2024 Ornament Hunt FAQ

As you prepare for the 2024 Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt, you may have questions about how the event works — how to find ornaments, how to register for the grand prize, and how to stay safe in the woods. We've put together an FAQ to address these common inquires, but please email us if we can be of further assistance.

1. Where will ornaments be hidden in 2024?

Volunteers have hidden ornaments on five ranger districts in the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest. Here are each of the five ranger districts, along with trails where you might find an ornament:

Detroit Ranger District:

• Stahlman Point Trail #3449: Walk through a young Douglas fir forest while enjoying views of Detroit Lake—all before ending at the site of a former fire lookout, where you’ll enjoy views of Mount Jefferson.

• Tumble Creek Trail #3380: Along the 5.3-mile path (which climbs 3,000 feet along the way), hikers enjoy views of Mount Jefferson, Detroit Lake, and the wider Tumble Creek Canyon.

• Detroit Flats Day-Use Area: Enjoy an easy walk along the park’s nature trail, which boasts picnic tables and excellent views of Detroit Lake. (accessibility information)

• Upper Arm Day-Use Area: The wheelchair-accessible trail heads into a cove along the Breitenbush Arm of Detroit Lake—where you'll enjoy views of the broader lake and nearby hillsides. (accessibility information)

McKenzie River Ranger District:

• Waterfalls Loop Trail #3503: Enjoy views of Sahalie and Koosah Falls while walking through an old-growth conifer forest along the magical McKenzie River.
• McKenzie River Trail #3507: Hike through the southern portion of this trail—below Frissell Boat Launch—in the midst of an old-growth forest and along the raging river.
• McKenzie River Trail: Follow the trail's namesake river through an old-growth forest of Douglas-fir and western red cedar. Ornaments will be hidden between Tamolitch (Blue Pool) and Sahalie Falls #3507.
• King-Castle Trail #4326: Cross several streams and enjoy the spectacle of a towering old-growth forest on this quiet trail.

Sweet Home Ranger District:

• Gordon Lakes Trail #3386: Head through a diverse forest of hemlock and Douglas-fir before descending quickly to the two Gordon Lakes.
• Cascadia Day-Use Area and Trail #4171: Follow this mellow, 0.4-mile trail along the South Fork of the Santiam River—with pleasant views of the historic Short Covered Bridge. (accessibility info: trailhead | loop hike)
• Santiam Wagon Road: Mountain House Section: Follow the most intact piece of the historic Santiam Wagon Road, with trips through pockets of old-growth forest and crossings of Elk Creek.
• House Rock Trail #3406: Cross the South Santiam River on a footbridge, and enjoy views of the 40-foot-tall House Rock Falls.
• Yukwah Nature Trail #3421: The wheelchair-accessible trail offers excellent views of the South Santiam River in the heart of a verdant forest.
• Walton Ranch Interpretive Trail #4170: Follow the wheelchair-accessible path across Trout Creek and enjoy two viewing platforms—one that shows off the Walton Ranch site and the other showcasing a scenic meadow where elk occasionally congregate in winter.

Middle Fork Ranger District:

• North Fork Trail #3666 (Segment 1): The mellow trail follows the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River (between the Office Covered Bridge in Westfir and Forest Road 1910), with gently sloping hikes through Douglas fir and western hemlock.
• Salmon Creek Trail #4365: Enjoy views of the namesake creek along this path, which begins in the heart of Oakridge. A parking area is at the intersection of Salmon Creek Road and Flat Creek Road, just east of Oakridge.
• Greenwaters Trail #4250: This wheelchair-accessible, 1.1-mile trail heads through stands of old-growth Douglas fir and offers pleasant views of the Middle Fork Willamette River.
• Larison Rock Trail #3607: The steep, four-mile (round-trip) path passes through a forest of Douglas fir and western hemlock—and, from its namesake crag, offers great views of the Oakridge area.
• Hardesty Trail #3469: The steep, 10-mile (round-trip) trail dates back to 1910, making it one of the oldest hiking trails in the region, and passes the concrete pillars that once propped up a fire lookout.
• Dead Mountain Trail #3566: This steep trail measures 10 miles (round-trip) and gains more than 2,500 feet along the way. Enjoy views of open meadows, the Salmon Creek Valley below, and (from the summit) the community of Oakridge. Hikers can start from the lower trailhead along Salmon Creek Road or the upper trailhead near the summit of Dead Mountain.
• Alpine Trail #3450: The nine-mile (round-trip) trail gains about 1,600 feet while climbing through a stately forest broken up by the occasional meadow. Ornaments along this trail will be hidden below the Forest Road 1910-Forest Road 683 access point; start from Trailhead #3 or the Kate's Cut-In Trailhead.
• Wren Loop: This wheelchair-accessible route is accessed from the Middle Fork Ranger Station in Westfir.

