Spring Trips - College Outdoors - Programs

College Outdoors

Welcome to the Spring 2012 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.

Intro to Avalanche Field Clinic

Saturday, January 28
Signup Begins: Friday, December 2
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30 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.

Mount St. Helens Snowshoe #1

Sunday, January 29
Signup Begins: Friday, December 2
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 24 at 5:00 pm

Snowshoe on the trails of the Northwest’s most famous volcano! Weather permitting, we’ll head up one of the trails toward timberline on Mt. St. Helens to great views of this mountain, plus views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood in the distance. Snowshoeing takes a fair amount of energy, but it is great exercise and doesn’t require any previous training. If the weather’s bad, we’ll head for Mt. Hood’s east side.

Beginning Cross Country Ski Clinic

Saturday, February 4
Signup Begins: Friday, December 2
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 31 at 6:00 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!

Oregon Coast Hike

Saturday, February 4
Signup Begins: Friday, December 2
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 31 at 5:30 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.

Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #1

Sunday, February 5
Signup Begins: Spring Registration
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, January 31 at 5:00 pm

Hike the Dunes of the Oregon Coast

Friday, February 10- Sunday, February 12
Signup Begins: Friday, January 20
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 7 at 5:00 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!

Hike with Eagles, Hawks, and Sandhill Cranes

Saturday, February 11
Signup Begins: Thursday, February 2nd
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): None

On Saturday after brunch, see some of the biggest birds in the world! Just 45 minutes away, on one of the largest freshwater islands in the USA, you can spot all sorts of birds, including bald eagles and sandhill cranes with a wingspan of 6 feet! All this while you hike along the Columbia River in a wildlife area. 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 in time for dinner in the evening.

Mount Saint Helens Snowshoe #2

Saturday, February 11
Signup Begins: Friday, January 20
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 7 at 5:30 pm

Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #2

Sunday, February 12

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 101-09C. If a spot opens on the shuttle for the class, you can attend a one-time clinic. Check with College Outdoors for available space.

Mount Saint Helens Snowshoe #3

Saturday, February 18
Signup Begins: Friday, January 20
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 14 at 5:00 pm

Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #3

Sunday, February 19

Nature Photography Clinic

Friday, February 24 to Sunday, February 2 6
Signup Begins: Friday, January 27
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 21 at 5:00 pm

For this new trip we’ll head out to Cape Lookout State Park to work on our photography skills. We’ll spend the day on Saturday hiking and learning some basic photo skills while taking pictures of the northwest ancient forests. On Sunday we’ll go for short hike to give you more opportunities to bring home that perfect shot. Come stay in cozy yurts and learn how to bring your photography to the next level!

Yoga Coast Retreat

Friday, February 24- Sunday, February 26
Signup Begins: Friday, January 27
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 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.

Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #4

Sunday, February 26

Winter Camping Clinic

Saturday, March 3- Sunday, March 4
Signup Begins: Friday, February 3
Pre-Trip meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 28 at 5:00 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 sno, 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.

Eastern Columbia River Gorge Hike

Saturday, March 3
Signup Begins: Friday, February 3
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, February 28 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.

Ancient Forest Clinic at the Oregon Dunes

Friday, March 9- Sunday, March 11
Signup Begins: Friday, February 10
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 6 at 5:00 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.

Discover Portland: 4T Hike

Saturday, March 10
Signup Begins: Friday, February 10
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 6 at 5:30 pm

Come explore your local Portland trails! On this short day-hike, we’ll be leaving campus around 12 PM and returning around 4 PM. We’ll head out to either the Marquam Trail, Council Crest, or Forest Park. 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!

Cross-Country Skate/Ski Class #5

Sunday, March 11

SPRING BREAK TRIP: CALIFORNIA SURF CLINIC

Friday, March 23- Saturday, March 31
Signup Begins: Friday, January 20
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 13 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.

SPRING BREAK TRIP: HIKING AND KAYAKING REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK

Friday, March 23- Saturday, March 31
Signup Begins: Friday, January 20
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, March 13 at 5:00 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.

Winter Camping Clinic

Saturday, April 7- Sunday, April 8
Signup Begins: Friday, March 9th
Pre-Trip meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 3rd at 6:00 pm

Waterfalls & Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge #1

Saturday, April 7
Signup Begins: Friday, March 9
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 3 at 5:00 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!

Hike Hardy Ridge

Sunday, April 8
Signup Begins: Friday, March 9
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 3 at 5:30 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!

Deschutes River Rafting

Friday, April 13-Saturday, April 14
Signup Begins: Friday, March 16
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 10, 5:30 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!

Columbia Gorge Off-Trail Backpack/Navigation Clinic

Saturday, April 14-Sunday, April 15
Signup Begins: Friday, March 16
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 10, 5:00 pm

Leave campus on Saturday, and be back Sunday afternoon to study! This trip traverses the meadows and oak woodlands in the drier part of the Columbia Gorge. Much of the route is off-trail, and there are no maintained trails in most of this area, so we’ll be teaching map and compass skills. Spring is in full bloom in the Gorge by this time in April, and wildflowers will be popping up all over. Since the rainfall this east is minimal, plenty of sunny skies and spectacular scenery are expected.

Sea Kayak Service Project

Saturday, April 21
Signup Begins: Friday, March 30
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 17 at 5:30 pm

We’ve teamed up with 3CE for this service project as a part of Spring Into Action. We’ll either head to Scappoose Bay or Vancouver Lake to kayak and clean up the debris in the water. While we’re there, you are almost guaranteed to see bald eagles and other amazing waterfowl. We hope you can join us to give back to the beautiful waterways in the greater Portland area.

Waterfalls and Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge #2

Sunday, April 22
Signup Begins: Friday, March 30
Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM): Tuesday, April 17 at 5:00 pm

If you missed the first round, then here’s another chance to come see some of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the Northwest and some of the Gorge’s lesser-known waterfalls! See the description above for more info.

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

Contact Us

The College Outdoors Program is located in room 244 of Templeton Campus Center on the Undergraduate Campus.

Emailoutdoors@lclark.edu

Voice503-768-7116
Fax503-768-7876

DirectorJoe Yuska

College Outdoors Program
Lewis & Clark
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road, MSC 188
Portland, OR 97219