Welcome to the Spring 2013 College Outdoors Trip Schedule.

 

This web page was created for Lewis & Clark students and anyone else who is interested in the College or the College Outdoors program. Spaces on College Outdoors trips are available to currently enrolled graduate, undergraduate, and law students, as well as faculty and staff at Lewis and Clark College. Trip selection and dates are subject to change. Contact the College Outdoors office for the most up-to-date trip list.

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 Beginning Cross Country Ski Clinic

Saturday, February  2
Signup Begins: Friday, December 7
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 29 at 6 pm

This is a one-day trip to Mt. Hood for beginning cross-country skiers.  After a beginning ski skills clinic we will head out to explore the surrounding ski trails and practice the techniques we’ve learned.  The trip fee includes transportation, instruction, ski equipment, plus food if you’re on the Bon Appétit meal plan.  Take advantage of this great deal!

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Mount Hood Snowshoe #1

Saturday, February 2
Signup Begins: Friday, December 7
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 29 at 5:30 pm

Snowshoe on the trails around Oregon’s tallest volcano!  Weather permitting, we’ll head up one of the trails on the east side of Mt. Hood looking for great views of the mountain. Snowshoeing takes a fair amount of energy, but it is great exercise and doesn’t require any previous training.

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Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #1

Sunday, February 3
Signup Begins: Register for this on WebAdvisor or Drop & Add
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 29 at 5 pm

This course will give students the basic skills and knowledge to safely enjoy and further explore the sport of cross country skiing and skate skiing on their own. This course is worth 1 PE/A activity credit for PE/A 101.

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Oregon Coast Hike

Saturday, February 9
Signup Begins: Friday, December 7
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM):  Tuesday, February 5 at 5 pm

Hike this spectacular area of the coast!  We’ll hike a headland climbing 1,200 feet in elevation for some amazing views.  After the headland, we’ll stop by a sandy beach for a little relaxation before heading back to campus.

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Intro to Avalanche Field Clinic

Saturday, February 9
Signup Begins: Friday, December 7
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 5 at 6 pm

Learn the basics of snow science and avalanches in this class session and one-day field trip. We’ll snowshoe into the backcountry on Mt. Hood to learn how to evaluate snow and terrain conditions, use avalanche transceivers, and practice rescue strategies.  A mandatory 1.5 hour classroom session will introduce the concepts we will explore in the field.  No previous experience needed.  This clinic is a basic introduction to the concepts and skills that make up avalanche awareness.

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Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #2

Sunday, February 10

This course will give students the basic skills and knowledge to safely enjoy and further explore the sport of cross country skiing and skate skiing on their own. If a spot opens on the shuttle for the class, you can attend a one-time clinic.  Check with College Outdoors for available space.

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Hike the Dunes of the Oregon Coast

Friday, February 15- Sunday, February 17
Signup Begins: Friday, January 25
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 12 at 5 pm

On this trip we’ll head out to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park on the Central Oregon Coast for two days of great hiking.  This part of the coast has the largest coastal sand dunes in the world and sports remote sandy beaches.  We’ll hike through transition forests, sand dunes, and beaches during this weekend trip, and stay dry and warm in our deluxe yurts at night.  You’ll definitely want to join us to explore this part of the state that is uniquely Oregon!

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Mount Hood Snowshoe #2

Saturday, February 16
Signup Begins: Friday, January 25
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 12 at 5:30 pm

Snowshoe on the trails around Oregon’s tallest volcano!  Weather permitting, we’ll head up one of the trails on the east side of Mt. Hood looking for great views of the mountain. Snowshoeing takes a fair amount of energy, but it is great exercise and doesn’t require any previous training.

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Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #3

Sunday, February 17

This course will give students the basic skills and knowledge to safely enjoy and further explore the sport of cross country skiing and skate skiing on their own. If a spot opens on the shuttle for the class, you can attend a one-time clinic.  Check with College Outdoors for available space.