Cottage Grove Ranger District:

• Brice Creek Trail #1403: Head upstream from the Cedar Creek Campground, through a scenic canyon, and enjoy excellent creek views.

• Upper Trestle Creek Trail #1403D: The highlight of the lush trail is the chance to walk behind the upper portion of the 65-foot, two-tiered Brice Creek Falls in the midst of a green forest.

2. I found an ornament on one of the trails; how do I register for a prize?

Congratulations! Visit our registration page, and fill out the form in its entirety by Dec. 25, 2024 — and you will be registered to win our grand prize. This year's grand prize includes a weekend getaway to the Willamette Valley and a tasting at 4 Spirits Distillery in Corvallis.

3. Can I find an ornament on any trail in the Willamette and Umpqua National Forests?

No. We have chosen 24 specific trails where ornaments will be placed; visit our Ornament Hunt homepage for the complete list of where to find ornaments this winter.

4. Can I register more than one ornament?

Please only take one ornament per household. If you find multiple ornaments on the same trail, we ask that you only take one and leave the remaining for other potential finders. Duplicate entries will be discarded when selecting a grand-prize winner.

Note: We ask that more advanced hikers please leave ornaments that can be found within the first mile of the trailhead for less experienced hikers, families with children and those with a mobility or physical disability.

5. What happens to the ornaments that are not picked up by the end of the hunt?

We absolutely support the Leave No Trace principles. Every ornament is recorded with its GPS coordinates and a location description. If an ornament isn't found, our Forest Service volunteers will pick up all remaining ornaments by January 15, 2025.

6. I am looking for ADA accessible trails or family-friendly hikes. What trails should I try? 

We have included several ADA-accessible trails this year, including: 

• Detroit Flats Day Use Area
• Upper Arm Day Use Area
• Yukwah Nature Trail #3421
• Walton Ranch Interpretive Trail #4170
• Greenwaters Trail #4250
• Wren Loop (accessible from the Willamette National Forest's Middle Fork Ranger Station)

7. When will I know if I won a prize?

The prize winner will be notified via email by January 15, 2025. If a prize is not claimed via email or phone call within 48 hours of notification, another winner will be chosen.

8. I went on a trail that said it had ornaments, and I didn’t find any; how can I find one?

We try to keep our website updated with the latest information, but other hikers might have picked up ornaments — and either haven't registered their finds or decided not to register at all. We may share hints about remaining ornaments — such as the trails and specific locations — via Instagram and Facebook as the hunt continues.

This year, we're also also offering ornaments for purchase at participating ranger stations throughout the Willamette National Forest. Learn more about purchasing an ornament. Note that purchased ornaments cannot be registered in the contest for this year's grand prize.

9. Where do I find trail safety tips and/or closure information?

Check out these resources to make the most of your trip:

• The Willamette National Forest's page on winter safety shares tips what to pack and how to prepare for your trip. 
• The Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck tool provides real-time webcams and updates on road closures, delays, and weather.
• The National Weather Service website provides updated, in-depth forecasts for where you're visiting.
• Check your desired trail pages on the Willamette National Forest website, which will include closure updates and other helpful information.

Note that all trails selected for the ornament hunt are in non-wilderness areas and were open when the event began in mid-November.

10. What if my question isn't answered here?

If you have any other questions, email augusta@willamettevalley.org—and a team member will be happy to help as quickly as possible.