Ornaments are hidden on trails throughout the Willamette National Forest until Jan. 1. (Courtesy Willamette Valley Visitors Association)
Want to join a scavenger hunt? Look no further than Salem’s backyard.
Until the new year, hikers will have a chance to find droplet-shaped glass ornaments hidden along trails in Willamette National Forest.
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association came up with the idea last year after the Willamette National Forest was chosen to provide the Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. Becca Barnhart, marketing manager for the Willamette Valley Visitors Association, said her team came up with the ornament hunt to coincide with the tree search, as people were geotagging trees in the forest to nominate them.
Barnhart said it encourages residents to get outside and explore the area’s trails, especially during the rainy season.
“It’s an opportunity for people to go out and look at the waterfalls which are flowing much more majestically now,” she said.
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Barnhart said the ornament hunt will continue next holiday season, and is hoping the ornaments will become a yearly tradition for families.
“What’s exciting is getting a tradition started,” she said.
This year, ornaments are hidden in the Detroit, Middle Fork, Sweet Home and McKenzie River Ranger Districts and are all visible from the trails listed online.
As of Wednesday, 50 of the 200 ornaments have been claimed.
When the contest closes, the Forest Service will collect the remaining ornaments. Barnhart said they didn’t have that problem last year, because all 200 ornaments were found.
Next week, she said the visitor’s association is doing an inventory of the claimed ornaments and will update the trails listings. She said she might even provide a few hints by Dec. 20.
Those who find an ornament can register to win one of three grand prizes that include dinner, an activity and an overnight stay in the Willamette Valley.
Barnhart said hikers should head to the nearest ranger district to look at the weather before hitting the trials.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
