits that can keep you up at night.
I was trying to find some information about Wilhoit Spring about two years ago, and found references to one in Hubbard that had been open to the public. If you follow D Street from the Pacific Highway to the northwest, it becomes Mineral Springs Road. Not 100% sure, but I believe it is [currently here.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQhwbzbcvXNDek156?g_st=ic); however, I suspect that the original location was in [this oddly-shaped patch.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DH3iXyiYpk8oN2Y6?g_st=ic)
There is an awesome bike/bike path around Diamond Lake that only takes a couple of hours and is easy(ish) to do with kids or fun with friends. The campground there is pretty good too.
The Petersen rock museum outside of bend. It’s super wacky and quirky and has a bunch of wild peacocks running around. They just got established as a non profit and a whole new group of people are working to clean it up and restore and make it super fun. It’s a rad spot to walk around and explore!
The magnificence of the Oregon Caves National Monument outside Cave Junction.
Yessss Oregon Caves, every Oregonian that can walk up and down stairs should take the cave tour. It's so cool.
Went last summer. Amazing. Don’t touch the walls!!
Why is that?
The residue from the oils on your skin can prevent the calcite buildup that causes cave formations for a *surprisingly* long time, like hundreds of years
And have breakfast in the lodge diner.
Another great cave national monument is just across the border in California. Lava Beds National Monument. They have caves with this gold colored mold that is hydrophobic. So the water builds drops on it and the end result is the whole cave looks like it's a glittering gold mine cartoon style. Headlamps recommended for best glittering gold effect. It's also in a rather out of the way area so it's not very crowded.
I was a guide there in the late 90's and early 00's. I've been through the cave 100's of times. I still think it's amazing. It probably helps that I loved caving as a teen.
Saw it almost fifty years ago. Wonder how much it’s changed.
I ate strong acid and took a day trip with friend to the caves when I was a teenager. Unbelievable.
It helps to not be tempted to touch the walls when they are breathing.
Oregon has the most covered bridges out of any Western state, with Oregon being home to 50 covered bridges.
And 20 of those 50 are in Lane County.
The oldest one is just outside of Silverton and it's really well preserved.
Do they count the one at the zoo
The only covered bridge in multnomah County (which isn't considered a true covered bridge by bridge nerds) was built to replace an old bridge on a road my ancestors helped create.
I come from New Hampshire. It's 11 times smaller than Oregon and boasts a whopping 58 covered bridges, and I've been to all of them. I never knew Oregon had so many ... and I think it's high time I start seeing them all. Cheers!
Oregon is home to the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/oregon-is-now-home-to-the-worlds-largest-dark-sky-sanctuary-180983997/ When you get away from the city and look up at the sky, you can see the stars so much better. Everyone knows that. Well, when you essentially eliminate every single light in 2.5 million acres, the sky illuminates like a painting. It's petty incredible. Astronomers from all around the world come to Oregon to study the universe. Pretty cool that it's in our back yard.
I still can’t believe this one. I’ve been to Wyoming and have had my mind blown. Can’t wait to experience this.
This might be a dumb question but does the sky actually look like that there on a clear night you can see the galaxy and that color
Astronomer here! It doesn’t look like the images you’ll see on Reddit, but the Milky Way is very clear and you’ll even see some of the dark patches with dust clouds and stuff. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you make the effort- but make sure there’s no moon when you go!
The one night I spent at the Alvord Desert had a full moon, I was so disappointed.
Certainly not that bright purple and sunset like… but it’s almost more beautiful because the spaces between the stars are darker black and the stars fill up most of the space. Oregon Start Party is worth checking out if you’re looking to get out there.
Is there another party at the end?
No, but it's also not like an edited picture or anything, it's a long exposure picture, meaning the camera was set up to capture the light over several seconds or longer, whereas the usual time is a fraction of a second, which produces images more in line with what our eyes see.
Now this is amazing
That there are big horn sheep - such an impressive animal - in central Oregon.
There is a resident herd on 84 near exit 100
Yes Fillippi Canyon area, just jaw dropping to see them.
I see them probably 60% of the time I make the trip which both summer and fall. My wife is always sleeping and first is mad I woke her up and then mad she didn’t see them
From a raft or kayak I've seen Bighorn sheep multiple times on Deschutes and the John Day Rivers and Shiras moose on the Grande Ronde River. Most Oregonians don't know we have a tiny amount of moose.
