Depending on which legend you’re inclined to believe $8 mountain got its name from the discovery of a gold nugget worth $8. Or, you could go with the tale of the man who wore out an $8 pair of boots walking around the base of the mountain – as a bet. Personally, I like the legend of the $8 boots.
$8 Mountain & The Illinois River
Historically, $8 mountain was the setting of battle in the Rogue River Indian War, which I didn’t even know there was such a thing so look at me I learned something new on this little outing.
$8 Mountain (at least I think it is). Apparently, I had a smudge on my camera lens, bah!
Wanting to find a trail for a hike along the river, we continued past $8 Mountain and followed the dirt road which ran alongside the Illinois River, this was our first siting of the river and it didn’t disappoint.
The Illinois River
A Good Hike & Pretty Pictures
I’m not someone who will trek off into the wilderness for days at a time, sleep in a tent and pee in the woods, (I leave those adventures to our son) but I do absolutely love to be outside taking in mother nature at her finest. I love a good hike, it rejuvenates the soul to take in such beautiful things. It reminds me of what life is supposed to be all about – that corny old saying of, “stop and smell the roses.”
We found a trail marked Little Falls Loop so off we went!
Making our way down to the water’s edge.
Wildflowers were everywhere!
A pretty spot above Little Falls, the water was like glass, so graceful!
Little Falls
Hiking alongside the river, above the falls. STUPID smudge on the lens!
Seemingly growing out of the rocks.
The delicate flower against the hardness of the soil and rock. A picture of contrast!
$8 Mountain and the Illinois River is the next post in our series featuring Southern Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
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love the flowers in the rock!
It’s quite something, isn’t it? It always amazes me when I see something work so hard to grow and survive! Thanks for reading!
We love your pictures.
And we found that after a couple of margaritas the smudges went away.
Another good reason to drink margaritas, ya gotta love it. Thanks for reading!
So beautiful. I totally decompressed looking at the pictures. I benefited from your hike too Patti:)
I loved the one with the wild flowers, nature is so amazing. Beauty grows all around us, even in places you would think impossible.
I’m glad Tracey! I just love getting outside and taking in the natural surroundings, things such as flowers growing out of a rock! Thanks for reading!
Beautiful hike. I’ve never heard of $8 mountain before. Someday I’d like to spend a year just hiking around Oregon. I don’t even think that would be enough time to fit it all in!
Abi and I have been enjoying our explorations. We told ourselves this was the year we were going to see as much as we could. Have you ever seen Eastern Oregon? It is completely different than Western Oregon, flat, desert, nothing for miles and miles. Really something to see. Thanks for reading!
Looks like quite a lovely hike!
It would have probably looked even prettier had I not had that annoying smudge on my camera lens! We did have a great little adventure though. Thanks so much for reading, Talon!
When I first saw “Illinois River” in the title, I thought it was about the one actually in the state of Illinois that I’ve been on. 🙂 Anyway, this river looks lovely and like a great place for a hike. Love the legends about $8 Mountain — I like the boots story, too.
Nope, the Illinois river in southern Oregon… who knew?! It is a very pretty area. Thanks so much for reading, Cathy!