Articles
Natural Environment · 20th July 2010
Whitey
SUMMER
Portland Landscapes (Tuesday, 29 June) Oregon’s largest city is home to some of the Northwest’s loveliest cultivated landscapes that combine both native and non-native plants to create elegantly civilized spaces. We’ll visit a variety of sites: The Garden of the Bishop’s Close, Lewis and Clark College, Riverview Cemetery, and Reed College. Walking on both pavement and mowed grass totals less than 2 miles over the course of the day.
Marble Mountain Wilderness (Thursday to Monday, 8-12 July) Just across the border into California is a wondrous place known to few Oregonians. From our campground along the peaceful Scott River, we drive daily to trailheads leading into the high country—which is reminiscent of Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains with its alpine lakes and splendid mountain vistas. Day hikes of 5-8 miles with maximum elevation gain of 2,000 feet.
Marys Peak (Sunday, 18 July) Although visible from the Eugene-Springfield area, this easily accessible peak is little-known to most of us. From the impressive conifer forests cloaking its lower flanks to the grasslands and groves of noble fir near its summit, it’s a nature lover’s delight. And the tiger lilies should be in bloom in mid-July! Day hike of 3 miles with elevation gain of 500 feet.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (Thursday to Monday, 29 July to 2 August) The May 1980 explosion of this volcano—yes, this year is its 30th anniversary!—has provided a superb outdoor laboratory for studying the effects of such disturbances on plant and animal communities. Our itinerary will include visits to the blast zone and Spirit Lake, as well as exploration of the Goat Marsh Research Natural Area, Ape Cave, and plenty of places the average visitor never gets to in a typical six-hour whirlwind tour of the area. Day hikes of 2-6 miles with maximum elevation gain of 1,000 feet.
(NEW!) The Joy of Natural Silence (Sunday, 15 August) Spend a mostly quiet day in a forested area of the Coast Range, discussing—in rather soft voices—the importance of natural silence, learning how and where in Oregon to find it, and then spending a couple of hours simply appreciating it on your own, or with your buddy. Caution: Your life may be immeasurably improved by participating in this class! To prevent lethargy or excessive napping, the day will include some limited physical activity—a maximum of 2 miles of walking, some of it off-trail.
(NEW!) Elkhorn Mountains (Thursday to Monday, 26-30 August) Except for the locals from Baker City, few Oregonians know about or visit this splendid little mountain range. With jagged peaks—some of them over 9,000 feet elevation—and many small lakes, the Elkhorns may remind the visitor of the Rocky Mountains or California’s Sierra. Our several day hikes will introduce us to a good sampling of what the range has to offer, from the pine-covered “lowlands” to tundra-like areas above treeline. Day hikes of 5-8 miles with maximum elevation gain of 1,500 feet.
FALL
(NEW!) Spring Chinook Day (Saturday, 25 September) This all-new version of the popular Salmon Day field class—which always took place in early November in the western Coast Range, where we looked for fall chinook salmon spawning—will take us to the West Cascades at peak spawning time for Willamette basin spring chinook salmon. During the course of the day, we’ll visit several wild sites to look for fish, as well as a salmon hatchery. Maximum of 2 miles of walking, with little elevation gain, and some of it off-trail.
Ochoco Autumn (Thursday to Sunday, 7-10 October) Visit the Ochoco Mountains of central Oregon just as the aspens, cottonwoods, and larches are turning to gold. We’ll hike among the huge ponderosa pines of Mill Creek Wilderness, visit Summit Prairie, and climb to the top of Lookout Mountain for a grand view of the Cascades volcanoes. Our last day will be spent at Crooked River National Grasslands. Day hikes of 3-6 miles with maximum elevation gain of 1,000 feet; lodging (at Prineville motel) and meals are extra.
TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS
1. Call Whitey at 541-684-8716 as soon as you know what class(es) you wish to sign up for, and you’ll be put on The Soft List. Voicemail operates 24 hours a day and picks up after the sixth ring.
2. Complete the attached registration form and send it to Whitey along with your check(s) within seven days of your phone call. You’ll be put on The Hard List and your place in each class will be secured. (If a class is already full, however, your check will be retained, in anticipation of a place opening up, and you will receive a telephone call to alert you that you are not yet on The Hard List.)
3. One month before the class begins, you’ll receive a letter requesting payment of any Supplemental Fee (for food, lodging, or gasoline surcharge) and asking that you complete and return the release form enclosed with the letter.
4. Two weeks before the class begins, you’ll receive detailed information about our meeting place, what to bring, food, etc.
Note: You may register at any time—and more than once—during the year. But to ensure that you secure a place in the class(es) you want, please register early.
