Each year the Chemeketans offer a selection of backpacks to a wide variety of truly amazing destinations.
Many of these destinations are in Oregon, but we also venture to other places all over the western United States.
If you are an experienced backpacker, please join us by contacting the leader of a backpack that interests you
(see Schedule below). These trips vary in length and difficulty. The leader will help you determine if the trip
suits your skill and conditioning level. While we make every effort to provide accurate information about each
trip, weather and other factors may force changes to dates and trip routes. Most backpacks will have a limit of
6-12 participants.
If you are new to backpacking, or if it has been awhile since you have been out, consider attending the Beginner
Backpacking Class offered every spring. The class has two parts: (1) in May, a classroom show and tell of
gear
and backpacking food; and (2) in June, a weekend backpack trip to practice your new skills.
Whether a novice or an old hand, please join us for the Annual Backpackers Potluck in January.
The backpacks for the coming season are announced at the potluck. Then in the March issue of the
Bulletin,
detailed descriptions of the backpacks are published. These descriptions appear again in the Bulletin
two months prior to the scheduled trip.
You are not required to be a member of the Chemeketans to participate in backpacks, but we encourage you to become one.
If more people sign up for a backpack than the allowable limit, leaders may give preference to members. For more
information about
membership, contact
the Membership Secretary.
More info? Questions? Concerns? Contact the Backpacking Chair, Rick Cooper, at (503) 362-9719 or
cooperrm50@gmail.com.
| Date | Day | Activity | Leader |
|---|
| May 30 - Jun 4 | Tue-Sun | Olympic Coast North PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 503-362-9719. Driving RT: 622 mi. Trip RT: 24 mi. Elevation: 600 ft.
We will backpack a section of the Olympic Coast between the Quallyute River and Cape Alava. This trip is within Olympic National Park and is described by Douglas Lorain in 'Backpacking Washington’. The Olympic Coast is the longest stretch of wilderness coastline in the lower 48 states. It has spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. Expect seals, sea lions, otters and eagles. A proposed itinerary follows below, but please be aware, our actual itinerary may vary depending on the availability of permits for the proposed route.
We begin at Rialto Beach on the Quallyute River and hike north, spending our first night at Cedar Creek (8.8 miles). We camp two nights at Cedar Creek, exploring the area and making a day hike to Ozette Lake. On day three, we hike to Sand Point (8.5 miles) and spend one night there. On Day 4 we hike to Cape Alava, before heading inland to our exit trailhead at Ozette Lake (6.4 miles).
This trip is rated medium and the pace will be moderate. Total backpacking distance is 24 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain. While the mileage is short, and there is not much elevation gain, we will often be hiking on sand or rocky beaches that may be slippery. The weather may not be good, so be prepared for rain and wind. We will be four days on the trail with an additional travel day at each end.
Note that because of abundant and aggressively thieving raccoons, we are required to carry bear canister for food storage.
We will camp at the Mora Campground when not on the trail. Please contact leader at cooperrm50@gmail.com to sign up or for further information.
| Rick Cooper |
| Jun 15 - Jun 18 | Thu-Sun | Wild Rogue Wilderness Loop PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 541-752-0092. Driving RT: 410 mi. Trip RT: 25 mi. Elevation: 3800 ft.
The Siskiyou Mountain Club has recently cleared out some old trails to create a 25 mile loop in the heart of the Wild Rogue Wilderness that looks very interesting. We’ll do the recommended loop that starts at the Rogue River and ascends 2200 ft. and 5 mi. up Mule Creek on day 1, then another 1200 ft. and 4 mi. up on the morning of day 2, topping out at the Hanging Rock viewpoint. The rest of day 2 follows the ridge line above the river then descends the Clay Hill Trail most of the way back down to the river. Total for the day is 11 mi. dry. Day 3 and 4 follow the river back to the starting trailhead. There should be some great views and varied habitats along this loop. | Tim Taylor |
| Jun 23 - Jun 25 | Fri-Sun | Beginners' PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 503-362-9719. Driving RT: 116 mi. Trip RT: 14 mi. Elevation: 3140 ft.