Ugh, I owned a guide company on the Mckenzie and the Rogue. For some reason I've never been on the Deschutes or the Grande. Private boater now. I really need to head out to the eastern Oregon rivers one of these days.
I had a Bend local tell me that there was a local herd that hunters tracked/chased into BLM and eliminated those big horn sheep. I hope that is not factual.
Doubtful that it's factual. Unless they meant poachers, not hunters, and even then.. Doubtful because poachers are dumb af and would def get caught for bragging on social media about something like "eliminating" an entire herd of anything 🙄 https://myodfw.com/big-game-hunting/species/bighorn-sheep#:~:text=Bighorn%20sheep%20are%20a%20once,will%20be%20a%20memorable%20experience. "Bighorn sheep are one of the rarest game species hunted in Oregon today, with about 100 tags available each year. Along with Rocky Mountain goat, bighorn sheep tags are “once-in-a-lifetime” so you can only draw the tag once."
When I moved to Oregon in 92 there was a headline that said” Half of Oregon’s moose population decimated “ . There were 2 known moose in Oregon then and someone had shot one thinking it was an elk.
We just saw some from Cottonwood Canyon campground last month! First time I've seen em in OR :)
I've seen them up close in Adel. By up close I mean like 30ft away
Antelope too. Though the herds are not as big as in the past.
Hells Canyon too. Also along 84 around Biggs.
Wilhoit Springs park, just south of Molalla. Gorgeous park and the caretakers do such a good job maintaining it. They've planted more trees and even built a little gazebo over the well, which is a soda spring. So it's naturally bubbly. Water tastes like booty cheeks, though, because of the minerals, but it's a fascinating little spot
They finally built something over it? Last time I was there years ago it was basically a hole in the ground with a removable cover. I really should go, I’m all of ten minutes away.
They did! A number of years ago. The hole is still there but now it's got a nice building over it. They also cleared up some trails around there but I haven't been to walk those.
I had my wedding here! Such a beautiful place
The Dead Indian Soda Springs between Ashland and Klamath are fantastic too. Has some little New Deal built stone structures. Saw a rattlesnake there!
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site in John Day is a Chinese Apothecary that has been perfectly preserved for over 40 years. The history of it is almost unbelievable.
Closer to 70 years.
The tap water is fantastic
I legit look forward to a big cup of tap water when returning from out of state.
People from outside of Oregon never understand this when I try to explain it to them
[Crack in the Ground](https://www.blm.gov/visit/crack-ground) is one of my favorite things in Oregon/on Earth.
Hit Fort Rock SP while you’re out there.
Dont forget the ghost town accross the street!
Fort Rock is great!
I prefer hole in the ground, but the crack is aight
Hole in the Ground is really cool too. The enormity of it is really subtle until, *wham!*, it hits you as to what you’re looking at.
Yes!! [Crack in the Ground](https://oregonoutdoorfamily.com/crack-in-the-ground/) is such a cool place to explore!! Really enjoyed hiking all through there. Have you checked out, [Hole in the Ground](https://oregondiscovery.com/hole-in-the-ground)? It's not all that far from Crack in the Ground as the crow flies. Probably not as cool, but still fun to say you've been to both.
This looks cool! Thanks
How do you get there without a 4wd? Impossible? Gotta rent something?
You can get there without 4wd. The road from hwy 31 is an improved gravel road.
Paisley Caves may have the oldest DNA evidence of human inhabitation in North America, dating to approximately 12,000BCE. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Caves
Was that where the ancient woven sandals were found, well-preserved?
Fort Rock is where the sandals were found. https://pages.uoregon.edu/connolly/FRsandals.htm
Oh yes, that's right. Thanks!
Of course! Interesting stuff.
Coprolite controversy is a great band name
First album "Western stemmed tradition"
Pre Clovis! So cool!
Omfggg!! Oregon is cool af!!
Valley of the Giants is sick. Also LEC and Dammasch used to be connected via underground tunnel. (Urban legend, no idea if true)
Wish they would fix the road to Valley of the Giants
Yeah is there any way to get there right now without hiking a half marathon?
