Sauvie Island

On a sunny day I took a trip to Sauvie Island to see if any birds could be found to photograph. Sure enough, I managed to get close to an adult bald eagle dragging a branch out of a tree. I suspect it was for building a nest or patching an existing one.

Soon after, I took a trip to L.L. “Stub” Stewart Memorial State Park. It is situated next to the Banks-Vernonia Rail Trail.

I drove to the upper parking area, used primarily by equestrians. 

Oregon Coastal Mountains

My hiking destinations were Unfit Settlement View, a little more than a mile uphill from the trailhead, then to Skycar Viewpoint, and finally to Boomscooter Pond.

I read once the name “Unfit Settlement” refers to a 19th century surveyor’s assessment of the poor homesteading potential in the area.

Upon reaching the Unfit Settlement viewpoint, the highest point in the park (1,528 feet), it became clear that trees had grown high enough to obscure most of the views. 

After hiking back downhill for a ways, I made a turn onto the trail leading to Skycar Viewpoint. From the Viewpoint, Boomscooter Pond coud be seen in the woods below. I decided to extend the outing and hike down to the pond. It was very pleasant.

As I’ve mentioned before, one of the fun things about hiking in the Park is that most everything has a name that comes from the days of the old-time railroads – – – skycar, swing donkey, boomscooter, caddywhomper, etc.