This backpack is designed for those of you new to backpacking and for those of you who have backpacked, but not recently, and want to see if you really are interested in taking it up again. We will backpack a loop in the Bull of the Woods Wilderness just east of Salem. The hike distance is 14 miles with about 3140 feet of elevation gain. On Friday, after driving to the trailhead at Elk Lake, we hike to Upper Twin Lake (5.3 miles, +1200 feet). In route, we have the option of climbing Battle Axe (1.8 miles, +840 feet). On Saturday, we will hike to the site of the Battle Creek Shelter (4.6 miles, +770 feet). We may also do a short day hike in the vicinity of the old shelter site. On Sunday, we return to Elk Lake (4.1 miles, +1170 feet). With luck, the weather will be good, but all backpackers are expected to be prepared for cold, wet weather. Please contact leader at cooperrm50@gmail.com to sign up or for further information.
| Rick Cooper |
| Jul 15 - Jul 24 | Sat-Mon | Grand Sawtooth Loop PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 503-362-9719. Driving RT: 1160 mi. Trip RT: 65 mi. Elevation: 12200 ft.
We will hike the Grand Sawtooth Loop described by Lorain in 'Backpacking Idaho'. The Sawtooth Mountains are in west-central Idaho northeast of Boise. The Sawtooth Mountains are rugged and beautiful, renowned for their craggy granite peaks, alpine meadows and wildflowers, and lovely lakes nestled in high glacial cirques. Lorain describes this trip as the premier backpacking tour in the Sawtooths. We will begin our trip from the trailhead near Grandjean Campground, spending our first night at Trail Creek Lake. We will continue around the loop in a clockwise direction staying on North Fork Baron Creek, Baron Lake, Upper Cramer Lake, Lake Ingeborg, and Elk Lake. This trip is rated hard. Total backpacking distance is 65 miles with 12,200 feet of elevation gain. Moderate pace. The weather is likely to be good, but be prepared for cold nights -- several of our camps are over 8,000 feet -- and for the possibility of rain or snow. We will be seven days on the trail with two additional travel days at each end. We will camp at the Grandjean Campground (at the trailhead) when not on the trail. Please contact leader at cooperrm50@gmail.com to sign up or for further information.
| Rick Cooper |
| Jul 27 - Jul 30 | Thu-Sun | Avalanche Valley on Mt Adams PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 541-752-0092. Driving RT: 330 mi. Trip RT: 25 mi. Elevation: 4600 ft.
One guidebook claims that “when good little hikers finally check in their boots, this is where they go.” This valley is a spring fed oasis underneath what might be some of the most impressive terrain on Mt Adams. On the explore day, we’ll at least go to the outlet of the Klickitat Glacier and hopefully ascend the Ridge of Wonders where we can look across Hell Roaring Canyon to the Bird Creek Meadows viewpoint (accessible by car). If things go well, there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing mountain goats from a much closer than average vantage. This trip has a strong off trail component but the terrain is open and we will not be in any hurry. Day 1: Muddy Meadows to Foggy Flats, 4-1/2 mi, +1600 ft. Day 2: Foggy Flats to Devils Garden to Avalanche Valley, 7 mi, + 1800 ft., – 1200 ft. Day 3: Explore. Day 4: Out the way we came in. | Tim Taylor |
| Aug 3 - Aug 6 | Thu-Sun | PCT from White Pass to Chinook Pass, Washington PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 541-760-6053. Driving RT: 500 mi. Trip RT: 29 mi. Elevation: 5575 ft.
The PCT is generally a well maintained trail. I will not have personally scouted the route, but the PCT is well documented. I have made this an easy backpack relative to my usual PCT backpacks. Daily mileage from 5.9 to max. 8.9. Daily gains from 146 to max. 2175. We will briefly enter Mt. Rainier National Park and should get some spectacular views. | Ray Drapek |
| Aug 8 - Aug 12 | Tue-Sat | Eagle Creek-West Eagle Loop/ Southern Wallowas PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 503-807-2082. Driving RT: 720 mi. Trip RT: 35 mi. Elevation: 7550 ft.
