2012 New Student Trips Descriptions

Backpack the Wallowa Mountains Arrive by: 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Return: Tuesday evening, August 28, 2012 Trip Information Equipment List

The Wallowa Mountains are hidden in the northeastern corner of Oregon. Rising up from the mile-deep canyon of the Snake River on the Idaho border, these peaks reach almost 10,000 feet. Eagle Cap Wilderness Area covers most of these mountains, offering great backpacking. Join us on this amazing week-long hike through the high country, complete with alpine lakes, glacier-carved valleys, lush meadows and incredible sights. The group plans to hike an average of 6 miles per day carrying backpacks. Trails in the Wallowas are generally steep, but the scenery makes the effort worthwhile. This wilderness is one of the best kept secrets in the Pacific Northwest and looks much like the Swiss Alps.

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Hike and Sea Kayak Waldo Lake Arrive by: 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2012 Return: Tuesday evening, August 28, 2012 Trip Information Equipment List

Imagine floating on water so clear it looks like you are flying! Waldo Lake, sitting at 5,000 feet in the Waldo Lake Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains, is rated the 2nd clearest lake in the world. Sea kayak this huge lake, camping on islands, munching on huckleberries, and gazing at the snow-covered volcanoes in the distance. The trip includes a number of great hikes to surrounding mountains and waterfalls, so bring your hiking boots! No previous experience necessary, but we recommend folks be able to swim, have reasonable upper body strength for paddling, and be free of back, shoulder or wrist troubles.

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Deschutes River Rafting Arrive by: 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Return: Tuesday evening, August 28, 2012 Trip Information Equipment List

If you love paddling on a summer day, this trip is for you. On our longest rafting tour, we float for nearly 100 miles on Oregon’s Deschutes River, from its upper reaches to its confluence with the Columbia River. The Deschutes River basin is a desert environment covered with grasses, sagebrush, and stout juniper trees. It is inhabited by golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, deer, and other Eastern Oregon wildlife. Both novices and seasoned river rats will enjoy long, quiet stretches of water as well as challenging rapids such as Oak Springs and Box Car. Spend late afternoons hiking beautiful side canyons, swimming, or learning to cook excellent river cuisine. (Although everyone wears a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), we still recommend that you be able to swim.)

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Backpack the Mt. Adams Wilderness Arrive by: 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2012 Return: Tuesday evening, August 28, 2012 Trip Information Equipment List

Visit the alpine meadows, lakes, forests, and glaciers surrounding this huge dormant volcano, the second tallest peak in the Northwest. Camp in the meadows below massive glaciers and watch the beautiful sunsets. This wilderness has fantastic views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and the jagged Goat Rocks Mountains. The group plans to hike about 6 miles per day carrying backpacks. This is a great place to make new friends.

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Discover the Columbia Gorge Arrive by: 11 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2012 Return: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Trip Information Equipment List

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, where the mighty Columbia passes narrowly through the Cascade Mountains, is one of country’s great natural treasures. Explore the area’s extensive hiking trails, taking in sights of towering cliffs, soaring bald eagles, countless waterfalls. We’ll spend our nights at the Menucha retreat and conference center in a comfortable lodge featuring showers, bunk beds, and the most spectacular view from any swimming pool in Oregon!  For those in the group who are interested, we’ll also head into Portland for an evening of bouldering at the world’s largest bouldering gym.

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Backpack Bull of the Woods Arrive by: 11 a.m., Thursday, August 23, 2012 Return: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Trip Information Equipment List

Here’s your chance to get to know the beautiful outdoors that surrounds Lewis & Clark! Wander past waterfalls, narrow canyons, huge old-growth trees, rocky pinnacles, and bubbling streams in this spectacular wilderness area a few hours south of Portland in Oregon’s Cascade Mountain range. This group will be heading to the same area as the “Explore the Temperate Rain Forest” trip, but we’ll be backpacking with full packs into the farther reaches of this wilderness, and staying in tents each night.  Expect to cover three to ten miles a day on moderate to steep trails, and discover hidden swimming holes, awesome views of the surrounding mountains, and see trees that have been alive for a thousand years.

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Explore Opal Creek Arrive by: 11 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2011 Return: Wednesday, August 29, 2011 Trip Information Equipment List

Explore gorgeous old-growth forest in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, an exciting and rugged range of volcanic peaks and thick woods.  We’ll be staying in a lodge at night and venturing out on invigorating hikes each day, discovering the hidden beauties of this unique place and learning about the trees, plants and animals that live in the intricate forest ecosystem. Expect to hike about six miles a day with daypacks, as we enjoy the trails ancient groves of trees, natural history, and other special gifts of this magical place.

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For Information on Service-Oriented Breakaway Adventures Check Out:

  New Student Service Trips

 

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Feel Free to contact us with any questions at outdoors@lclark.edu