Fall term is here, but being back in school shouldn’t be an excuse not to make weekend excursions in Eugene, some of which are literally walking distance away. Eugene is a day tripper’s paradise, offering a multitude of entertaining activities, with almost anything one could desire in a two hours’ driving vicinity. So this fall, when things are getting glum and heavy, be sure to try out one of these spots.
Cougar Hot Springs
These nearby hot springs are one popular destination for those searching for relaxation in any weather, at any time throughout the year.
You can get there by driving East on Highway 126 for about 53 miles, turning right on the Cougar Reservoir turnoff, and following that winding, mountain road for about 20 minutes. The trail head leading to the hot spring (another 20-minute walk) is marked by a large parking lot that overlooks the reservoir. You can’t miss it.
Be sure to have some loose cash with you, because at certain times a park fee collector will be camped out at the trail head – the gatekeeper to your hot spring experience. The fee for entering the hot springs is $5 per person.
Megan Lindley, 25, thought the hot springs were worth both the trip out and the small entry fee.
“I liked the natural rock pools, instead of man-made pools,” she said. “I’ve only been to the one other hot spring — Bagby — but I thought Couger was nicer. It wasn’t too long of a trek out, but it was far enough from the highway that you weren’t getting traffic noise.”
Although it’s prescient knowledge for any seasoned Oregonian, newcomers beware — when traveling to popular spots off the beaten path — definitely expect nudity.
“I was fine with (the nudity). I try to give some personal space as far as that goes,” Lindley said. “I’m not gonna go sit right next to a hairy naked dude, if I can help it, but there seemed to be enough space for people to enjoy themselves.”
Eugene Wine Tours
For of-age students looking for a casual day in the scenic Oregon countryside, a number of wineries just southwest of Eugene could be just the thing.
By taking Highway 126 west to Veneta (about 20 minutes from the heart of town), and turning south onto the Territorial Highway, you can access a chain of wineries along a 64-mile-loop that meanders through forested hills to Cottage Grove at it’s southernmost point, and back up to Eugene via Interstate 5.
Tim Olsen, who celebrated his wedding in Central Oregon in June, said for his bachelor party, participants visited nearly all the wineries along that loop and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He singled out Sweet Cheeks as his select winery.
“Sweet Cheeks has free wine tasting, and it’s really cool,” Olsen said. “Typically when you do wine tasting, it’ll be like ten bucks to try all the wines they have that day. (With) little taster portions, you’d have to go to a bunch of (wineries) to get drunk.”
The loop also takes you passed Benton-Lane Winery, King Estate, Lavelle Vineyards, Saginaw Vineyard, Secret House Winery, and Silvan Ridge/ Hinman Vineyards.
Olsen suggested taking one of the bus tours associated with the wineries, to avoid a possibly dangerous drive home after a day of tasting.
“There’s like bus tours that do wine tasting — round trip,” he said. “If you wanted to do it right, that’s how I’d go about it.”
Ridgeline Trail to Cascades Raptor Center
If you love nature walks and legitimate opportunities to geek out on the magnificence of animals, this last day trip tip is certainly worth considering. Nestled away on a rustic three-acre site at the base of Spencer’s Butte, the Cascades Raptor Center houses 60 raptors from 33 different species. It also happens to be located adjacent to the Ridgeline Trail, which offers a scenic route to the Center by foot or bicycle.
The Ridgeline Trail begins in the Amazon Headwaters area and takes you on an undulating trek through the Spencer’s Butte foothills. The trail is the best way to reach the Center if you are sans vehicle, because there are no sidewalks on Fox Hollow Road after the final bus stop.
If you want to drive to the center, take Willamette Street south to 32nd Avenue, proceed straight onto Donald where the road forks, and then follow Donald to its end on Fox Hollow (about 18 blocks), when you then turn right and travel just over 2 miles to the Center.
The Cascades Raptor website lists its resident birds of prey, including bald and golden eagles, osprey, turkey vultures and twelve different species of owls. The Center is on summer hours until October, and is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Handler talks are offered on both weekend days, at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
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