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Ancient Forest Clinic

Friday, February 22 to Sunday, February 24
Signup Begins: Friday, February 1
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 19 at 5:30 pm

Hike through ancient forests draped with moss, and learn about the plants, lichens, and trees in this important ecosystem.  Stay in a comfortable, heated yurt on the central Oregon coast. While the weather may be soggy as we hike during the day, the yurts are warm, dry, and cozy places to spend the night. This trip is meant for folks who want to learn more about some of the amazing trees, plants, and animals of the Northwest’s temperate rainforest.

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Yoga Coast Retreat

Friday, February 22- Sunday, February 24
Signup Begins: Friday, February 1
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM):  Tuesday, February 19 at 5 pm

Come have a relaxing weekend doing yoga with College Outdoors. This is also a great opportunity to spend some time on the beautiful coast of Oregon. We plan to do short hikes mixed with relaxing yoga sessions. We leave Friday for the coast, stay in yurts and return by Sunday afternoon. Come relax, learn how to do yoga, or further your skills, unwind, and join us on this unique, popular College Outdoors trip. No prior experience is necessary.

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Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #4

Sunday, February 24

This course will give students the basic skills and knowledge to safely enjoy and further explore the sport of cross country skiing and skate skiing on their own. If a spot opens on the shuttle for the class, you can attend a one-time clinic.  Check with College Outdoors for available space.

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Winter Camping Clinic

Saturday, March 2- Sunday, March 3
Signup Begins: Friday, February 8
Pre-Trip meeting (PTM):  Tuesday, February 26 at 5 pm

Learn the skills of winter camping, using gear sleds, wielding those fancy-looking shovels and snow saws, and staying overnight in snow shelters you build. This trip is moderately strenuous, and is recommended for those in good physical shape and who are in the outdoors. There is a mandatory 1.5 hour pre-trip meeting before we head out for the snow, since winter camping is not the sort of thing you want to jump into without a little background. Join us for this amazing weekend and learn how to live in the snow.

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Eastern Columbia River Gorge Hike

Saturday, March 2
Signup Begins: Friday, February 8
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 26 at 5:30 pm

Come explore the dry side (the east end) of the Columbia River Gorge, east of the town of Hood River.  This dramatic landscape, sculpted by the largest floods in earth’s geologic history, has spectacular hiking trails, lots less rain, and usually a good supply of sunshine.  Join us to get some exercise, fresh air, and to see spring come to the east side of the Cascade mountains.  There might be some poision oak to avoid and occasional ticks to brush off your clothes, but the scenery here is completely worth it!  We’ll hike up to some stunning viewpoints above the Columbia River.

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Birding at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Sunday, March 3
Signup Begins: Thursday, February 8
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): None

Come with us to spot eagles, sandhill cranes, tundra swans, and raptors. We’ll leave campus on Sunday at 12:30 PM to see some of the biggest birds in the world!  Just 45 minutes away, on the Washington side of the Columbia River, you can spot all sorts of birds, including bald eagles and sandhill cranes with a wingspan of 6 feet!  We’ll look for these amazing birds as we hike along the Columbia River in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.  Well, of course you’re not going to hike WITH the eagles or these other huge birds, but you’ll see them, flying overhead or in trees.  College Outdoors has binoculars, and spotting scopes, which you can use on this hike. You’ll be back by 5:30 PM- just in time for dinner!

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Watershed Tour: Coast Range to the Pacific

Friday, March 8- Sunday, March 10
Signup Begins: Friday, February 15
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 5 at 5 pm

On this new trip we’ll be looking at the expanse of a watershed, from its headwaters in the coast range to its bays and lagoons at the Pacific Ocean. During our hiking tour of these varied landscapes, we’ll see how water plays a role in the ecosystem and examine the differences in flora and fauna that rely on these specific environments. We’ll be staying at a cozy camp near the coast for the weekend, making for warm & dry evenings. Come join us for this awesome new trip!

