Opal Creek Insect Class

This past weekend the whole family made the trip down to Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center. This educational facility is a rejuvenated historic mining town at Jawbone Flats (44.8466, -122.2087) where Opal Creek and Battle Axe Creek come together to form the Little North Fork Santiam River right in the heart of a 35,000-acre old-growth forest protected as the Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area. We signed up for the Insects of Opal Creek Workshop, a class that attracted half a dozen families with kids including several boys all about Aki's age who formed a pack and had a great time all weekend.

Aki on the hike in showing off the grasshopper he just caught along the road.

Taka taking in the sounds and smells of the old-growth forest dozen off to sleep on the trail.

One of the best parts about the trip is the 3 mile hike in through the old-growth forest. Personal vehicles are not allowed along in past the gate but a gear truck hauls your bags in which makes it nice for families.

The kids learning about bugs that colonize logs and old tree stumps.

Jawbone Flats, the old mining camp now an environmental learning center.

Netting bugs in the meadow.

Aki showing mom and Taka what he found.

Pouncing on a grasshopper.

Everyone showing off their bugs.

In class learning the parts of insects.

Back in the lab studying insects.

On the second day we collected aquatic insects.

Taka got into the act too.

Aki with mom picking up a stonefly.

Everyone brought their best finds to an observation station along the river.

A highlight for Aki was the hike back out and a stop at the "Butt Slide" at this great swimming hole (44.8471, -122.2189) on the Little North Fork Santiam.

About to hit the pool at the bottom of the Butt Slide--not many 4 year olds out taking the plunge but Aki fired it up for two runs describing it as "a little bit fun and a little bit scary".