Bull of the Woods Wilderness

Infobox_protected_area | name = Bull of the Woods Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib

---

caption = Elk Lake Creek
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Oregon, USA
nearest_city = Detroit, Oregon
lat_degrees = 44
lat_minutes = 52
lat_seconds = 15
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 122
long_minutes = 06
long_seconds = 58
long_direction = W
area = convert|27427|acre|km2|0|sing=off
established = 1984
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = U.S. Forest ServiceThe Bull of the Woods Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Mount Hood and Willamette National Forests in the northwestern Cascades of Oregon, United States. It was created in 1984 and consists of convert|27427|acre|km2|0—much of it prime low-elevation old growth forest, also with about a dozen lakes of at least one acre and many large creeks and streams. Adjacent areas, including Opal Creek Wilderness to the west, create a pristine area of nearly convert|84|sqmi|km2|0. There are at least ten trailheads and convert|60|mi|km|0 of trail. [ cite web
url = http://members.aol.com/besthikes/botw.html
title = Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area—Oregon's "Hidden Wilderness"
author = Randy L. Craig
accessdate = 2007-08-07 ] The name of the peak and thus the wilderness area comes from logging jargon in which the "bull of the woods" was the most experienced logging foreman in an operation. cite web
url = http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Bull%20of%20the%20Woods
title = Bull of the Woods Wilderness
publisher = The Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana
accessdate = 2007-08-07 ]

Topography

convert|5558|ft|m|0|sing=on tall Battle Ax summit is the highest point in the Wilderness. Among other tall peaks is convert|5523|ft|m|0|sing=on Bull of the Woods Mountain, from which the area derives its name. An abandoned fire lookout stands at the top of Bull of the Woods Mountain, from which views of the Cascades and the surrounding territory can be seen. The mountain slopes are quite steep, with lower inclines ranging from 30 to 60 degrees and upper inclines from 60 to 90 degrees. The wilderness contains the headwaters of the Collawash, Breitenbush, and Little North Santiam rivers.

Vegetation

The forest consists almost solely of coniferous species such as Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, and Western Red Cedar, but deciduous red alder is also prevalent along creeks. Pacific yew is also common in certain parts of the wilderness, and rhododendrons can be seen blooming profusely throughout many areas around early June. Bull of the Woods contains one of the last stands of old growth in western Oregon, and is home to the northern spotted owl. [ [http://www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?id=4181&PHPSESSID=23cfeb7c9 Bull of the Woods] - Public Lands Information Center]

Recreation

Primary recreational activities in Bull of the Woods include camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and soaking in the hot springs. It is possible to see relics of the 19th century gold rush, such as deserted mine shafts and old mining equipment. Various trails lead to a fire lookout at the peak of Bull of the Woods Mountain, with fantastic views of the Wilderness.

Gallery

References

See also

* List of Oregon Wildernesses
* List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
* List of old growth forests
* Wilderness Act

External links

* [http://www.nwhiker.com/MHNFHike53.html NW Hiker] Battle Ax Mtn Loop Hike
* [http://www.nwhiker.com/MHNFHike50.html NW Hiker] Bull of the Woods Mtn and Pansy Lake Loop Hike