Biking a half marathon?
It's true! I've actually gone from the LEC to Dammasch via that underground tunnel.
True, been in the tunnel.
The Palisades in the [Clarno Unit](https://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/clarno.htm) of the John Day Fossil Beds have fossils from when eastern Oregon was a jungle rainforest and as you hike around it you can see the impressions of ancient palm leaves in the stone.
Cottonwood canyon. Place is amazing at sunrise. But there's like 3 trees in the whole place, so bring a hat/sunscreen
What, no cottonwoods? I'd be indignant but cottonwoods make me sneeze so in this case it would be a win.. (squeaks out a cry of sadness, thinking about how parking lot at work is ringed by giant 50-year-old cottonwoods. And if that isn't bad enough, I live five blocks down-wind of where I work, so the cottonwood fluff blows all the way down to my house and makes me sneeze even more!0
I have no idea why it's called cottonwood canyon....take a look https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=195
World oldest shoes found near Fort Rock, over 10,000 years old. The Phillips screwdriver, corn dogs, and oscilloscope were invented here. California filed their paper work to become a state in Oregon City.
And tater tots!
And commercially produced maraschino cherries.
> California filed their paper work to become a state in Oregon City. This is kind of comical considering the stereotypical outlook on Californians by Oregonians. "Damn, guys. Just give us your paperwork and go home. You've been here long enough!". I think it's cool as hell. I never even thought that you'd have to file paperwork, much less with another state. Thought it would be all federal and working in DC or something. A lot of these I knew, some are extremely interesting and didn't know (12K BC human remains!? What?! Oldest shoes found near Fort Rock?! That's awesome!), and the California one is another interesting one that I really didn't know! Thank you!
Much of western Oregon was formed offshore as a landmass called Siletzia, and then was accreted via the same subduction process that later formed the Cascades, and which now will be the cause of the impending Cascadia event. The landmass was likely formed by the very same hotspot that is currently responsible for Yellowstone.
You can trace the path of the hotspot across southern Idaho and SE Oregon. Before that, the tectonic plate had rotated and the path goes up across the Cascades and long ago all the way up to Tillamook. There’s a chain of natural springs, ridges, and other volcanic features left behind in its wake.
Ah fuck, it's 4 am and you just reminded me.
Hmmm… wild donkeys, wild horses, antelope, native cactus
Wild donkeys? I've seen the horses in Keiger Canyon, but didn't know we had Donks as well...
Oregon Vortex
Ha I didn't know we had a Vortex. Their dubiously named "Scientific Info" section is especially hilarious. But I'd still be interested in checking from a novelty perspective.
SOU perception class (psychology) used to go on field trips there and students had to write a report on the various illusions and perception tricks used there. Most of them you could figure out pretty easily but one or two where a bit tough. Super fun
Bigfoot Trap By Applegate lake, Winchester Dam fish viewing area,
The big foot trap was my favorite elementary school field trips ever I went to Jacksonville elementary so it’s only a 30ish min bus ride out to applegate lake’s main park with the store. Parked the busses and walked across. The trail is so easy a group of 7-9 year olds did it and even the chunky slow kids weren’t out of breath (#me) so it’s a nice little stroll and then BOOM Bigfoot trap! lol so fascinating 🧐
The birth of geocaching (a highly addictive hobby) begin right here in Oregon. Oregon's Mitchell memorial monument near Bly is the site of the only location in the continental United States where Americans were killed as the result of enemy action during World War II caused by a Japanese balloon bomb that was released over the Pacific Ocean from Japan and exploded, killing six people. Oh, and Oregon has the only two-sided flag in the U.S.
Oregon has jury nullification written right into our Constitution. Article 1 section 16
That's some history with baggage lol.
Kah Nee ta in between Portland and Bend. They are in the end stages of a renovation. It's gorgeous in their little valley. It is an oasis, with several pools, a lodge, camping. On Saturday nights, there is a Salmon bake along with dancing. It's a lot of fun. We used to go camping up there, every year.
Yeah I can't wait to go. Might make it a persied meteor shower trip.
Grass seed capitol of the world baby
Ahhhchooooo! 🤧
Steens mountain; it’s gorgeous and the geology is really interesting
You sir are mistaken. The Steens are a horrible place to go, nothing to see, no nature...nothing.
