Section 36 Loop - McDonald Experimental Forest - Benton County, Oregon
Posted by: 
ddtfamily
N 44° 39.428 W 123° 14.115
10T E 481348 N 4944889
An interesting hike through Oregon State University's McDonald Experimental Forest
Waymark Code: WMMP79
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 10/18/2014
Views: 1
The McDonald Experimental Forest, located about 7 miles north of Corvallis, provides some of the best hiking opportunities in the mid-Willamette Valley. The "experimental" in the area's title is due to the decades-long research work conducted here by Oregon State University. On your hike you will see examples of various trees imported from Northern California, New Mexico and other areas.
The main coordinates mark the beginning of our 4 1/2-mile hike at a parking area where an orange gate prevents vehicle traffic from entry. To get here, drive up Arboretum Road, turn onto Peavy Arboretum Road, and keep left at the next two intersections. Take a few minutes to read the information boards here and, if you like, to take an area map.
You'll walk past the gate and hike up the road about 1/3 of a mile to the Forestry Club cabin (Picture Location #1 coordinates). To the left of the cabin you will see a wooden bridge and this marks the beginning of the Section 36 Loop Trail, creatively named due to it's presence in Section 36 of this Township & Range. As you hike, you will need to take note of the many "36" signs as there are junctions with roads and other trails that cross it. The trail is well-marked but lack of attention could result in an unplanned detour.
From this point, the trail is mostly uphill for the next mile, the steepest ascent of the trek as you ultimately gain about 800 feet of elevation over the course of the trail. Your next picture location is at the "Reed Bench," a memorial wooden bench that sits in front of an interesting tree.
About 1.5 miles into the hike you will reach a junction with the Powder House Trail. This trail leads over another ridge and provides great viewpoints and passes by an shed known as the "Cap House." You can optionally take this route, adding about a mile to your hike, as it rejoins the Section 36 loop further ahead.
The third picture coordinates are at a wooden bridge that crosses over a very small trickle of a stream (at least it was small in September). I think you will enjoy the sounds of the water and the sights of the trees, hills and sky overhead.
At about 3.5 miles you will approach Cronemiller Lake, and small lake that features a dock, however swimming and fishing are not allowed. Keep right on the trail and you will skirt the western and southern sides of the lake, ultimately ending up back at the Forest Cabin and completing the Section 36 loop.