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Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #5

Sunday, March 10

This course will give students the basic skills and knowledge to safely enjoy and further explore the sport of cross country skiing and skate skiing on their own. If a spot opens on the shuttle for the class, you can attend a one-time clinic.  Check with College Outdoors for available space.

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Discover Portland: Ride the Tram

Saturday, March 16
Signup Begins: Friday, February 22
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): None

Come explore your local Portland trails! On this short day-hike, we’ll be leaving campus around 12:30 PM and returning around 4:30 PM. We’ll hike the 4T trail which includes riding the Trolley (Streetcar) and Train (MAX), hiking about 3 miles to over Council Crest, and riding the Tram. Since the cost is so low & we won’t be having a pre-trip meeting, please bring your own gear (raingear & hiking shoes). Come see why Portland has some of the best hiking in the US!

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SPRING BREAK TRIP: CALIFORNIA SURF CLINIC

Friday, March 22- Saturday, March 30
Signup Begins: Friday, January 25
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30 pm

Learn to surf! Camp on bluffs just above the crashing Pacific Ocean surf on the central California coast.  This course is designed for beginner surfers, yet more experienced surfers are welcome to take the classes and improve upon their skills. This week of surf training covers all the basics.  Learn to read the surf conditions, choose the safest entry and exit point of the surf break, also paddling and wave catching techniques, standing up, turning and surfing etiquette. Get the best tips and coaching from the excellent surfing staff from UC Santa Cruz. All you need is your swimsuit, reasonable swimming ability, and a desire to hit the surf. We provide the rest.  Spectacular trails are there to explore after your surf sessions each day.  On top of that, the intriguing city of Santa Cruz and its world famous boardwalk are nearby.  Trip fee includes transportation, food, camping, surf instructors, and all the equipment (including surfboards and wetsuits, and any camping gear) you’ll need! You can get one credit in PE/A 142, “Wilderness Leadership” for participation during this trip. This class counts as an activity credit for graduation.

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SPRING BREAK TRIP: HIKING AND KAYAKING REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK

Friday, March 22- Saturday, March 30
Signup Begins: Friday, January 25
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 12 at 4:30 pm

Come stay at a lodge and cabins in Redwood National Park for Spring Break! We’ll spend the week doing hikes through huge redwood forests, and stunning beaches on the Pacific Ocean. We’ll also be able to spend part of the trip learning how to handle a kayak on the bays and lagoons adjacent to the ocean. It’s the start of spring in these spectacular forests, so the wildflowers will be blooming. The main lodge we’re renting has a huge kitchen for cooking meals, great resources for learning about redwood ecology, and has hot showers, too! Redwoods are the tallest living things in the world, don’t miss this opportunity to live among them for a week! You can get one credit in PE/A 142, “Wilderness Leadership” for participation during this trip. This class counts as an activity credit for graduation.

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SPRING BREAK TRIP: YOGA AT THE OREGON COAST

Monday, March 25- Friday, March 29
Signup Begins: Friday, January 25
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 12 at 4:30 pm

Visit the some of the tallest coastal dunes in the world, and recharge your body doing yoga on this new spring break trip!  The trip leaves Monday, March 25 of Spring Break, and returns Friday evening, March 29, so you have both weekends on either end of spring break to visit friends or catch up on homework.  Do yoga each day and explore the trails of the Oregon dunes, the ocean shores, and some of the old growth forests.  It’s a great way to see an amazing part of Oregon!  You can get one credit in PE/A 142, “Wilderness Leadership” for participation during this trip. This class counts as an activity credit for graduation!

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 Intro to Avalanche Field Clinic #2

Saturday, April 6
Signup Begins: Friday, February 8
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 2 at 5 pm

Learn the basics of snow science and avalanches in this class session and one-day field trip. We’ll snowshoe into the backcountry on Mt. Hood to learn how to evaluate snow and terrain conditions, use avalanche transceivers, and practice rescue strategies.  A mandatory 1.5 hour classroom session will introduce the concepts we will explore in the field.  No previous experience needed.  This clinic is a basic introduction to the concepts and skills that make up avalanche awareness.