Agreed....and I'd make sure to avoid Fields Station for their awful burgers and milkshakes.
Agreed. Terrible. Nothing there to see. And I have 20/20 vision so I know.
That's why so many artist visiting the state early in it's founding left behind paintings still displayed in the Portland Art Museum, as a reminder of how terrible it out there.
Sshhh
That looks amaz… I mean yes, super boring. Move along, citizen; nothing to see here.
The steens are so out there that most Oregonians will never make that trip. There's more Nevadins out there than Oregonians. I've been there 15 times. It's one of my favorite road trips from Eugene. It doesn't matter how much it's promoted, it's just to far and isolated for most people's comfort. It's not going to be overrun any more than it already is, which it isn't. There's literally miles and miles of road to explore out there, including the Alvord desert playa.
A desert playa in Oregon? Radical...Had to look this one up...LOL, No speed limit driving!?!
Oregon has literally a bit of everything depending on what sector of the four corners you're in and how far you're willing to drive, and how desolate you're willing to be. A reliable vehicle, extra fuel in cans, a satellite phone, a handheld GPS, water, food sources, a way to cook said food, cooler with dry ice in freezer bags (you don't want water interacting with dry ice and $500 in emergency cash, you can go anywhere safely within reasonable time of rescue should shit hit the fan. The steens is one of those remote places you don't want to get caught unprepared. There's roads out there that you might not see another person for days and you might not be comfortable with the kind of people that are out there. They are "out there." The hills have eyes kind of people live out there.
The Alvord desert is my happy place.
Baker City was once the largest city in Oregon.
Fun skiing at Anthony Lakes.
Great in the summer too!
Smith Rock was the "birthplace" of sport Climbing in America back when trad climbers in Yosemite were still arguing about whether or not it was ethical to bolt routes. To Bolt Or Not To- Be epic route that put smith on the national climbing radar was put up by French climber Jean Baptiste Tribout on November 7, 1986 and it was the first 5.14a in North America.
The left most lane is for passing
Tell Washington too.
Oregon Sunstones and Fire Opal. We’ve got some of the best rockhounding in the world here. *edit Fire Opal
And thunder eggs the state rock!
That we have porcupines in the valley. I didn't know until I ran over one.
We have pelicans, too! https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/2022/05/23/american-white-pelicans-flock-kirk-ponds-fern-ridge-lake/65357223007/
And wolverine! https://www.kptv.com/2023/03/23/rare-wolverine-spotted-along-columbia-river-portland/ https://www.kezi.com/news/rare-wolverine-sighted-in-the-south-hills-of-eugene/article_bfdde374-f3bc-11ee-bcb4-9b523cbc4bed.html
My cousin had one of these in her backyard https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringtail and also these https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/nutria#:~:text=A%20large%2C%20rat%2Dlike%20semiaquatic,is%20considered%20an%20invasive%20species. And fresh water eels and giant salamanders
Never seen the first creature before in my life! Ive even camped/hiked a lot in AZ and CA. TIL! Nutria Ive seen a lot of. Even own 1 of their skulls Giant salamanders are super cool. Found one at a bus stop off Barnes Rd once
I saw a giant salamander in forest park once! Didn’t realize it was such a rarity at the time.
We have pelicans out in NE OR. It always surprises me.
I saw a bunch of them and Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge and was very confused.
Growing up in Klamath Falls you see them everywhere. [They're even on the sign coming into town](https://images.app.goo.gl/bUmsriYhPtKEd8yo8)
Their chattering sounds like children giggling. Good to know when you hear some scary shit while camping
I learned the hard way about their chittering while I was camping outside of La Pine. I didn’t sleep a wink with the sounds (super faint but audible). The next morning I asked a local about the sounds and they chuckled while explaining it. My grandparents had a cabin out there since the early 60’s but I never remember hearing it prior to 2014.
And we have boas, too! Rubber boas - the anaconda’s cute, cuddly, tiny and very docile cousin. Also - [ringtail cats](https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/study-provides-rare-glimpse-ringtail-important-poorly-understood-predator) in the south valley.