Portland Landscapes (Tuesday, 29 June) Oregon’s largest city is home to some of the Northwest’s loveliest cultivated landscapes that combine both native and non-native plants to create elegantly civilized spaces. We’ll visit a variety of sites: The Garden of the Bishop’s Close, Lewis and Clark College, Riverview Cemetery, and Reed College. Walking on both pavement and mowed grass totals less than 2 miles over the course of the day.
Marble Mountain Wilderness (Thursday to Monday, 8-12 July) Just across the border into California is a wondrous place known to few Oregonians. From our campground along the peaceful Scott River, we drive daily to trailheads leading into the high country—which is reminiscent of Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains with its alpine lakes and splendid mountain vistas. Day hikes of 5-8 miles with maximum elevation gain of 2,000 feet.
Marys Peak (Sunday, 18 July) Although visible from the Eugene-Springfield area, this easily accessible peak is little-known to most of us. From the impressive conifer forests cloaking its lower flanks to the grasslands and groves of noble fir near its summit, it’s a nature lover’s delight. And the tiger lilies should be in bloom in mid-July! Day hike of 3 miles with elevation gain of 500 feet.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (Thursday to Monday, 29 July to 2 August) The May 1980 explosion of this volcano—yes, this year is its 30th anniversary!—has provided a superb outdoor laboratory for studying the effects of such disturbances on plant and animal communities. Our itinerary will include visits to the blast zone and Spirit Lake, as well as exploration of the Goat Marsh Research Natural Area, Ape Cave, and plenty of places the average visitor never gets to in a typical six-hour whirlwind tour of the area. Day hikes of 2-6 miles with maximum elevation gain of 1,000 feet.
(NEW!) The Joy of Natural Silence (Sunday, 15 August) Spend a mostly quiet day in a forested area of the Coast Range, discussing—in rather soft voices—the importance of natural silence, learning how and where in Oregon to find it, and then spending a couple of hours simply appreciating it on your own, or with your buddy. Caution: Your life may be immeasurably improved by participating in this class! To prevent lethargy or excessive napping, the day will include some limited physical activity—a maximum of 2 miles of walking, some of it off-trail.
(NEW!) Elkhorn Mountains (Thursday to Monday, 26-30 August) Except for the locals from Baker City, few Oregonians know about or visit this splendid little mountain range. With jagged peaks—some of them over 9,000 feet elevation—and many small lakes, the Elkhorns may remind the visitor of the Rocky Mountains or California’s Sierra. Our several day hikes will introduce us to a good sampling of what the range has to offer, from the pine-covered “lowlands” to tundra-like areas above treeline. Day hikes of 5-8 miles with maximum elevation gain of 1,500 feet.
FALL
(NEW!) Spring Chinook Day (Saturday, 25 September) This all-new version of the popular Salmon Day field class—which always took place in early November in the western Coast Range, where we looked for fall chinook salmon spawning—will take us to the West Cascades at peak spawning time for Willamette basin spring chinook salmon. During the course of the day, we’ll visit several wild sites to look for fish, as well as a salmon hatchery. Maximum of 2 miles of walking, with little elevation gain, and some of it off-trail.
Ochoco Autumn (Thursday to Sunday, 7-10 October) Visit the Ochoco Mountains of central Oregon just as the aspens, cottonwoods, and larches are turning to gold. We’ll hike among the huge ponderosa pines of Mill Creek Wilderness, visit Summit Prairie, and climb to the top of Lookout Mountain for a grand view of the Cascades volcanoes. Our last day will be spent at Crooked River National Grasslands. Day hikes of 3-6 miles with maximum elevation gain of 1,000 feet; lodging (at Prineville motel) and meals are extra.
TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS
1. Call Whitey at 541-684-8716 as soon as you know what class(es) you wish to sign up for, and you’ll be put on The Soft List. Voicemail operates 24 hours a day and picks up after the sixth ring.
2. Complete the attached registration form and send it to Whitey along with your check(s) within seven days of your phone call. You’ll be put on The Hard List and your place in each class will be secured. (If a class is already full, however, your check will be retained, in anticipation of a place opening up, and you will receive a telephone call to alert you that you are not yet on The Hard List.)
3. One month before the class begins, you’ll receive a letter requesting payment of any Supplemental Fee (for food, lodging, or gasoline surcharge) and asking that you complete and return the release form enclosed with the letter.
4. Two weeks before the class begins, you’ll receive detailed information about our meeting place, what to bring, food, etc.
Note: You may register at any time—and more than once—during the year. But to ensure that you secure a place in the class(es) you want, please register early.
Registration Form (RegistrationForm.doc)