WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 APPEAL TRIBUNE ● 5A PHOTO COURTESY OF SALEM AREA TRAIL ALLIANCE Pink paw prints mark the route from 214 Trailhead to the Catamount Trail at Silver Falls State Park. ZACH URNESS/STATESMAN JOURNAL Volunteers with the Salem Area Trail Alliance put countless hours into creating the new Catamount Trail at Silver Falls State Park. Silver Falls ZACH URNESS/STATESMAN JOURNAL Continued from Page 1A dense forest and huge, old-growth trees.” Catamount Trail is the first step in creating a larger biking network, said Silver Falls park ranger Steve Hernandez, who helped shepherd the project to completion. Plans for another 3 miles of trail, including links to Shellburg Falls area, are already in the works. A pump track and improved trailhead might also be in the future. “State parks is trying to attract new user groups, and this project is a good example of a way to do that,” Hernandez said. “There’s a lot of support for the next phase of this project.” It’s not just new users that make projects like the Catamount Trail at- tractive to park officials. Because the work is completed almost entire- ly by volunteers, who do everything from digging Park Continued from Page 1A County. The park is 22 acres and home to picnic tables, fishing opportunity and hiking trails. Swimming and cliff diving are the most popular activities on hot summer days. Directions: From Highway 22, turn left onto Little North Fork Road for 14 miles to the park on the right. Minto This often-overlooked park of 73 acres features a longer-than-expected col- lection of trails that lead to hidden spots along the North Santiam River. A gravel access road leads to a nice picnic spot and view of the river, but stop at one of the multiple trailheads to wonder through dense riparian forest in search of river access where spawning salmon can be found in au- tumn. The park is most popu- lar with anglers. Directions: Highway 22 east, turn right at a sign for Minto Park onto a gravel access road. Niagara Dense forest and the canyon scenery of the North Santiam River highlights this beautiful 29-acre park just off Highway 22. Short trails, interpreta- tive signs and views of the river make this a popular place for road-weary travelers to stop. Picnic tables, trails, a restroom and drinking fountain are found at the park. Directions: Highway 22 east, turn right at a sign for Niagara Park. Bear Creek Campground The only campground in the Marion County Parks system is entering its third year. A 30-minute drive from Salem, the 15-site campground is near popu- lar recreation spots in the Kurt Haas, a Salem Area Trail Alliance board member, moves gravel to one of the bridge sites on the Catamount Trail. PHOTO COURTESY OF OREGON PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT This rough map shows the new Catamount Trail, a mountain-biking specific trail. trail to operating heavy machinery, the park saves money. Indeed, Dayton and SATA turned the vol- unteer energy into a so- phisticated trail-creating force. At weekend work par- ties, Dayton established ground troops (volun- teers raking dirt, hauling stones and clipping roots), quartermaster corps (supplying food and drinks for after-work par- ties) and a special forces team (heavy machinery, power tools and big Opal Creek Scenic Recre- ation Area such as Three Pools, Henline Falls and Salmon Falls. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table, one is set up for large RVs, three are walk-in or bike-in sites and three are handi- cap accessible. Most of the sites have large enough parking pads for a camper. Cost is $14 per night — each extra vehicle is $5 — and amenities include a restroom, potable water and a trail system down to a river that's great for swimming, fishing and hiking. Directions: Highway 22 east, turn left onto Lit- tle North Fork Road to park on left. Aumsville Ponds The 77-acre park, com- posed of wetlands and up- land buffer within the and planks and installed them at remote sites. “I’m still kind of in awe they managed to pull that off,” Hernandez said. The result of that ener- gy is a new trail — a place to mountain bike without the fear of slamming into horseback riders — three years from Powell and Prough’s idea. “I have a lot of grati- tude for all the people’s who’ve committed so much time and energy to this,” Powell said. “It took a village, and it’s a gor- geous trail.” trucks). They leveraged busi- ness support as well. REI provided a $10,000 grant, LifeSource Natural Food provided food and Seven Brides Brewing offered up beer for volunteer par- ties. When funds ran short, volunteers used their own materials. “The best part is that we’re a big group of friends, so it never felt like work,” said Hurl, who volunteered not only time but heavy equipment from his construction job as well. “Everyone was excited to be outdoors do- ing something like this.” That organization was important during the final push, when the team built three bridges in a short time. They cut all the pieces in advance, used the Northwest Youth Corps to haul huge beams Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, pho- tographer and videogra- pher in Oregon for eight years. He is the author of the book “Hiking South- ern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJour nal.com or (503) 399-6801. Mill Creek Watershed, is highlighted by a 0.75-mile trail and fishing opportu- nities. The trial was complet- ed in 2007 after the North- west Youth Core helped install bridges across the surrounding creeks. Red- legged frogs call the area home, along with numer- ous birds and wildlife. Dogs are not allowed. Directions: Take exit 9 off Highway 22. Follow First Street south, turn left onto Mill Creek Road and turn right onto Bishop Road SE. The park is on the right.