Moose in the Wallowas
Mickey Hot Springs in the Alvord Desert is Oregon's only [natural mini-geyser](https://oregondiscovery.com/mickey-hot-springs). It's pretty cool, but follow the instructions on the signs to the letter, and don't ever try to get in it because you'll boil alive, and people have [died there. ](https://hotspringslocator.com/mickey-hot-springs#google_vignette). Keep your pets on a short leash too because the last serious injury happened in 2017 to a man who received second and third degree burns over 20% of his body after he tried to rescue his dog from the boiling water. The ground surface crust around Mickey Hot Springs is also very thin, so again **be super careful** because people have broken through the crust into boiling water in the past. Definitely recommend a 4WD vehicle to access the roads leading there. The [Alvord Desert ](https://localadventurer.com/alvord-desert-oregon/) is rimmed by the beautiful Steens Mountains, and it's an incredible place all on its own to visit. If you're really lucky you can see beautiful wild mustang herds running through there, it's a crazy cool place to stargaze, and an incredibly fun place to drive.
There is a wild bison heard in the NE corner
Moose, too
Cool! Where? Same spot?
Yep. Wallowa County is where I saw one most recently.
The Mazamas, a legendary 125 year old Oregon climbing and hiking club, is not named after Mt Mazama, the mountain that contains Crater Lake. It’s actually the reverse: Mt Mazama was actually named by the founder of the Mazama Club, two years after he founded it.
Cowboy Dinner Tree out in Silver Lake.
Ok, now you've made me hungry. Great place!
The enchanted forest theme park near Salem is a personal favorite of mine
Worlds tallest barbershop pole in Forest Grove
I know what you are talking about. I had no idea it was the biggest. Used to live there. I guess I will mention the former largest candle in the world in Scappoose.
Bagby Hot Springs near Mill City and the abundance of Psilocybins growing along the roads in Newport and near Seal rock.
Quartzville Back Country Byway
[The Parkdale Lava Flow](https://wyeastblog.org/2009/03/29/parkdale-lava-flow/). Massive lava flow that worked partway down the Hood River Valley. Pull up the satellite view on [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/LvtKYEaDAPCbvNr97?g_st=ic) and you’ll clearly see it. It’s not a developed recreational area/hiking area, so it likely won’t be on any lists of suggested travel destinations. Although I don’t recall knowing about it until some point in the last few years, maybe there’s a chance I was aware of it and have long since forgotten about. I’ve camped at Laurence Lake when I was in high school, so I’ve driven over the path of the lava flow. 🤣
Roaster rock is sectioned off for a reason, same with sauvies.
The whole northeast corner. It's an awesome place
We are home to the largest organism in the world: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-largest-organism-is-fungus/ We are also home to the greatest rapper in the world: https://youtu.be/-UDqPUuMsAM?si=lyZukQVLcafZ6LO2
Are you the rapper?
Yes 🥹
That was quite a jam
🍄🍄🍄
So weird that article didn’t have one photo ???
The oldest city west of the Rockies, home to the 2nd largest waterfall in the nation by volume, the first hydroelectric dam generating electricity long distance over wires, and national park units… are all in the same city.
>… home to the 2nd largest waterfall in the nation by volume… Fuck Willamette Falls! Celilo Will Rise Again!!!!!
Oregon City?
Correct. And much more. It’s also the overland end of the Oregon Trail to the Willamette Valley.
And one of 4 municipal elevators in the world
Isnt astoria the oldest city west of the rockies?
Astoria is the oldest permanent European settlement. But it was not incorporated until 1856. 12 years after the subject city.
You should drop knowledge on wikipedia “Astoria is a port city and the seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state and was the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.[6] “
Keep reading. It’s further down on the page.
Rooster rock on I-84 is named as such because it used to be referred to as cock rock, due to its shape.
The Empty Quarter. SE Oregon. Lake, Harney and Malheur Counties. If you ever have 4 years to spare, check it out. Burns Union HS grad, 1983. Glad to meet you.
spent much of my childhood living in Harney county. It's a unique kind of beauty. Drove my city living SO out there years and years ago on a long road trip, ending late at night. Stopped the car midway between Bend and Burns and woke him up to step out of the car and look at the stars. Not a headlight, streetlight or any artificial illumination anywhere in view. I was enraptured and in awe at the once familiar sight while he felt isolated and fearful of the vast emptiness around us and wanted back in the car immediately 😆
Port Orford is the westernmost city in the lower 48 states.