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Hike Hardy Ridge

Sunday, April 7
Signup Begins: Friday, March 8
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 2 at 6 pm

Join us for this great hike along a newly completed trail in the western Columbia Gorge!  On this somewhat strenuous hike, we’ll follow a route through alder and Douglas-fir forests, climbing up to amazing views of the Gorge. We expect to hike about seven miles and gain 2100 feet in elevation, but the payoff is definitely worth the effort!

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Backpack Service Project

Saturday, April 13-Sunday, April 14
Signup Begins: Friday, March 8
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 9, 5 pm

We’ve teamed up with 3CE for this service project as a part of Spring Into Action. This trip will follow the lower Deschutes River in the Eastern Columbia River Gorge and, while we’re out, we’ll spend two hours collecting litter, pulling invasive species and/or cleaning up campsites for the BLM. Spring is in full bloom in the Gorge by this this time in April, and wildflowers should be popping up all over. Since the rainfall this far east is minimal, plenty of sunny skies and spectacular scenery are expected!

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Deschutes River Rafting #1

Friday, April 19-Saturday, April 20
Signup Begins: Friday, March 15
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 16, 5 pm

Central Oregon’s Deschutes River features seven major rapids in twelve miles, making this one of the premier rafting rivers in the state. You will get wet, and you need to paddle hard! This trip is not recommended for non-swimmers, although you’ll be led by experienced guides and everyone has to wear a PFD on the river.  If you like whitewater—this is an awesome time! 

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Sea Kayak Scappoose Bay

Saturday, April 20
Signup Begins: Friday, March 15
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 16, 5:30 pm

Sea kayak across Scappoose Bay and through the winding, narrow sloughs and wetland islands near Sauvie Island Wildlife Area on the Lower Columbia River, only 30 miles from Portland. It;s a wildlife refuge, complete with all that a wildlife refuge should have. Check out the flocks of migrating geese, swans, and cranes as well as all the spring flowers. Come paddle with us!

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 Waterfalls & Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge #1

Sunday, April 21
Signup Begins: Friday, March 8
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 16 at 4:30 pm

Join us to see some of the most spectacular wildflower and waterfalls in the Northwest! Spring is in full gear by this time in April, so the wildflowers are really out in full force and the falls will be much more impressive than they were during this dry summer and fall!

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Deschutes River Rafting #2

Friday, April 26-Saturday, April 27
Signup Begins: Friday, April 5
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 23, 5 pm

Central Oregon’s Deschutes River features seven major rapids in twelve miles, making this one of the premier rafting rivers in the state. You will get wet, and you need to paddle hard! This trip is not recommended for non-swimmers, although you’ll be led by experienced guides and everyone has to wear a PFD on the river.  If you like whitewater—this is an awesome time! 

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Sea Kayak Vancouver Lake

Saturday, April 27
Signup Begins: Monday, April 5
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 23, 5:30 pm

You are almost guaranteed to see bald eagles when you paddle this southern Washington lake. You’ll get splendid views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens on a clear day. The area is also a wetlands haven for wildlife and migratory waterfowl.

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Waterfalls & Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge #2

Saturday, April 27
Signup Begins: Friday, April 5
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 23 at 6 pm

Join us to see some of the most spectacular wildflower and waterfalls in the Northwest! Spring is in full gear by this time in April, so the wildflowers are really out in full force and the falls will be much more impressive than they were during this dry summer and fall!

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Senior Waterfalls & Edible Plants Hike

Monday, May 13th
Signup Begins: Friday, April 12
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): None

Join others of the L&C class of ‘13 to see some of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the Northwest! Spring is in full gear by this time in April, so the wildflowers are really out in full force. In addition to the wildflowers, we’ll also focus on seeking some of the edible plants in the Columbia Gorge. Come check out the views and learn how to ID some of the areas wild edibles!

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If you have any questions please call our main office at 503-768-7116 or email us.