Summit trails and waterfalls! I’ve got a full day’s worth of outdoor adventures to share, all within just over an hour from Eugene that will have you believing in Oregon’s magic. As a wheelchair user in love with nature, I am also happy to report that all activities in this itinerary meet my approval for wheelchair accessibility – so let’s get out there!
Every memorable day starts with a breakfast that gets you excited and will keep you fueled. With Eugene as our homebase, we stopped in at Coffee Plant Roaster where I devoured an avocado toast of my dreams. I mean, this toast was a stacked, knife-and-fork kind of business. Paired with their house made chai tea latte, I was warmed up and ready to push on (literally).
After a short 20-minute drive from breakfast, we arrived at Mt Pisgah, where I was about to journey off on one of my most favorite hikes to date. Mt Pisgah offers seven miles of family friendly trails, including portions that are designated as barrier-free and improved for wheelchair access. Prior to our visit I learned that Mount Pisgah Arboretum had partnered with the nonprofit organization David’s Chair, to bring not one, but TWO all-terrain track chairs to its park.
I reserved a chair by filling out a quick form online ahead of time so that a friendly staff member was able to meet us upon arrival and ensure I was comfortable with the chair’s controls. I loved to hear that the Arboretum has a group of adventurers that visit weekly to use the track chairs and note the areas that are doable throughout the property. The information they’ve collected has been neatly laid out in an easy-to-follow map, which is even available online. This is the kind of initiative I sure do appreciate as a wheelchair user!
Learning that a very large portion of Mt Pisgah’s trail system was deemed as acceptable for use with the track chair, we took off to explore! Up hills, along the riverbank, and through forested trails lined by Oregon ash, Douglas fir and incense cedar, I moved freely along, feeling the peaceful beauty surrounding me. For a brief moment we even caught a glimpse of a deer before it dashed off into the thicker woods. I noticed benches scattered throughout the park, allowing non-wheelchair users to also slow down and stop for a rest and really take in the sights and sounds. After a good two hours we finally rolled our way back to our vehicle, which we were able to park in an accessible spot right at the entrance to a series of trail heads. Close to our car was an accessible bathroom which I took advantage of before we were on our way for more adventure.
We headed another 45 minutes southeast for a chance to experience the magnificent Salt Creek Falls. Along the way, we stopped at Lowell Covered Bridge, which features accessible parking, picnic tables, and a ramped pathway providing fabulous views of Dexter Lake. The bridge itself serves as a pedestrian access interpretive center, which was closed during our visit, but we still enjoyed a leisurely stroll by the water under the sun, while watching a family fish nearby. In the small town of Oakridge we stopped to share a plate at Miguel’s Tacos. Unassuming from the outside, you can most definitely still expect fresh, homemade Mexican eats and welcoming friendly service. My chicken taco with a made-from-scratch tortilla was everything I wanted.
Cruising along up into the Cascade Mountains, I dug my sweater out of my backpack as I watched the outdoor temperature drop with every winding bend in the road. Salt Creek Falls is a fantastic option as a wheelchair user, because you get maximum viewing pleasure with little effort. The entrance to the waterfall is clearly marked on the highway, and you’ll pull off into a parking lot with accessible spots. From there, the path is short, smooth and flat, and will bring you to a fantastic viewing platform where you’ll want to pause forever to marvel at Oregon’s second largest single drop waterfall. It was a fantastic feeling to be so close to something so powerful yet calming. Photos will never do it justice!
On the way back to Eugene, we stopped for a snack at 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse in Oakridge. Though there was ample space to move around in the charming inside of the pub, we opted for an outdoor picnic bench to make the most of the temperate fall weather. While the bathroom here is large, the entry is narrow with a 2-3 inch step to navigate. Back outside, wander just a minute down the sidewalk and across the street to snap a pic next to the ‘Oregon is Magic’ wall mural – I guarantee by now, after a day like this, you too will be feeling this statement!
Kristin is a passionate disability advocate, world traveler and Speech-Language Pathologist. When not working, Kristin is off exploring the globe and as a full time wheelchair-user has made tracks in 50 countries and six continents. Kristin uses her social media platform to share tips and itineraries for travelers with and without disabilities. She aims to help connect all people, regardless of ability, to our earth’s natural beauty and wonders. Kristin enjoys collaborating with the travel and tourism industry to improve accessibility and inclusion. Kristin was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where she currently lives with her husband and their cat.