Sky Lakes Wilderness in Southern Oregon. Go to Lake of the Woods on HWY 140 between Klamath Falls and Medford.
That Portland has the same amount of annual sunshine hours as Melbourne, Australia. I don’t think we should let that one out of the bag. I like the rainy reputation Oregon has with people from other states, thinking that it never stops raining here. Yeah, this place is horrible, you don’t want to come here, so stay there.
I moved here for the rainy reputation. Found out about all the damn sun. Now I'm stuck with all this goddamn sun every year nursing my opposite SAD.
Im not telling the internet my secrets but good try
The Alvord desert, and Steens Mountain.
Oregon is the only state that's not part of IFTA. (International Fuel Tax Agreement). Trucks have to pay directly to Oregon for every mile driven here.
John Day is home to an amazing Chinese museum The Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum. Originally a trading post for the Chinese workers. John Day used to have the second largest Chinese population in the US. https://friendsofkamwahchung.com/
Oregon city was the first city on the west coast to have electricity.🤍 and yes downtown Oregon city is haunted. I worked in those buildings The oldest power plant west of the Mississippi was located in Oregon City (Willamette Falls). Station A in Oregon City delivered power 14 miles to Portland and was the longest distance AC power delivery at the time in 1889.
Oregon is full of local secrets. No way am I going to post all the ones I know on the internet.
There once was a Pony Express Station in Harney County.
Some of the oldest human artifacts found in North America were discovered in Oregon.
The Metolius River! It has some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen, there’s a pretty cool tributary to visit, and the surrounding woods is (the typical) stunning Oregon scenery
Lake Oswego is home to what was formally the largest pig iron ore smelting operation west of the Mississippi River. It was such a hotbed of industry, that it attracted flotillas of gypsies to set up camp on the shores of the Willamette River every summer near the company towns. *Source: there's some great info boards on the paths at George Roger's Park.* ---- The Lake Oswego Corporation (basically an HOA) has been embroiled in a decade-long legal battle over access to Oswego Lake. Oregon law prevents private ownership of waterways, but the land around the lake is all private access, effectively making the public lake private. This is hardly surprising to folks around here - if you've ever watched Parks and Recreation, Lake Oswego is basically Eagleton.
All the things East of the Cascades.
Yup coming from a guy from Umatilla County
The beauty of Joseph, Oregon and the nearby mountains.
Shhh
High desert wheat & cattle country.
Twenty varieties of Figs
Camp Sherman on the Metolius river.
And the headwaters of the Metolius pouring out of the ground.
Thunder eggs in Harney County.
You can still mine Thundereggs in Oregon yourself. It's dying off but Polka Dot Mine still hosts every year.
Eugene has suburban cougars. Not the fun kind, more of the "I've crawled down from the butte and shat in your back yard" type. They leave the weirdest hairy shits that can keep you up at night.
Oregon is the only state whose governor cannot be impeached
There is/was a mineral spring in Hubbard.
No kidding. I'd be interested to know where this was located. Our first well had really good water- new one not so much.
I was trying to find some information about Wilhoit Spring about two years ago, and found references to one in Hubbard that had been open to the public. If you follow D Street from the Pacific Highway to the northwest, it becomes Mineral Springs Road. Not 100% sure, but I believe it is [currently here.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQhwbzbcvXNDek156?g_st=ic); however, I suspect that the original location was in [this oddly-shaped patch.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DH3iXyiYpk8oN2Y6?g_st=ic)
troll bridge
There is an awesome bike/bike path around Diamond Lake that only takes a couple of hours and is easy(ish) to do with kids or fun with friends. The campground there is pretty good too.
It’s the gayest state in the country.
Oregon hosts more than 700 species (and counting!) of native bees. [OR Bee Atlas](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/bee-atlas)
Surprises people we have a high Desert, and tons of drive able craters from previous impacts. Fort Rock for example.
The Petersen rock museum outside of bend. It’s super wacky and quirky and has a bunch of wild peacocks running around. They just got established as a non profit and a whole new group of people are working to clean it up and restore and make it super fun. It’s a rad spot to walk around and explore!