This trip will take us to the southern part of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, in the Wallowa Mountains of NE Oregon. The route is described in Lorain's 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon, 2nd Ed (Trip #86). This part of the Wallowas has all the highlights of the more popular areas of the Eagle Cap wilderness, but with enhanced solitude and a better chance of encountering wildlife. We will visit numerous high alpine lakes, meadows and mountain passes, with optional side trips including a rugged and view-packed hike to the top of Needle Point (9018'). For those who take side trips, total mileage could reach 39 miles with 10,100 feet in elevation gain. On Day 1, we will drive to the Boulder Park Trailhead and hike 4.4 miles (1200' gain) to Eagle Creek Meadow, with an optional evening side trip to Culver Lake. On Day 2, we will hike 7.4 miles (2420' gain) to Arrow Lake, with optional side trips to Eagle Lake or Needle Point along the way. On Day 3 we will enter the Trail Creek drainage, switchback our way up to Wonker Pass, then descend to Traverse Lake (2220' gain, 10.8 miles). On Day 4, we will drop from Traverse Lake to West Fork Eagle Creek, then ascend to a campsite at the headwater springs of Fake Creek (1700' gain, 8.9 miles). On the last day, we will hike 3.3 miles (2250' loss) to finish the loop, and will then make the long drive home. If we have multiple vehicles, we could shorten the trip by 6 miles and free up an extra day for camping at one of the alpine lakes and exploring the surrounding area. Please contact the leader at shoneelangford@gmail.com to sign up or for more information. | Shonee Langford |
| Aug 11 - Aug 13 | Fri-Sun | Indian Heaven Wilderness PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 503-810-2099. Driving RT: 250 mi. Trip RT: 7 mi. Elevation: 800 ft.
Explore Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Southern Washington. We will hike and camp among mountain lakes where swimming is an option and huckleberries are often plentiful. We'll move at a relaxed pace, appropriate for fit beginners, with options for day hiking. This trip corresponds to the peak of the Perseid meteor showers, and we will watch the night sky. | Larry Davis |
| Aug 17 - Aug 19 | Thu-Sat | West Waldo Lake Meeting Time: 10:30 AM. Meeting Place: Other. Leader Phone: 541-683-6837. Driving RT: 250 mi. Trip RT: 18 mi. Elevation: 2000 ft.
On this exploratory trip, guidebook author Bill Sullivan and his wife Janell, updating their book on the trails of the Central Oregon Cascades, will lead their 16th annual join Chemeketan/Obsidian backpack to the rarely visited west shore of Waldo Lake – after the mosquitoes are gone, and in time for the huckleberries. We’ll rendezvous on Thursday at 10:30am at the Middle Fork Ranger Station on Highway 58, west of Oakridge 2 miles. From there we’ll caravan 10 miles to Wall Creek Warm Springs Trailhead. While two drivers leave a shuttle car at the Gander Lake Trailhead (which will take an hour), the others can stroll half a mile to see the hot springs. Then we’ll drive to the Koch Mountain Trailhead and hike in on the Koch Mountain Trail 5 easy miles to a lakeside campsite, where we’ll spend two nights. On Friday Bill will lead a day hike group on a 7-mile loop to the Waldo Mountain Lookout and the Salmon Lakes. On Saturday we’ll hike 5 miles, mostly downhill, to the Gander Lake Trailhead, where we’ll shuttle cars back from Koch Mountain. Everyone will be home Saturday evening, in plenty of time to plan for the Monday morning solar eclipse. Limit 12. Contact leader Bill Sullivan at sullivan@efn.org or 541-683-6837 to ask about signing up. | Bill Sullivan |
| Aug 18 - Aug 21 | Fri-Mon | Honey Lakes Huckleberry quest, 3 Sisters PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 541-401-0368. Driving RT: 240 mi. Trip RT: 20 mi. Elevation: 2000 ft.
