Hikers hunt for ornaments

(NOVEMBER 14, 2024) Do you like hiking? Do you like finding surprises? You can do both things in Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt.

• The Willamette Valley is the area between the Oregon Coast Range mountains and the Cascade Range mountains.  A "range" is a line of mountains. The Willamette River is in this valley. There are also the Willamette National Forest and the Umpqua National Forest.

• An ornament is a decoration. Many people put ornaments on their Christmas trees.

• A hunt is looking for something.

Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt is a fun contest. People play from November 15 to December 25, 2024. 200 wooden ornaments are hidden in the forests. The ornaments are along 24 trails. If you find one, you can keep it. You can also win a bigger prize.

Here are some places to look for ornaments:

• Cottage Grove area - Don't miss Brice Creek Falls. The water drops 65 feet in two levels!

• McKenzie River region - This area has waterfalls and the McKenzie River.

• Sweet Home area - This area has beautiful views of the river, more waterfalls, and more.

• Cascade Range - This area has quiet creeks, forests, and mountaintops.

• Detroit Ranger District - This area is near Detroit Lake.

If you go, be ready for winter!

• Wear layers of clothing to stay warm

• Check the weather

• Check the roads

• Stay on trails

• Tell someone where you go