Editor’s note: Morris and Lynn Walker are working to make “Legends and Stories from the Heart of the Valley,“ a documentary film about Corvallis’ first 150 years. Each Saturday, they share tidbits from Corvallis that they’ve uncovered during their work. You can contact the Walkers at heartofthevalley@

yahoo.com.

By Morris and Lynn Walker
Columnists

Millions of years ago a massive collision occurred between the western edge of the continental shelf and the Pacific sea floor. The Coast Range was formed, and Tscha’tamanwis was born.

Before natives lived off the land or historians roamed the valley, before the first camas bud broke through crusted snow, the monolithic Marys Peak reigned over the valley.

There is an old map that was created by French-

Canadian explorers; over the area that is now Marys Peak, it merely says, “Saint Marie.” The assumption has been that this name, over the years, evolved into the name Marys Peak.

It is also said that the Kalapuya people called her Tscha’tamanwis (Chintimini — pronounced ChaTEEmanwi). For thousands of years she provided fresh water, herbs, game and sustenance to the tribes that called her “the place of spirit power.”

Here in the heart of the valley this shapely peak has bonded us together in ways that words cannot fully describe. She offers us a skyline that fills us with inspiration. On a clear day, from the crown of Marys Peak, one has an expansive view of the landscape from Washington to California and the Pacific Ocean.

Trails on the mountain were first developed in the 1930s. Thousands have climbed her to hike, picnic, bird-watch, get married, play with their kids, stargaze, cycle, cross-country ski, meditate or fall in love with someone in particular or the Willamette Valley in general.

Whatever your reason for ascending the 4,087 feet to the top, there is no doubt you have reached a state of higher consciousness, literally.

The ancient forest is filled with flora and fauna. Marys Peak has been designated as a scenic botanical area. The area features magnificent trees: Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, ponderosa pine, Noble fir, Oregon white oak, and Western red cedar. An abundance of wildlife lives deep within her forest. Wonderful wildflower displays have always thrilled visitors to the peak.

Through the years many individuals and groups have protected her and kept her accessible to all of us. The list includes the Siuslaw National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, the Marys Peak Group of the Sierra Club, and Friends of Marys Peak. Thank you!

This perpetual place of beauty is calling gently to us to investigate our inner lives and bring out the best in ourselves and our community. She is sustainability personified! The native peoples left no trace on her at all. We must do the same. Go up to the mountain — reach out and touch the stars and laugh with the wildflowers and find rest and be rejuvenated, but leave no footprints. It is well for us to stay deeply in touch with nature; a glance to the west is a reminder that Saint Marie (Chintimini) is always with us.

Sentinel for untold years!

Silent peak that, tow’ring, hears

The mystic music of the spheres,

Chintimini

— B.F. Irvine