Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The Leslie Gulch Tuffs are made of rhyolite ash and the result of a series of volcanic eruptions.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The first eruption came 15 millions years ago. Many of these eruptions are from the Mahogany Mountain caldera.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The second eruption came 100,000 years ago, with eruptions from the Three Fingers caldera.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
Millions of years of sediment solidification and erosion has transformed the ash into the jagged rocky pillars you see today.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The "honeycombed" formations are the signature geology of this rock.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The tiny caverns that coat the tuffs have been carved out of the rock overtime.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
These cliffs were once populated by Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
After years of unsuccessful attempts to reintrodouce Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, non-native California bighorn sheep were introduced.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
In 1965, 17 California bighorn sheep were released in Leslie Gulch.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
Over the past 54 years, the herd has expanded to over 200 animals.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The growth of this population exemplifies the success of the introduction of California bighorn sheep in Oregon.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, bobcats and coyotes also populate the area.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
Berries from a juniper tree. The area supports some rare plant species, which are supported by the region's unique soil.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
Due to the uniqueness of this region, the gulch is part of the 11,000 acre Leslie Gulch Area of Environmental Concern.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
Backcountry camping is not permitted within the area of environmental concern, but the nearby Slocum Creek Campground provides an opportunity for overnight trips.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The 2 mile Upper Leslie Gulch Trail allows visitors to experience this intriguing geology, flora and fauna.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
As you work your way through the hike trail conditions become less maintained.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
By the end the trail appears as more of an eroded creek than a trail.
Sam Owens
Photo Date: 
10/03/2019
The trail eventually becomes inaccessible as the creek tapers off into a narrow slot canyon.