Rogue Group - Outings
Welcome to the Rogue Group GET OUTDOORS! Information
Overnight backpacking trip.
Photo by A. Collinet, Curry Section
Sierra Club Outings were founded by John Muir in 1901. He believed that the best way to convince people to save valuable wild areas was to let them experience the awesome beauty of nature that needs defending.
The Rogue Group of the Sierra Club includes all of southwestern Oregon, from the Coast, across the Siskiyou and Cascade mountains to Lake County. The Group office is located in Ashland, OR.
We are very proud of our Outings Program and our Volunteer Outings Leaders. Our Outings Group is very active, offering as many as 50 outings year round, for all different abilities.
SCROLL DOWN TO THE CURRENT OUTINGS LIST - IF YOU ARE NEW TO OUR OUTINGS, PLEASE READ ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE ABOUT OUR OUTINGS.
If you would like more information on how to become a Rogue Group Outings Leader please contact our Outings Chair Darin Banner darin@banneradvisors.com or tel. (541) 531-7623
OVERNIGHT BACKPACKING ALERT!! WE NOW OFFER YEAR-ROUND ADVENTURES!!
WE NOW HAVE FOUR
OVERNIGHT HIKE LEADERS. THEY ARE LISTED AT THE END OF THE CURRENT OUTINGS. PELASE CONTACT ANY OF
THEM IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT OUR OVERNIGHT OUTINGS.
Our goal is to schedule an overnight backpacking trip each month. See the Monthly Outings list below for details of these exciting year-’round adventures!
We now have FOUR very experienced and highly qualified Overnight Hike Leaders. Their goal is to offer backpacking opportunities year ’round and to teach a variety of backpacking skills to those that might be new to this activity and to the experienced backpackers that want to learn more. Don’t have a tent?? that’s OK - YOU CAN USE ONE OF OUR BRAND NEW ALL-WEATHER LIGHTWEIGHT AND WATERPROOF SHELTERS. Contact our Outings Chair for more information.
Scroll down to the Overnight Backpacking Additional Information section following the Current Outings Listing.
Outings General Information
You don’t have to be a member to participate!
Arrive with adequate food, water and clothing. If in doubt about your ability to complete a hike, please consult with the leader before the trip.
Field guides and humor are welcome.
Please leave your pet at home unless otherwise specified or with prior approval from the leader. Entertainment devices such as mp3 players, ipods and "walkman" are discouraged. Firearms are prohibited.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Carpooling is encouraged. Riders traditionally share expenses with drivers depending on vehicle and number of riders and distance to trailhead.
All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver.
If you would like to read the liability waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, refer to: Outings Form or contact the Outings department at (415) 977-5630 for a printed version.
CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. The RGSC does not charge for its Outings.
CURRENT OUTINGS LIST - area code is 541
Please contact the Outings Leader for start time and meeting place if not listed. Contact the hike leader before 9:00 P.M. prior to the day of the Outing. Overnight Backpacking trips have their own sign-up cut-off time.
Our list will sometimes include hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, weather permitting.
NOVEMBER OUTINGS
Saturday November 7 - Pilot Rock, 10 Miles Moderate, Carol Walker 488-8517 and Carol Ingelson 245-6380
Saturday November 14 - Buck Rock with Tunnels, 7 Miles Moderate, Cathy Edwards 210-0204
Saturday November 21 - Lava Beds National Monument, Historical Tour and Lunch, 5 to 6 Miles Easy to Moderate, Contact Mel Ivey at 541-798-1000 or email mel.ivey@gmail.com
We will visit one cave and hike on undulating terrain on trails in the Monument, which has fascinating geography and was the scene of some of the last skirmishes and battles between Native Americans (the Modocs) and U.S. forces in the 1870s. The monument is located in north central California 2 hours east of Ashland, via highways 66, 140 and 39.
Join us at 10:30am at Captain Jack's Stronghold Trail, or meet in advance between 9am and 10am at Mel Ivey's in Merrill for caffeine and to combine vehicles. Each vehicle entering the monument is charged $10 by the monument staff, to defray expenses of site administration.
Weather can be variable, so dress in layers for warm to cold conditions. More information about the Lava Beds can be found at http://www.nps.gov/labeand and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava_Beds_National_Monument
November 28 - Kerby Peak, 7 miles strenuous, Joel Peterson email joelpeterson@charter.net or (541) 955-9224
The Rogue Group Sierra Club is pleased to be a contributor to the Rogue River Walk in Gold Beach.
This is a delightful 6 mile trail running along the south bank of the mighty Rogue River, all the way to Lobster Creek Bridge. Thanks to our Outings Leader Al Collinet and many other helping hands, this trail is no longer just a dream - it is a reality! Download a PDF copy of the "Rogue River Walk Brochure and Map" now.
OVERNIGHT BACKPACKING TRIPS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
It doesn't have to be the old 35-40 pound backpack anymore - take a look at some suggestions by experienced backpackers (below) - it's time to think about some newer gear and going light. You can be comfortable with a 20-25 pound pack with some easy adjustments, and it's not hard to get even lighter. There are lots of books and websites full of information about how to go light. Darin Banner, our Outings Chair, is an experienced "crazy light" backpacker - he's down to about 7 pounds. Give him a call or an email - he'd be happy to discuss the details with you.
Download Al Collinet’s PDF checklist of "Suggested Personal Backpacking Gear."
Download a PDF checklist of backpacking gear and food for 2-3 days, weighing about 20 pounds. This list was provided and updated by RGSC member Ken Deveney after he attended a National Sierra Club "Going Light" backpacking outing in 2005 "ULTRA LIGHT BACKPACKING GEAR."
If you would like to make a suggestion for a backpacking destination, please contact Rogue Group Overnight Hike Leaders:
Darin Banner darin@banneradvisors.com or tel. (541) 531-7623
Al Collinet dewbobal@verizon.net
Jerry Haynes gdhaynes04@msn.com
Joel Petterson joelpeterson@charter.net or tel. (541) 955-9224
photo A. Collinet, Curry Section
photo K. Biechler
Other Southern Oregon Outings Opportunities
Other outings and activities are announced in our monthly newsletter. To see all of the activities we have published for our area be sure to download the latest edition of our newsletter The Rogue Walker.
Links to Other Organizations with outings in our area:
The Southern Oregon Nordic Club
This is a great group for cross country skiing in Southern Oregon.
Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center
KS Wild is an advocate for the forests and wildlife of the Klamath and Rogue watersheds of northwest California and southwest Oregon. They offer many outings and activities in our area.
Siskiyou Project
Based near the rural community of Cave Junction, their primary purpose is to gain permanent protection for the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area. They offer many outings and acitivities in that area.
Siskiyou Field Institute
SFI invites you to join them in exploring the unique natural history of Southwestern Oregon and Northern California’s rugged Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains. Dedicated naturalists lead you in discovering the unique geology, flora and fauna of this region. There’s something for everyone: wildflower illustration, bird watching, rafting trips, youth camps, technical courses and more.