Arrive at Foley Ridge trailhead at 10:30, Friday. Hike 5+ miles and camp near Substitute Point..(.7 miles up to lookout site if you want). Saturday, break camp and hike 2 miles to huckleberry site...bring large ziplock for a couple hours of picking. whistles required. Hike a couple more miles to Honey Lakes area...set up camp. Sunday, explore Honey Lakes...fishing or more picking possible. Monday, hike out. 3 lunches, 3 breakfast, 3 dinners. Huckleberries plentiful 2016...no guarantees. | Rod Graves |
| Aug 24 - Aug 30 | Thu-Wed | Rogue River Trail PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 503-362-9179. Driving RT: 400 mi. Trip RT: 40 mi. Elevation: 3700 ft.
We will backpack the Rogue River Trail from Graves Creek to Illahee. This trip is along the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River and is described by Douglas Lorain in 'Backpacking Oregon’.
This section of the Rogue River is known for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and interesting history. The plan is for a leisurely trip with short days on the trail and ample time to enjoy the riches of this area.
We begin at Graves Creek and hike east, spending our first night at Russian Creek (5.8 miles). Our camps for the next three nights are at Kelsey Creek (9.6 miles), Mule Creek (7.9 miles), and Solitude Bar (8.2 miles). Our last day is an 8.3 mile walk to Illahee.
This trip is rated medium and the pace will be moderate. Total backpacking distance is 40 miles with 3,700 feet of elevation gain. The weather is likely to be sunny, hot and dry. If very hot, we will begin our days early and spend our afternoons relaxing in the river or a creek. As always, be prepared for the unlikely chance of cool, rainy days. We will be five days on the trail with an additional travel day at each end.
Bears are common in the area. Some campsites have electric fences or bear boxes, but not all. Please come prepared to hang your food or carry a bear canister. Also be aware that poison oak is abundant.
We will camp at the Almeda Campground when not on the trail. Please contact leader at cooperrm50@gmail.com to sign up or for further information.
| Rick Cooper |
| Sep 1 - Sep 9 | Fri-Sat | PCT from Stevens Pass to Suiattle River PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 541-760-6053. Driving RT: 625 mi. Trip RT: 83 mi. Elevation: 19879 ft.
The PCT is generally a well maintained trail. The route has not been scouted but the PCT is well documented. Rugged terrain, many climbs, and potentially stormy weather. "This stretch of the trail is often considered one of the most difficult on the entire PCT. It's also one of the most varied and beautiful. The landscape ranges from glacier-scoured bowls to old growth forests." (From The Pacific Crest Trail: A Hikers Companion). | Ray Drapek |
| Sep 20 - Sep 22 | Wed-Fri | Benson Lake PRE-REGISTER WITH LEADER! Leader Phone: 503-399-8615. Driving RT: 260 mi. Trip RT: 3 mi. Elevation: 400 ft.
This is an easy, end of season backpack into beautiful Benson Lake located off of McKenzie Pass Hwy 242 in the Mt. Washington Wilderness. We will hike 1.5 miles (no, that is not a typo) into the lake to set up base camp. The next two days we will drive to nearby trailheads for day hikes, returning to our lakeside camp each afternoon to relax, swim, or explore the nearby huckleberry meadows and neighboring lakes. This is rated medium-hard because of the two day hikes.
The itinerary is:
Sep 20 drive to trailhead near Scott Lake and hike into Benson Lake and camp (1.5 mile, 400 ft gain). There is an optional hike to Scott Mt (5.4 miles RT, 900 ft gain).
Sep 21 drive a short distance to Four-in-One Cone trailhead for a day hike (9 miles RT, 1,500 ft gain), and return to camp.
Sep 22 break camp and drive a short distance to Black Crater trailhead for a day hike (7.8 miles RT, 2,500 ft. gain). Drive back to Salem that afternoon.
| Roz Shirack |
