North Umpqua Trail: Marsters Segment

(Click on any picture for larger view and slide show)

 

 

Trailhead sign

I’ve heard it said that if you’ve been a little under the weather, or perhaps getting over an illness, a little exercise is actually good for you, as long as you don’t over-do it and your body is capable. This was the case for me, as I was sick a few weeks ago back in February. Ever since then, I’ve been feeling just kinda “blah”. But once the self-pity subsided and the weather forecast looked cheerful, I decided it was time to trail-test my new backpack I just received from REI.

 



Fern

This hike would be the Marsters segment, which would put another notch in my N.U.T belt. I arrived at the trailhead near Horse Shoe Bend campground about 11:00, and hit the dirt path under a clear, sunlit sky, even though I would never get the chance to actually enjoy it:  I would be on the north side of the hill avoiding the sun as I traipsed through shade the entire hike. Ok, so I wasn’t done with my self-pity yet.

 



My instructions for this hike

The sign at the trailhead instructed me to “be a responsible hiker”, as well as suggest that I make “minor trail repairs” if able to. I always do my best, wherever I hike, to clear the trail of any annoying limb, rocks, and other debris if I can. I had not noticed this sign prior to this hike, so I wondered if they had put it on this trailhead, on this section of the trail, for any particular reason…

 





Shady forest

With pep in my step, I was eager to get my hiking legs moving again after a 3 week hiatus, so I moved swiftly the first mile to see how they fared. They held up well, thank you very much. The trail was a gradual up and down above the river, with evergreen trees, moss, and ferns dominating the scenery. Yep, lots of green today!

 

A little over a mile into my “recovery” hike, I came to a screeching halt, as I came across some “debris”, which was certainly obstructing the path. Ahh, this is where the “responsible hiker” part comes in, eh? I was able to remove the top part of the tree, which had managed to detach itself from it’s heavier bottom, with no problem, but struggled with the heavier trunk, which was at least 40 feet long and very heavy. I was able to rock it back and forth, trying to get it to roll over the bank, but it defied all my efforts. Ok, now I was determined to move this thing. I set my camera down, took my pack off, and dug in. I heaved-ho for nearly 5 minutes, pushing, pulling, and breaking a sweat before the log finally let loose it’s grasp, eventually rolling a whopping 4 feet over the edge. As I stood up panting and sweating over my bark-covered defeated adversary, I managed to blurt out a Stewie-esque “Victory is mine” and bid adieu to this bout with nature.

After my “minor trail repair”, I grabbed my camera and backpack and started off again. Only then did I discover I had not escaped unscathed from my mighty tree battle. With blood running down my right ring finger, I noticed I had sustained a minor injury on my knuckle. Actually, it sounds worse than it was. A little direct pressure and the bleeding stopped quickly. Undeterred, I moved on, hoping I wouldn’t have to kick another dead tree’s ass.

 

 

 

This section of the N.U.T. is the epitome of what green is in Oregon. The trail was flanked by emerald moss and deep green ferns nearly the entire length. The river was almost always within eyesight, with the occasional detour to cross a bridge over a creek, making for some good photo-ops with longer exposure settings on my camera.

 

I eventually reached the end of this section of trail at Marsters Bridge. I took a short lunch break near the river, then promptly reversed course and headed back down river. By this time the sun was at the peak of teasing me while it lit up the hillside on the opposite side of the river. I did, however, get to enjoy a little bit of the sun as it managed to peak through certain southerly facing parts of the trail.

 

With the end of this 7.7 mile hike only a few steps away, I had totally forgotten about my previous illness and any self-pity I may have had. This hike was just what the doctor ordered. It’s amazing what just a few moments of walking in the sun can do for your mood. And kicking a tree’s ass.