Backpacking
The co-chairs for backpacking are Joanne DeMay (971.237.9775 jodemay@comcast.net) and Allan King
(503.399.9990, kingalla@gmail.com). Backpackers of all skill
levels are invited to attend the Backpack class offered every spring. The trips listed
below vary in length and difficulty. The leader will help you determine if a particular
one suits your skill and conditioning level. As much as we would like to print accurate
information, weather and other factors might force changes to dates and trip routes. Most
backpacks will have a limit of 6-12 participants.Bulletin Write-ups:
to be in the Bulletin two months prior to the scheduled trip, (e.g., for a trip in April
send the write-up by March 1st).
2009 Backpacking Schedule
| Date |
Day |
Activity |
Leader |
Limit |
| April 28 |
Tues |
Backpack Class, 7 pm at the Den |
R Graves & J DeMay |
|
| June 5-7 |
Fri-Sun |
Columbia Gorge, Experienced |
L Barlow |
Limit 8 |
| June 12-14 |
Fri-Sun |
Indian Heaven Wilderness, Beginner |
J DeMay & A King |
Limit 12 |
| June 18-21 |
Thurs-Mon |
Enchanted Valley |
A King |
Limit 8 |
| July 2-6 |
Thurs-Mon |
Siskiyou Boundary |
R Cooper |
Limit 8 |
| July 10-12 |
Fri-Sun |
Opal Creek |
D Carter |
|
| July 9-13 |
Thurs-Mon |
Siskiyou Wilderness |
L Petersen |
|
| July 16-21 |
Thurs-Tues |
Lassen NP |
D Carter |
|
| July 24-26 |
Fri-Sun |
Deadfall Lakes |
B Sullivan |
|
| Aug 22-29 |
Sat-Sat |
Wind River |
B Custer |
Limit 10 |
| Aug 28-Sept 6 |
Fri-Sun |
PCT |
R Drapek |
Limit 6 |
| Aug 31-Sept 5 |
Mon-Sat |
Seven Devils |
K Huntzinger |
Limit 6 |
| Sept 23-30 |
Wed-Wed |
King’s Canyon |
J DeMay |
Limit 6 |
Backpacking Conditioning Assessment
For those considering backpacking, the Henline trail provides a good self-test for your
lungs and gear. Load your pack up with about 25 lbs, slip on those boots, and see what you
can do. To the old lookout site is a 2,156 foot climb over 3.8 miles of pretty good trail.
There's several viewpoints and rock out croppings from which you can see Mt. Jefferson as
well as the surrounding Cascades, including square-topped Battle Ax. You can also look to
the west and see the tallest mountain in Oregon's Coast Range, Marys Peak.
Directions: Take North Santiam Highway 22 (follow the sign that says to
Detroit Lake) for 23 miles to the town of Mehama and the second flashing yellow light at
the Swiss Village Restaurant. Take a left here onto Little North Fork Road and go 14.8
miles on the paved road until it changes to gravel. Continue straight on this potholed
road for 1.3 miles to a fork. Go left onto Road 2209 past the sign that says "Road
Closed 6 Miles Ahead". Exactly one mile after this fork, watch for the trailhead on
the left side of the road. (Henline Mountain Trail #3352) Park on the shoulder.
Rating: Time to the lookout site:
- 1 hr, 30 min +/- 10 minutes...Superior condition
- 2 hours +/- 10 minutes.....Medium condition
- 2 hr, 30 min +/- 10 minutes...Kinda slow
- Over 2 hr, 45 minutes....Reconsider going on any backpack rated medium
difficulty or harder.
Annual Backpackers'
Potluck
The annual Backpackers' Potluck is a gathering for backpackers, past, present and
potential to meet and socialize. Backpackers are invited to bring photographs and a few
select slides from their backpacking adventures to share. Participants will also hear
plans for future backpacks. Watch the bulletin for further information.
Activity information is provided to members in The
Chemeketan our monthly bulletin. To receive a complimentary two-month subscription to The
Chemeketan and for more information about membership, contact
the Membership Secretary. |